Find a Balance
YOUR TURN
Write and Reflect
List your current priorities in order of importance. What does your list suggest about why you consider some things more important? Less important? Have you put any items in the wrong place? What should you change, and why? In a journal entry reflect on your current list of priorities, what you should change, and why.
Another aspect of setting priorities while in college is finding an appropriate way to balance your academic schedule with the rest of your life. Social activities are an important part of the college experience. Time alone and time to think are also essential to your overall well-being.
For many students, the greatest challenge of prioritizing is balancing school with work and family obligations that are equally important and are not optional. Good advance planning can help you meet these challenges, but you also need to talk with your family members and your employer to make sure they understand your academic responsibilities. Most professors will work with you when conflicts arise, but if you have problems that can’t be resolved easily, be sure to seek support from the professionals in your college’s counseling center. They will understand your challenges and help you manage and prioritize your many responsibilities.
