Finding a balance between school and social life
By Amber Stentzel
Sometimes, finding a balance between school/work and friends/family can be difficult. There are times when you might have mountains of homework and not enough time to do it because of work. On those days, I always find that my friends or family members want to hang out, and I have to tell them, “I’m too busy, sorry.” Doing homework and maintaining a job is important, but it can contribute to loneliness and burnout when you aren’t making time for friends and family. As students, it’s important to make sure your priorities are straight, but also make sure you aren’t disregarding those important relationships.
Often, I find myself putting aside important homework to spend time with my friends or family. Spending time with loved ones is important, but trying to catch up on the work that could have been done in that time can feel overwhelming. However, many Owasso students have busy schedules but have found a way to balance their relationships. How are these students able to balance all these things while not feeling overwhelmed?
Photo of Brooke Davis taken by Amber Stentzel
Brooke Davis is a hard-working junior with three jobs. She works at Olive Garden for most of the week and works two other jobs on the days she does have off. Davis usually has Fridays and Saturdays off; she spends those days with her loved ones.
“Plan out your week,” Davis encourages, “I make sure to plan things around my work.”
It can be difficult to think ahead and plan so far in advance, but it’s good to be prepared and not plan things at the last minute. It shows respect for the other person's schedule and time. It also shows that you value that person enough to plan to hang out in advance.
“I can work three jobs and still have a social life. I just kind of make it work,” Davis smiled. “I text my friends immediately when I know I’m going to be free to hang out.”
Setting aside time to hang out with friends and family becomes intentional when you are busy.
“It's more important when I hang out with them [loved ones]… and I make the most out of it,” Davis reflected.
Photo of Evan Carpenter taken by Shana Davis
Another example is Evan Carpenter, a dedicated senior who usually has a heavy homework load. He is taking a college-level class at TCC, advanced placement (AP) classes and is in wind ensemble (band class). Taking hard classes and band has forced him to figure out how to keep up with his relationships and homework.
Sometimes, you might be too busy to dedicate certain times to hanging out with friends and doing homework; Carpenter has figured out that he can do both at the same time.
“Sometimes I like to use that as a way to do homework,” Carpenter said. “We can hang out but also keep each other productive.”
It can be easy to push work aside for later, but as that work piles up, it makes it harder for you to hang out with loved ones.
“I might not be the best, but I try not to procrastinate and keep up with things,” Carpenter admitted.
As Carpenter explains, having goals can help you stay motivated to get your work done and have time to spend time with those you care about.
“Have goals to look forward to in the future,” Carpenter emphasized.
By using his time to the fullest, setting goals and being intentional about his friendships, Carpenter has found the motivation to maintain his relationships, even with a heavy workload.
Photo of Brady Hugueley taken by Amber Stentzel
Brady Hugueley is a diligent junior with a busy schedule. He is taking a college-level class at TCC, running track and working. He usually goes straight to work after track practice. He has learned how to make time for his friends and family and also keep up with his work.
“I use my time wisely in class,” Hugueley emphasized, “I spend that class time trying to finish my homework…after work, I get straight to doing my homework.”
It can be easy to get distracted and procrastinate, but when you have the goal in mind to spend time with friends and family, it can make it a lot easier.
“I manage my time well enough to where I have time for both,” Hugueley explained.
Hugueley explained how he can plan certain times for doing homework and socializing. He can hang out with friends for an hour, and for the hour after that, he will compensate by doing homework.
“Since I don't spend time with friends often, I try to enjoy the moments I can hang out with them,” Hugueley commented.
Hugueley became more appreciative of the quality time he had with loved ones as his schedule got busier.
Figuring out how to balance your schedule so that you aren’t overwhelmed is important. There are many different ways to balance your schedule. Davis has figured out how to plan her weeks better. Carpenter was able to figure out how to combine hanging out with friends and being productive. Hugueley learned how to do his work immediately and set certain times for homework and friends. Finding balance looks different for everyone, but it’s important to make sure you are making time for necessary work and meaningful relationships.