Hectic schedules demand relaxation

September 24, 2007 —

As my college career progresses, I feel I am learning a valuable lesson - to enjoy life. I know you're thinking you do this. But, I guarantee you are not doing it to your fullest potential. No one does.

We all find ourselves wrapped up in the worries of school, getting enough sleep and exercise, and eating nutritious foods. Oh yeah, did I mention you are supposed to have a social life too?

With school just beginning it seems like everyone has stress levels through the roof, which, of course, is normal. However, I feel less stressed than usual. For me, this is definitely a change. It's not that my classes are necessarily easier, but I am learning how to deal with the pressure and relax a little.

In high school, I pushed myself to the point of what I now call insanity. These worries weren't all school related, although a good majority of them were. I would stay up late and get up early, was involved in organizations and played sports all four years.

Needless to say, I ran my body down and learned it was time to take a break. I am stubborn when it comes to things such as this, so coming to this realization took a lot of time.

But, as a sophomore in college, I am now realizing what it is actually like to take this so-called "break." I could be a little off on things, but I try to use the simple things in life to make myself happy.

Nowadays, this relaxation period involves more than a 10-minute snack. It consists of spending long hours with old friends, eating too much ice cream, going for a long jog, and singing to music in my pajamas. These things are what life is all about.

Now, I'm not saying doing well in school and getting enough sleep isn't important. These things are very important. However, it is crucial to enjoy these things while doing them. When you have a night in which you can get a full eight hours of sleep, enjoy it.

And remember when a friend asks you to meet them for dinner on a night in which you have 400 pages to read for your classes. Go ahead and go out to eat, read your 400 pages, and get a little less sleep that night. So what? After all, college is all about the experience, right?

I have found myself going 24 hours without enjoying one thing I experienced throughout the day. My tasks for the day become just that - tasks. They are not enjoyable, and become another thing to check off my lifelong to-do list.

What I am learning is that we choose the attitude we're going to take, and to make the best of it. So many people walk around campus as if it is the end of the world. Be a little more optimistic. We all have things that happen in our lives but it's what you make of the situation that determines the way in which you will view and spend your life.