Breath...
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ISSUE: 09/13/07 > OPINION > Breath...
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Editor Courtney Drake is a junior Journalism major. |
How many times have we heard our elders tell us to take time out for ourselves? Or that infamous quote, “Stop and smell the roses”? “That’s a good idea,” we reply. Or “I’ll be sure to do that.” But we don’t.
Today everyone is moving more – and faster, especially college students. Classes. Homework. Extracurricular activities. Internships. Friends. Who takes time – or has time –for oneself?
I run around like the proverbial chicken with its head cut off, not taking time to breathe and take everything in. Between classes, work on the Vision and settling back into college life, spontaneously hanging out with friends hasn’t been an option unless it’s planned, which defeats the purpose of spontaneity.
I’m not saying I wish things were different; I’m very blessed to go to a school I love and have an incredible job. Oddly enough, I enjoy being on the go and always having somewhere to be. But, last weekend everything caught up; getting off campus became my first priority.
Fortunately, my roommate invited me to her pool, and I don’t think I’ve ever been more thrilled about being poolside. It felt amazing to relax, laugh with best friends and not have anything else to worry about for an afternoon.
Those moments led to a light bulb blazing: I really should take time to forget about stress and have fun, even for only a few hours. Burnout doesn’t help; it only makes me go crazy sooner. And sitting at my desk trying to motivate myself to do homework or write that story while I check Facebook every five minutes isn’t helping either. “Why not take a 30-minute break and watch TV, grab coffee or call a friend?” I ask myself. It really wouldn’t hurt anything, and it might rejuvenate me so I can be productive.
This leads to my second point: It’s OK to say no. That sounds more like something said it a sex-ed class, but honestly, if there’s too much on your plate and someone asks you to help them out, you have the right to turn them down. If your conscience won’t let you, offer to help find someone to do the task or take a portion of it instead of the entire thing. You help the other person, but help yourself as well.
College, I’m told, will be one of the best times of my life. So far, I agree, but it isn’t because of classes or homework; it’s friendships I’ve made and the time I spend outside the academic world enjoying life.
I know I’m not the first person to make these insights, but that doesn’t make it any less important. “Me” time that so often comes last will serve a purpose if you put it higher on the totem pole.
