You learn a lot of lessons freshman year, and not all of them are found in class. A lesson that I have quickly learned is to always try and save some free time, but always get work done. First things first, always get work done in between classes (if at all possible). I recently purchased a hammock off of Amazon with a gift card I was given for graduation. Every afternoon after lunch, I sit in my hammock and get as much homework done as I possibly can before class or practice. I quickly realized after getting to school that during the day when most students are in classes, there is not much going on — making it prime time to get work done.

The reason for making sure to get work done is because the time hanging out with friends can usually turn out pretty great. Within the last week, I have gone cliff jumping, played guitar and sang in front of people, went camping, went to tea time, went stargazing, managed to catch the Clemson game and witnessed 14 people get baptized. I should probably explain what some of these things are and how we got there. Starting with tea time, my friends and I go every Sunday to a place called Potter’s Place at four o’clock where we just sit around drinking tea, talking and praying. But, that time is set out every week so that we know that will happen, just like going to class.

The reason to keep free time is because you never know what will happen. Monday night, my friends and I were sitting in the upstairs part of the coffee shop on campus. We were watching a movie, just relaxing after a typical Monday, when all of a sudden a senior in charge of the student association walks up to us and goes, “I heard you guys play instruments and sing.” We replied with an awkward yeah; he then explained how it was "Late Night Jamz" in the coffee shop, but the band had cancelled and he was in need of people to fill in. So, we grabbed our instruments from our dorms. We ended up improvising for about 45 minutes, just playing guitars and ukulele while singing some worship songs as people sat in the coffee shop doing work. Wednesday night, we were sitting around and decided to walk around the land of Potter’s Place where we go on Sundays. We ended up sitting in a field stargazing for a while. Eventually, we went back to campus and, on our way back, managed to connect with some people who lived nearby and just talked to them for a while. Thursday night we watched the Clemson game (and may have made a Wal-Mart trip for some chips during half time). Friday night, walking out of dinner, I walked into a friend who said, “Hey Jake, you want to go camping?” Not having to worry about homework, I said, " Yeah, let’s go!" I then proceeded to spend Friday night around a campfire, sleeping in a hammock, enjoying nature with two other guys just talking and relaxing. Earlier in the day Friday, 13 of my fellow students and one of my track coaches all got baptized and we were able to see it. Then Saturday, we went cliff jumping. Again, I was able to go out and not to have to worry about whether I was going to get my assignment in on time.

The reason for telling you all of the fun things we did is to show the importance of saving time. Because my friends and I use good time management techniques, we are able to enjoy time together and have fun. We are able to make memories and take photos and share the things we do, and people get jealous because they do not have time to do those things. But really, instead of reading after lunch or working on an assignment in between classes, they waste time and then spend their nights cramming in homework instead of relaxing and enjoying their evenings.

So,to all those who have not managed to figure it out yet at this point in the semester, be productive during the day so you can relax at night (and maybe even go to sleep earlier if you want to).