As a busy student, it may seem as though there isn’t enough time in the day to get everything done that you need to. Trying to finish copious amounts of school assignments and juggling job/internship/volunteer schedules is hard enough. Then there’s grocery shopping, doctor’s appointments, extracurricular activities, and chores that need to be done as well. If you’re trying to maintain some sort of social life too? It’s exhausting just thinking about trying to “adult”, getting everything done that you need and want to do before the week’s end, but it’s a reality that is all too common for the everyday college kid. We’ve all heard it before: work hard when you’re young so you can play later. This is sound advice, but you have to take it in stride. Giving yourself a little time to chill out is key.

I know what you may be thinking. “Millennials are already labeled as lazy; I don’t want to prove them right”. You can still be a productive individual and take time out for yourself. Put aside homework for an hour to take a walk and get some fresh air. Ask in advance to cut back on hours at work during a week you anticipate on being especially swamped. Instead of running errands all day on your day off, try running an errand or two a day during the rest of the week so you can really enjoy that work-free day. This may even mean really evaluating whether or not you can continue on doing these things that you want to do. Soak up knowledge while sweating it out; take some study material on the treadmill. You’d be surprised how you can sneak some “me time” into your schedules.

Maybe you’re thinking, “This sounds great and all, but I just don’t have the time!” That’s literally what I thought during Fall 2015. Between juggling three jobs and 6 classes without giving myself sufficient time to rest, I literally worked myself so hard, and took on too much responsibility that my stress manifested into physical issues, resulting in exhaustion and a stay in the hospital. There’s a finer line than you think between “being on your grind” and “being in a hospital bed”. Your health needs to come before anything else. You can be most productive when you get enough rest.

I know this is concept is easier said than done. Life is a balancing act; and it’s ok to be out of balance. I’m still working on finding mine. But the important part is recognizing when you’re doing too much. Give yourself a break before your body decides to forcefully help you out.

By all means, you can conquer the world; just don’t forget take a nap every now and then.