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Health and Wellness

The Pros And Cons Of Having Too Much Free Time

It's not as easy as it sounds.

Morgan Cotner

Nov 10, 2023

North Carolina State University

13676

Alarm Clock

While the idea of free time without a stressful job or an abundance of schoolwork looming over your head may sound like a dream, it can be a nightmare at times. Having a couple of days to decompress is needed for a healthy mind and body. But when too many days go by, it can cause a downward spiral of thoughts and feelings.

As a recent jobless graduate, I was ecstatic to be free from responsibility and take a break from my normal life. That was until I realized just how responsible I had been and needed to be to continue being self-sustained. I learned a few things in this month of unemployment that encouraged me to find a job as soon as possible.

PRO: More time for self care.

smiling woman wrapped in gray blanket to care for self

Photo by Taisiia Stupak on Unsplash

As we all know, caring for yourself is beneficial for your mind and body alike. Sleeping in a bit longer than usual, pampering yourself in the bath/shower, and buying small treats here and there can be a positive influence. With a break from responsibility, you become solely focused on yourself.

CON: More time to overthink.

Photo by Stephan Louis on Unsplash

There are twenty-four hours in a day and seven hundred twenty hours in an average month. You think about situations and events even in your dreams. All those hours are spent thinking about things and delving deeper into them. It turns into an endless abyss of thoughts. Definitely not favorable in a time of no to low stress.

PRO: More time to spend with family and friends.

friends laughing and talking outside, having a great time together

Photo by Priscilla Du Preez 🇨🇦 on Unsplash

Family and friends are important rocks in your life that will be there at all times. It's important to cherish them and make memories. Whether it's out shopping, out to dinner or just lounging around the house, all options pose a chance to spend time together.

CON: More time to get into trouble.

police car with lights on during night time

Photo by Michael Förtsch on Unsplash

Having freedom allows you to go after what sounds exciting without fully thinking through the actions or consequences. It can lead you down the wrong path even when things are going right.

In every aspect of life, there is always a limit to how much of that thing is actually necessary. After having such a large amount of time to spare, I realized I need to keep busy in order to keep my life on track. That may not be the case for everyone. Some individuals may find they need a longer period of time to function. It's all about finding what works for you.

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Student Life

How To Prepare For The Library: Finals Edition

10 ways to prepare for finals week—beginning with getting to the library.

University of Dayton

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How To Prepare For The Library: Finals Edition

Photo by Clay Banks on Unsplash

It’s that time of year again when college students live at the library all week, cramming for tests that they should have started studying for last month. Preparing to spend all day at the library takes much consideration and planning. Use these tips to help get you through the week while spending an excessive amount of time in a building that no one wants to be in.

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Who knows where we would be without them.

Michigan State University

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Disney magic for New Year!

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Butler University

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Recommended for you

The Pros And Cons Of Having Too Much Free Time

It's not as easy as it sounds.

PRO: More time for self care.

CON: More time to overthink.

PRO: More time to spend with family and friends.

CON: More time to get into trouble.

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10 ways to prepare for finals week—beginning with getting to the library.

Who knows where we would be without them.

1. Thank you for laughing at my jokes, even when they really aren’t funny.

2. Thank you for singing unbearably loud with me all the time.

3. Thank you for letting me vent to you for hours about anything and basically being my personal therapist.

4. Thank you for ordering pizza with me at 2 in the morning.

5. Thank you for all the movie days when we don’t feel like moving.

6. Thank you for being my workout buddy everyday.

7. Thank you for sharing your closets with me.

8. Thank you for taking naps with me at random hours during the day.

9. Thank you for cleaning our home with me when we absolutely need to.

10. Thank you for all the rides when it’s late and you don’t want me to walk home alone in the dark.

11. Thank you for studying with me in our kitchen when we didn't want to go the library.

12. Thank you for making dinner with me.

13. Thank you for helping with my hair, makeup and outfit every time we go out.

14. Thank you for taking countless ugly pictures with me.

15. Thank you for not judging me when I go too long without showering.

16. Thank you for making our apartment feel like a second home.

17. Thank you for being there through all of our boy troubles.

18. Thank you for giving me a hug when I feel homesick.

19. Thank you for getting excited with me when one of us gets a good grade on an exam.

20. Thank you for still being my friend and not judging me when I say or do dumb things.

21. Thank you for telling me what I should do when I am sick.

22. Thank you for dancing horribly with me everywhere we go.

23. Thank you for staying up super late with me when we aren’t tired or can’t sleep.

24. Thank you for being super weird with me.

25. Thank you for all the unforgettable college memories.

26. And most of all, thank you for being the best friends a girl could have.

I may or may not be stressing right now.

1. "What do I have to study for?"

2. "What class do I need to study for the most?"

3. "I’m going to ace this."

4. "Focus!"

5."I have no idea what I'm reading."

6. "I should call my smart friend about this."

7. "I’m going to fail. I’m going to fail."

8. "I’m dropping out of school."

9. "What grade do I have to get on the final to pass the class?"

10. "Oh, no, I have to do good."

11. "I shouldn’t have procrastinated all semester."

12. "I wanna go to bed."

13. "We did not learn this!"

14. "I should go get food."

15. "Why do we even have finals?"

16. "I don’t want to be at the library."

17. "Get off your phone."

18. "I can watch Netflix for like 20 minutes and then go back to studying."

19. "I shouldn’t have watched Netflix."

20. "You have to study now!"

The "Happiest Place on Earth" has a lot of characters with some pretty great advice.

Remember you’re the one who can fill the world with sunshine. — Snow White

The past can hurt. But the way I see it, you can either run from it or learn from it. — Rafiki

You don't have time to be timid. You must be bold and daring. — Lumière

If watching is all you're gonna do, then you're gonna watch your life go by without ya. — Laverne

Sometimes the right path is not the easiest one. — Grandmother Willow

Always let your conscience be your guide. — Jiminy Cricket

To infinity and beyond. — Buzz Lightyear

Life is a journey to be experienced, not a problem to be solved. — Pooh

Let it go. — Elsa

If you can't say something nice, don't say nothin' at all. — Thumper

Today's special moments are tomorrow's memories. — Genie

It's a time of love, family, memory-making, and gift-giving. But also a time of stressing over the perfect gift.

Money

Socks

Blankets

Gift Cards

Hoodies and Sweatpants

Pajamas

Candles

A Fish

CDs

Movie Tickets

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