By the time this publishes, the first week of classes will be over. We'll have made it through the bliss of syllabus week and be moving on with the rest of the semester. But as I go through syllabus week and work on getting back into the swing of things, I've decided that I want to put myself first this year. Writing that sounds ridiculous. I should never have to choose to put myself first, it should always be that way. But the fact is that everything else gets in the way sometimes.

Whether it be school and grades or clubs and work or everyone else in your life, it's hard to know when you should really be saying no. I knew I had put myself in a bad position last semester. I took on too much and though I made it out okay, it's not an experience that I want to have again. So, I've been trying to think of ways to reevaluate what I do and why I do it.

First, I have to remember that above all else, anything I do I should be passionate about. If I'm not happy doing something, I'm putting myself in the backseat for the needs of others and I'm not doing that anymore. Of course, there are exceptions to this rule. We're not all so lucky to be working our dream jobs. But that doesn't mean you can't work somewhere that you like. I've worked really horrible jobs and really great jobs and now I know what I deserve when I walk into work.

I also try to think about what an activity is doing for me. Again we all have to do things we don't want to do but if it helps us achieve our goals, it's usually worth it anyway. But on the other hand, just because you like doing something doesn't mean you should. Bend out of your comfort zone a little and look for the things that challenge you. It's going to do more for you than sticking to something you're already good at.

At the end of the day, what's really most important is knowing when you're happy and when you're not. If you're involved in an activity that makes you miserable and you're only doing it because you think you have to, for the love of God please just quit. You're not helping anyone, especially not yourself and no matter what, there's never anything that you need to do.

It is your life. Please, please only do what makes you happy and what makes you a better person. Turn some things down. Say no to the things you don't want to do and pursue the things you do. Choose yourself. There's absolutely nothing wrong with needing time for yourself too. You're not perfect, you're you and that's much better anyway.