This was originally published in the Vandoo November Edition!
Written by: Emily
Whenever November rolls around, student life gets crazier. Mid-terms, essays, assignments and labs start pouring in. Family issues, rifts between friends and the ever-popular “mid-term crisis” collide and contribute to the mess. As fun as it can be to live in this exciting, fast-paced lifestyle, let’s face it – it’s overwhelming!
I mean, some of us have jobs to worry about – maybe even two jobs. A full course load, mouths to feed and a host of extra-curricular activities to tend to. So often, we fill our schedules with too many tasks to complete. When it comes to commitment, where do you draw the line?
How much is too much?
Over-commitment is a problem I encounter in my own life. I want to get everything I can out of the university experience. During my first year, I neglected to get involved. So this time around, I decided to look into the extra-curricular opportunities at York. There are so many options – religious groups, activist circles, sports teams, drama productions and of course a variety of field-related clubs, too! But how much time do I have to participate in these things on top of my academic responsibilities? I mean, I’m already taking more than a full course load. If I choose to take up a job, do I have to forgo a social life?
I have friends working jobs, attending school and balancing relationships on top of volunteering. Sometimes, it isn’t all that glorious. In fact, I get tired just listening to them. There comes a point where it’s just too much.
It’s easy to get involved and also very beneficial. It’s also easy to over-commit. Maybe you’re like me and you have trouble saying no, or maybe you like to think you can handle any challenge that comes your way – which is a great attitude, but a potentially reckless one, too. Perhaps you’ve never even encountered the stress of over-commitment (I commend you).
Whatever the case, I have some pointers.
Simplify. If you can’t handle it, you can’t handle it. Minimize stress by choosing wisely based on what you must do. Balance that with what you want to do. Chances are, if you aren’t passionate about it and don’t need it, you won’t do a good job anyway.
Stop worrying about the expectations of others. I know it sounds cliché, but it’s so true. We get swindled into things all the time just because we want to keep other people happy. There isn’t anything inherently wrong with that, but your life shouldn’t be about people pleasing. If you sign up for too much for the sake of others and burn yourself out, you won’t be pleasing anyone – least of all, yourself.
Don’t be afraid to take on new responsibilities. This is what maturation into adulthood is all about and university is an ideal threshold through which to get there. Just make sure you’re choosing the right path.
Your life, your path – good luck!