A balancing act

Photo by Blake Israel

The embodiment of Georgia Tech generally seems to revolve around academic and professional development. While these are important, time away from school cannot be discounted.

Finding balance with social, personal, and professional growth can really benefit your future, dare I say even more than just participating in clubs as resume boosters.

As a second-year student, the emphasis of academic and professional development, as well as the pressures that come along with that, has become increasingly prevalent.

Several of my peers have been churning out internship and job applications, finding themselves behind in coursework. On top of that, exams and homework loom over students’ heads regardless of externalities.

As a Tech student, I have been guilty of overlooking the stresses of school, hiding emotions until I am unable to contain them any longer. I understand how important academics may be for my future, but this way of life is not sustainable. The importance of physical and mental health cannot be overstated.

There are numerous solutions to balance out the pressures of school. Believe it or not, having a life outside of the classroom is possible!

Despite the challenge of meeting new people during my freshmen year, I still found a way to join several organizations.

These organizations have developed me into a very well-rounded student, requiring extensive time management skills.

But more importantly, they have been loads of fun, allowing me to take myself away from schoolwork and enjoy new experiences while meeting new people.

Unfortunately, I have witnessed students joining organizations solely to build their resume. This is not only unfair to others who take time out of their day to participate, but also defeats the entire purpose of joining.

Perhaps the best part of clubs is the sense of community. I have met many of my good friends through extracurriculars, all of whom understand and share similar experiences at Tech.

They are here for an education as well, and learning from others’ struggles might just save you in the future.

Taking your mind off of coursework can be very beneficial to your health in addition to personal growth. Finding activities and hobbies that you like, and gathering with people that share similar interests could be the difference between looking forward to an event that motivates you to get through the week, or burning out in a hell week.

It does not have to be so much as joining an organization either. All it takes to work towards a more balanced lifestyle is prioritizing yourself along with your studies.

Simple daily activities such as working out or reading a book or taking a walk can serve as a break from studying, allowing your mind time to recover. Find something that interests you; an activity that you can look forward to doing.

One piece of advice I will leave you with is to never take your opportunities for granted. Sure, academia is important, but school truly is not everything. College is supposed to be among the best experiences in life, so take every opportunity to make this a reality. As Ferris Bueller once said: “Life moves pretty fast. If you don’t stop and look around once in a while, you could miss it.”

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