Viewpoint: Finding the balance

To college students, time management can be lumped in with the likes of the Loch Ness monster and the Easter Bunny. In other words, a myth of epic proportions.

They will also be the first to tell you that during the four years of school, everything is out of whack.

Rushing to classes (if we make it at all), dangerous levels of procrastination and sleepless nights spent attempting to will an essay into existence mark a normal week. But as we indulge in all of the regular trappings of the college, there is one thing we must strive to add to our academic pursuits: balance.

Navigating the treacherous terrains of college life is by no means an easy task. Students must spend the same amount of time worrying about internships and classes as they do about job prospects in our faltering economy.

Finding balance in one’s life can become an almost insurmountable task.

Even the most successful people in the world admit that finding enough time in the day to complete all their tasks is an impossible feat at times. Sometimes in life, it isn't about being perfect but striving for perfection that is important.

In other words, you may aim for perfect balance and even if you don’t achieve it (you won’t!) you will most likely be a lot closer than you would have been had you not tried at all.

College students tend to lump all of their eggs in one basket. We have heard about those student athletes who eschew classes in hopes of a professional sporting career, but what about those who give up social life for academic pursuits?

We have learnt to lambast the athletes and laud the academics, but is their really a difference?

Who is to say the kid who only studies but does not develop other skills is any better off than the stereotypical athletes who work out instead of reading?

Living a balanced life allows students to not only fully enjoy the college experience but also to actually enjoy the crucial developmental years spent at school.

But how can we achieve balance?

For students looking to achieve the elusive goal of zen-like balance in their daily lives I suggest examining how you spend your time. 

There is an excellent video from Randy Pausch that sums up the prospect of perfect time management and what it should mean. In the video entitled Time Management Pausch said: 

“Time management is not for me to become some zen like super productive being, it’s so I can spend more time doing the things that I want”

Pausch, who has since passed away, was dying at the time from a tumor. To him time was of the essence. We often hear the mantra “time wasted is never regained." Pausch actually lived it.

I often look to the story of Myron Rolle for inspiration.

The former football player was once touted as a high draft pick in the NFL after impressing during is college career at Florida State University. He also won the prestigious Rhodes Scholarship. After graduating school he was faced with the tough decision of going pro or pursing his academics.

Eventually, he decided to take a year off and study in England, he is now a member of the Pittsburg Steelers.

Now, we can’t all by like Rolle, surely he is an anomaly, but if he can do so much surely we can do a bit more to be well-rounded individuals.

As Pausch said, time management is not a quest to become a uber-productive being, it’s a planning process that can help you enjoy your life more.

Imagine not having to stress out about a paper the night before or being forced to abuse Wikipedia to no end in order to finish a term paper. When we plan well and have balance not only are we less stressed, we can give a greater effort.

And for those rooted in academia, why not try something new, take up a new skill. Join a student club, stay physically fit and step outside your comfort zone.

A well rounded you is a better and ultimately happier you.

Terrance Ross is a Summer 2012 USA TODAY Collegiate Correspondent. Learn more about him here.

This story originally appeared on the USA TODAY College blog, a news source produced for college students by student journalists. The blog closed in September of 2017.