College expenses, GPA obsessions, and increased workloads. Life can get stressful, overwhelming, and demanding as college students are prone to encounter the daily pressures of the average college lifestyle. In fact, with the growing rates of anxiety and depression, we have no choice but to find new ways to find balance in our everyday life. College can allow us to make new decisions, and the hardest decision most students must take is how to balance work, school, and relationships. Problems are inevitable, so what’s the best way of dealing with them?

Many students struggle with time management.  Today nearly one in ten full time, traditional-age students are employed at least 35 hours per week, according to Laura W. Perna’s article “Understanding the Working College Student.” School administrators recommend working no more than 10-15 hours per week, which seems impossible with all the expenses. Taking time to plan and organize your days can decrease the amount of pressure the student feels.

Try creating an agenda to arrange time for each subject, and be aware of any assignments, quizzes, or tests coming your way. If you’re a techie, try Google Calendar. Some app designers have created helpful task managing programs such as Any.do and Wunderlist. Don’t wait until the last minute and don’t let things get in the way of your education.

Just like work, relationships with the people around you need time and effort. Whether it’s your family, friends, or meeting new people, you need time to spend with those you care for. This becomes a challenge with homework and activities. Communication is key to sustaining quality connections with people around you. Whenever it’s possible to get time to chat with a friend or family member, make it count.

When work gets hectic and school gets overwhelming, you still need time for yourself. Many people go through life taking care of others’ needs instead of their own. It’s simple to forget our own desires. Setting aside a moment of pure focus on yourself can be rewarding. Short meditation breaks are proven to help decrease anxiety in students. Getting enough sleep is also highly important for both health and academic achievement.  Lack of sleep can increase stress levels and lead to serious health issues. Take time to direct your attention to what helps you feel confident. The better you feel about yourself, the better luck you’ll have improving the important areas of your life.