For college students at Southern Nazarene University, balancing social life and academic success can be difficult. Juniors Tiana Frantz and Alex Batz, however, have found strategies that make it possible.
Because they are involved in a variety of extracurricular activities, finding time to devote to each one can be challenging.
“A challenge I find is being able to give all three aspects of my college life- salt, worship, and academics- the same amount of priority,” Frantz expressed.
For Batz, who participates in various Bible studies and worship groups, plays on the football team, and is studying theology, the greatest challenge is finding the maturity and humility needed for effective time management. Despite the challenges, both Batz and Frantz have developed strategies for helping them maintain a balance in their college lives.
Frantz prioritizes her school work first, even if that means stepping away from others. “I think it is important to know when you need to be alone. Sometimes staying productive means I need to lock myself in a room before I can go out and enjoy company with other people,” she explained.
Similarly, Batz has learned the value of saying no. “I create great boundaries with my friends and the groups I am involved in,” he voiced. “It is easy to say yes, especially when you’re at school, but overfilling your plate can also bring a great deal of stress into anyone’s life.”
For both students, setting boundaries and making academics the top priority has been key to maintaining balance.
Having learned these experiences firsthand, both Frantz and Batz encourage students to develop their own strategies for managing social and academic life. “Do not overcommit, but at the same time know your limits,” Frantz advised.
Batz echoed with advice of his own. “Always make time for what is important and never feel too cool to ask yourself if you are on top of everything,” he concluded.
The challenge of balancing an active social life with academics is a common one for students at Southern Nazarene University. But as Batz and Frantz show, balance is often achieved through discipline and boundaries. Their advice offers a roadmap for all students working to find their own sense of balance.
Photo by: Maddy Hada