How to Balance It All

Life is busy. There is no easy way to put it. Between attending classes, working a job (or two), and seeing friends and family, it all adds up! It is easy to get overwhelmed. At Elgin Community College, we understand. We want to remind you that you are not alone. 

Here are three tips for maintaining a school/life balance: 

Stay Organized! Use planning apps like MyECC, calendars, or a good old notebook to keep your schedule set. If you see your schedule laid out, you can see where your priorities need to be focused for that day, week, or month. By being familiar with your schedule, you will know where you have to be and when. You will have an idea of your commitments, so you don’t overbook yourself.  

Use Campus Resources. ECC offers tutoring, academic advisors, and more to help you stay on track in your classes and life. Don’t wait until it is too late; keeping up with your coursework will prevent midterm and final panic if the pressure is setting in. Wellness Services offers small support groups, private mental health check-ins, screenings, and more. There are study spaces throughout campus, but rumor has it that the library is the spot when you need quiet time to focus. 

Don’t forget to communicate when you are in need! Your professors are there to assist you. If you need help with an assignment or project, ask a classmate, email your instructor, or pop by during their office hours. 

Give yourself a break! Life can get hectic, no matter how organized and prepared you are. It will be ok. Take a breath, collect yourself, and move forward. Enjoy the times when you have downtime to reset and chill. Read a book just because, scroll on your phone, or go for a walk.  

With these three tips, we hope you can help start and maintain a good school/life balance. Keep checking in with yourself, lean on your support system, and remember you’re capable of more than you think.