Hey, overachievers: Drop the third job and give yourself a much-needed respite

Recently, when asked how my new quarter was going, I found myself saying, “It’s been alright, I’m just super busy.” As the new year starts up and I finally accept that I am a third-year ““ whether I like it or not ““ the reality of looming graduation has hit me hard. Reflecting on my remaining time, I have been forced to re-evaluate my priorities and figure out what really matters in life. If I continue at the same pace, I am going to be unbelievably burned out come next spring.

This overburdened attitude aptly summarizes the college experience of myself and many other UCLA students. When I think about it, UCLA students are extremely fortunate to be in our situation. Not only do we live in a country where millions of people show their national spirit at the presidential inauguration, we also attend one of the finest universities in the country. We enjoy comfortable apartments, plenty of food and fabulous friends. I mean, if we can’t be happy now, do we ever have a chance?

It’s not like UCLA doesn’t have enough opportunities to enjoy yourself. We have an entire Web site devoted to “happenings,” and free activities such as collegiate sports, the rock-climbing wall and facilities at Sunset Canyon Recreation Center are available every single day. Yet I’ve decided to trade these opportunities for what can only be described as an unhealthy amount of personal commitments. Fully booking myself every night of the week with obligations, I rarely have time to slow down and enjoy my college experience. And instead of viewing each task as an opportunity to hang out with different friends, I usually dream of skipping out, but guiltily choose to power through the day. I have dedicated myself to these worthwhile causes, and feel compelled to fulfill my responsibilities. After two-and-a-half years of near-constant obligations, it’s crystal-clear that this is no way to live “the best years of your life.”

This realization came late last week after an unusually crazy day. While I was biking to Santa Monica for a tutoring appointment after an 8 a.m. class and a visit to the Daily Bruin office ““ but before Ultimate Frisbee practice ““ I found myself secretly pondering the possibility of getting in a minor traffic incident on Wilshire Boulevard. If only I were slightly nudged, I mused, I would have no real injuries but a perfect excuse to skip out on all my responsibilities for the night. Recounting these thoughts to my roommate led to the obvious conclusion that I’ve become extremely exhausted in life.

So I forced myself to slow down. I decided that instead of hurriedly jumping into bed at midnight, I would relax and read for pleasure up on the roof of my apartment, overlooking the city. And the freedom and release were fantastic. I soon discovered that allowing myself ample time to relax each day is essential to my health and personal well-being. Without it, I easily slip into an anxious, pessimistic attitude.

I know that hectic lifestyles work for some people, and that’s great. Some UCLA students are so driven by the prospect of medical school or the fear of failure that they literally have no time to sit still and breathe deeply.

Third-year psychology student Kayleigh Prowse hasn’t had much time to herself since winter break.

“I feel like I’m always running from activity to activity. I’m never able to stop and smell the flowers,” Prowse said.

While we can hope that people like her never burn out, it’s obvious that they’re putting themselves in a precarious position. Though I don’t claim to have it all together, I think other stressed college students could learn a lot from my experience of trading responsibility for personal refreshment.

Shedding a few responsibilities and re-evaluating others has allowed me to step back and visualize the reality of my college experience. It has also opened me up to exciting spontaneous activities, such as free concerts or late-night long-boarding, activities that I truly enjoy.

And thank God that I finally came to this realization. For if I would have continued down that same boulevard on my 18-speed with all those angry rush-hour drivers, there’s no telling where I would have ended up.

If you’ve got too much on your plate, e-mail Pearring at spearring@media.ucla.edu. Send general comments to viewpoint@media.ucla.edu.

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