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We all know that undertaking extracurricular activities such as Leadership is a great way to develop communication skills, teamwork, and time management skills. Therefore, a good balance between academics and your responsibilities could see you develop into a well-rounded successful student.

However, balancing academics and extracurricular activities is often challenging for students. And this is because most choose to focus more on either one of them while neglecting the other. An imbalance causes poor performance in one area but can lead to stress and anxiety in both, because of the realization that you’re failing in the other department.

These are some of the ways to help you balance better:

Choose your Leadership role wisely

When we spoke about pursuing Leadership, we spoke about choosing a responsibility that is flexible for one’s time commitment. The perfect fit is not always the easiest, rather take time to explore the extracurricular activities available to you and what you could gain from each one of them. When choosing, consider the time commitment required, your capacity, and your schedule.

Manage your time

Plan, plan and plan ahead. The best thing you can do for yourself is to create a priority list that will include both academics and extracurricular activities. Thereafter plan what needs to be done and by when it needs to be completed. Most importantly, prioritize rest. Burnout is real and you don’t want to see yourself burning out due to overworking.

Be honest with yourself – review and reflect

It’s okay to have a go at something and realize it’s not working and therefore try and find a solution. For instance, if you find that you were too ambitious and unrealistic regarding the amount of time you have, give honest feedback regarding your academics and extracurricular activities. Go back to your plan and don’t be afraid to say no when you can’t handle an extra activity no matter how much you want to.

Ask for help

Contrary to popular belief, asking for help is not an admission of weakness. In fact, it takes much maturity to admit to yourself, that you’ve tried doing it alone and you need fellow students, friends, and family to help you. Asking for help could be asking your friends to take notes for you, and get into study group sessions.

Another thing that most people overlook is having an accountability partner. Accountability partners are important because they can help you keep in check whether you’re keeping up with your tasks.

Have the right attitude

Most importantly, it is essential to believe that you can manage your time and be optimistic. Push yourself rather than giving up most activities without exploring. Procrastination and pessimism are the biggest hurdles to becoming effective at time management.

Prioritize your health

I know that in between lectures and attending meetings, it can be easier to eat on the go and grab the unhealthiest meals. But it’s important to remember to eat well, exercise regularly, and be sure to get a good night’s sleep.