How can I balance my social and academic life as a college student in Athens?

Maintaining a social life while balancing academics can be a difficult task. For UGA students in apartments near Athens, there are many fun things to do around the city with friends so, when you're looking to relax, there are never a shortage of options! However, remember that doing well in your classes is equally as important as having fun. Here are a few of my suggestions for succeeding at both and not sacrificing one for the other!

Plan Ahead

For students living off-campus at UGA with their own cars, it can be very easy to go out and explore Athens. And, as tempting as it may be, it's important to find the perfect balance between going out with your roommates and staying in to study for an upcoming exam. When you are unsure of how the upcoming week may look and need to prioritize certain tasks over others, use a planner or calendar to jot down all the important exams and assignments that you have to complete in the next few days. By doing so, you'll be able to neatly organize and plan how much work you'll have to complete each day and when you're going to study. This way, all the extra time that you have where you're not doing schoolwork, you can go out for a meal or a long late-night drive without stressing about an approaching due date. 

Participate in Extracurriculars at UGA

People love to kill two birds with one stone; it's always rewarding to be able to finish two separate tasks at once. Similarly, here's a tip for being both social and advancing academically at the same time. Join a club! Becoming a member of UGA clubs and organizations can have many benefits, especially on your resumé but it can also be a great way to meet new people and stay involved with the community. Take the time to search for clubs that will help with professional development and other less intensive ones to pursue your passions. Doing so gives you a great opportunity to learn new skills while socializing with new people. 

Avoid Procrastination

The bane of a college student's existence is procrastination. No matter how much we try to avoid it, there's nothing like pulling an all-nighter to finish a pending assignment. However, this can have negative consequences, like the stress that comes with procrastinating and the potential bad grade because of sloppy work. So, it's important to complete work in advance. Some people find this difficult because their bedrooms and their phones serve as a distraction so the best thing to do is find a study room and turn off your phone for a few hours. Or, you can also go to the Tate Student Center where there are plenty of options to sit and get work done. Wherever it is that you choose to be productive, make sure to take a few breaks here and there to let your mind refresh. Otherwise, you'll feel too exhausted early on before you've made significant progress in completing your assignments. By avoiding procrastination, you'll be able to finish assignments much more in advance, allowing your weekends to open up for fun adventures in Athens! 

I hope you've taken away a few tips and tricks to successfully balance your social and academic life as a UGA student in Athens! It may take a few trial-and-error attempts to find the pace and routine that best works for you. Use our University of Georgia Student Guide to find more resources on understanding what it's like to be a college student in Athens!