What the Young Yentas provide. Photo: Jen Collins, via Flickr
Dear Young Yentas,
I have an extraordinarily busy schedule this semester. How can I stay organized and emotionally balanced? I’m especially worried about maintaining positive relationships with friends and fellow students while making enough time to get my work done.
Are there nice ways of saying “I don’t have time to spend with you right now?” I often find myself feeling obligated to be inclusive when I really just want to be alone or with the people who are closest to me.
Sincerely, Busy Student
Dear Busy Student,
First of all, take a deep breath and have a nosh.
Balancing classwork, homework and relationships inside and outside of school is difficult. Your studies are the most important aspect of being a student, but you also need to manage relationships.
I often make lists to prioritize the things I need to do. After finishing a task or two, take an hour or so break and meet a friend up for snack.
But it sounds like your friends aren’t taking “no” for an answer. Try making future plans for a specific day and time to meet–after your work is done. You are not blowing off your friend, just putting them off for a few days or so. Students need to maintain their friendships, but you also need to put yourself first.
If they are persistent, remind them you would love to get together, when your studies lighten. Just make sure that it is not an emergency and reinforce that you are there for them if they really need you.
If this is really troubling you, you can also seek professional help. In the next issue, we’ll look into counseling options at AJU.
Warmly,
The Young Yentas
P.S. Call your mother.
AJU students: as always, we encourage you to go here to send your anonymous questions to the Young Yentas at casiano@ajula.edu.
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