“FOMO,” or the fear of missing out, haunts college campuses like a bad perfume. Whether it’s TikTok, Instagram or, god forbid, YikYak, you cannot escape the allure of frat parties, bars and kickbacks. Going out and ignoring your assignments is easy, but waking up and dealing with the consequences can make or break your college career. So, how does one balance the adolescent urge to go out, and the logical choice of actually submitting assignments?
Prioritize Day Time Activities (AND STAY OUT OF THAT DORM!)
The fear of missing out is often developed from a craving for social connection. While partying can aid this feeling, it’s not the only option. Simply going out with friends for coffee before class or finding a study group in your major can keep you close with your community, and even be helpful for your GPA. Staying in your room all day will only make your FOMO worse, so find some time to walk around campus when you’re free. You’ll often run into friends, or strangers waiting for the opportunity to become a friend.
Live a Little
Prioritizing school doesn’t mean you can’t live at all, but it might be a good idea to skip out on the Wine Wednesdays at Pi Kapp when you know you have a math quiz at 8 a.m. the next day. When you make time to go out on weekends, and occasionally weekdays when you don’t have other obligations, you give yourself the opportunity to get the college experience without sacrificing your degree. Know your schedule, so you know when you can (and when you definitely shouldn’t) go out.
Accept Your Imperfections
Nobody’s perfect. Unless you’re the reincarnation of Albert Einstein, you probably won’t get an A on every paper. That’s okay. It’s important to prioritize school, but don’t beat yourself up over every mistake, and NEVER punish yourself for messing up. Find some time to go to tutoring, talk to your professors and pick yourself back up. That pick-me-up might be a coffee with friends, a function, a tailgate or maybe just taking some time to yourself. Whatever it is, prioritize it and your mental health. It is always okay to ask for help when it’s needed, and the University has a wonderful assortment of mental health resources waiting to be used.
The fear of missing out isn’t always bad. Sometimes, it’s the encouragement you need to get out of your shell and interact with the rest of society. But, like all things, it can grow to consume you and your college experience. It is possible to balance your social life and grades, but it might take a little bit of conscious effort.
