This blog reflects on the challenge of balancing ambition and well-being in college life. Kyan shares his journey of juggling multiple commitments—from clubs and jobs to academic programs—while learning that true productivity comes from passion and balance. Through practical tips like using Google Calendar, prioritizing tasks, and staying connected with peers, they emphasize that success isn’t just about doing more—it’s about doing what you love and remembering to have fun along the way.
College is all about balance. The advice I always heard was to try everything and put yourself out there. And while I would agree, many of us end up overcommitted. I definitely fell victim to that during my first year. I came into college curious: I wanted to learn, explore, and take advantage of all the resources our university had to offer. Most importantly, I wanted to LinkedIn aura farm (list as many experiences as possible through the Leavey School of Business).
However, I soon learned that being a Linkedin warrior comes with commitments. Right now, my schedule runs from 9am to 8:30pm, with a break for dinner. Currently, I participate in 3 clubs, 2 programs, and 2 jobs. I was very fortunate in that I chose things I’m genuinely passionate about. Whether it’s my on-campus jobs, SCIF, or Investment Club, there’s something special about knowing I’m making an impact at our university. That's really the key to balancing your time: do what you love. As cliché as it sounds, intrinsic motivation makes everything so much easier. It gives you the energy to get up and keep going, even when things feel exhausting. But to be honest, I still get overwhelmed and stressed despite enjoying what I do. But that’s inevitable and honestly makes the college experience all more rewarding.
Everyone has a different approach. Some people focus on 2–3 activities and go deep. Others get involved in everything because they value the social experience and broad impact. There’s no single “right” way. Adjusting to college takes time, transitions are hard, but do your best to find what works for you. Talk to upperclassmen, use campus resources, ask questions, and don’t be afraid to admit when you don’t know something. The SCU community is incredibly supportive; there’s always someone willing to help.
On a practical note: become a Google Calendar warrior. Block out every commitment so you can visualize your time and plan realistically. I also keep an Excel to-do list where I organize tasks by priority and deadline. Something I love is just having study groups and creating group chats with classmates or club members.
But most importantly, through all the academics, career prep, and internship searching ~ HAVE FUN. Make friends, take that $2 Caltrain trip to SF, and learn to detach from the grind. At the end of the day, it all comes down to balance.
