Finding Balance and Harmony

Finding Balance and Harmony

March 4, 2019 Reflections from Changemakers 56

We may have just celebrated the new year and there may be fresh snow on the ground, but spring is coming soon! Spring is a time of renewal and change. This is nature’s rebirth. For us spring, can bring a time of chaos amidst our daily lives and academics. Midterms, projects and other responsibilities take precedence over the balance and harmony in our lives.

  1. What challenges does this time and season bring for you?
  2. How can we change our approach to stressful circumstances?
  3. Think about ways you wish to find harmony and balance. Write some steps you wish to take to get there below. The process of putting actions into words will help keep you accountable and follow through.

 

56 Responses

  1. Harriet Koblenzer says:

    I love the spring, especially because it stays lighter longer into the day and the winter winds down. This semester my work is more concentrated in March, which has been very stressful. I am trying hard to stay on top of my work, and keeping healthy at the same time. Stepping back and reflecting is a helpful tactic I use when I get stressed out. I have started to put more concentration on my school work, and I am starting to meditate again

  2. Kayla Sweet says:

    This time of year is a favorite for me. I want to be outside all of the time instead of cooped up in my dorm!! This can be problematic as it can shift my focus off of my academics and onto social activities. Designating times where I will be able to be outside and having that time serve as a reward for doing my work is something that helps me find balance between my wants and needs. I also find balance when I eat healthy and exercise and when the weather is nice I tend to be more active. So when I take advantage of the weather I’m also being active while having fun. This is undoubtedly harmonious for me because it makes me feel so whole. So, you could say I’M EXCITED FOR SPRING

  3. Liliana Sanchez Adames says:

    This spring, I have already faced some challenges regarding my health, personal and academic life. Although I have kept my grades up this semester, getting surgery in Cuba definitely put me a few steps backwards and messed up my whole success plan. I have been falling behind on classes and have lost some people I thought were important in my life. At this point, I just have to remember that after the accumulation of not so good things happening to me these past couple of weeks there has to be a turning point where good things are coming my way. And the fact that my initial success plan was altered by some circumstances does not mean I cant make some adjust it and still succeed and excel in all I do from this point forward. I can only go up from here. First, I want to make a list of what I need to get done for the remaining of the semester. Then, think and make a plan on how I will achieve it. The second part is the most challenging part. I just have to sit down and do it. My life is chaos right now and 2019 has not been so great to me thus far, but I will definitely keep on smiling and trying to the bring out the best of myself. Giving up is not an option.

  4. Isabella Barone says:

    One of my main challenges this semester is keeping myself organized and calm, which are difficult by themselves and made more so but attempting them at the same time. This time of year I find myself easily overwhelmed, so I have been trying to take everything one step at a time. Taking things one by one is not only helpful to keeping stress down but to staying organized as you have to prioritize your tasks and convert them to bite sized pieces. The first step I want to take is to take the time to breathe and allow myself to calm down before getting to work. Keeping myself in a good frame of mind is vital, so ensuring that I am being mindful before all else will improve all areas. Also, establishing communication is helpful in both remaining calm and getting work done, because sometimes you simply need to bounce off of another person.

  5. Kenia says:

    Spring is one of my favorite season. This is a season of change for me as I am preparing to graduate college and find a job. My support system helps me through stressful times.

  6. Brendan says:

    I am usually a huge fan of spring. The weather gets nicer, it’s light out later in the day, and baseball season starts. However, springtime can also be challenging, especially as we get closer to the end of the semester and you have to strike a balance between classwork, service, and other extracurricular activities. My usual approach to stressful circumstances is to slow everything down, organize what I have to do, and then systematically complete the tasks I need to complete based on what is most important. While spring is one of my favorite seasons, it can also be the busiest down the home stretch of the academic calendar. That is why it is important to plan things out to make sure work doesn’t pile up and interfere with all the other things I need to accomplish. To find harmony and balance, I think it can start with small tasks, like organizing your room, making your bed everyday, and keeping track of all your assignments in an academic planner. Another thing I can do to make sure there is less of a time-crunch is to plan things out long-term so I don’t feel overwhelmed later in the semester. Anyway, the weather is beautiful outside today, so I’m going to stay positive and plan on having a great spring!!

  7. Yom Ruhl says:

    What challenges does this time and season bring for you?
    How can we change our approach to stressful circumstances?
    Think about ways you wish to find harmony and balance. Write some steps you wish to take to get there below. The process of putting actions into words will help keep you accountable and follow through

    My challenge this spring is teaching at Troy High. Although for the most part everything is going great, there is one class that always seems to give me a hard time. I’m trying to manage this stress by rolling with the punches and learning as much as I can. Every mistake I make, and everything that goes wrong is just an opportunity for me to learn how to be a better teacher. To achieve the right balance in teaching, I need to just keep learning as much as I can so that I always have techniques in my back pocket when things start to get shaky. Although it’s been incredibly challenging, it’s all worth it, because I’m finally doing what I’ve wanted to do since I was 10 years old.

  8. Sydney Maughan says:

    Challenges I’m facing now are to be productive and not procrastinate my work. I also find it a challenge to stay active and spend time outside. We can change our approach to stressful circumstances by thinking positively and optimistically . I plan to find harmony and balance by regularly setting time aside for myself and for yoga. I also plan on putting more time aside so I can draw and read, things I haven’t had much time for. With a positive outlook I think it will make it is a asker for me to find harmony and balance.

  9. Justin Kenyon says:

    In the past I haven’t done well with balance. I tend to do anything and everything, which doesn’t give me much harmony. So, going forward I hope to find a happy medium, and figure out what’s important.

  10. Emerald Power says:

    Juggling academics, Bonner and working can be a struggle. Finding a rhythm I think is the most important thing. Once you have structure in dividing responsibilities harmony and balance fall into place!

  11. Kathryn Casey says:

    Spring is a great season but spring can also be pretty rainy which tends to hurt my joints and make me a little lethargic. Also the spring semester gets tough with all the work squished towards the end which is right around when I begin to lose motivation. In order to keep up with the fast pace of the spring semester I will have to change a couple of my approaches to life. For instance I can no longer subsist off of chicken nuggets, pizza, and cereal instead I should try to eat more clean because that will help with overall inflammation in the body as well as boost my energy levels! I’m pulling a popeye this season. I will also eat at more regular times so I’m not tempted to binge eat due to hunger. These small changes could make all the difference in my productivity.

    • Taylor Disco says:

      What challenges does this time and season bring for you?

      This time of season brings me both excitement for new things to come and stress because I feel as if everything happens all at once during this time. Being busy is a positive and negative, but the warm weather makes up for it.

      How can we change our approach to stressful circumstances?

      We can change our approach by tackling stress head on instead of procrastinating. Often times when people are stressed (including myself) I find myself pushing things off not even on purpose. I am trying to change that by being present in the moment and leaning on planners, family, and friends. As well as the gym! Yoga and working out are very important.

      Think about ways you wish to find harmony and balance. Write some steps you wish to take to get there below. The process of putting actions into words will help keep you accountable and follow through.

      1.) Eat a good breakfast every morning
      2.) Take walks outside as it gets nicer
      3.) Spend time with family and friends
      4.)Update my google cal.

    • Brendan says:

      Did you just say that rain hurts your joints?

  12. Julia says:

    Spring is actually my favorite season even though it brings several challenges. There will be plenty of exams, papers, and projects to stress about from now until the end of the school year. And of course, finals are always overwhelming. In terms of service, planning Spanish Club will be difficult with the increasing amount of academic assignments. Instead of stressing about my responsibilities I will avoid procrastination, stay organized, and know that my best is enough. In order to stay positive throughout this season I will take 30 minutes of my day to watch the Office because it makes me laugh and there are definitely some life lessons to be learned from Michael Scott (haha). I will continue to work hard but I will try to get more sleep and enjoy the best season!! B-LOVEEE

    Julia

  13. Abby Hoekman says:

    This time of the semester brings the ongoing juggle of assignments, exams, and projects, as well as other major campus event and service opportunities that can take a great deal of planning and work. Even though this approaching season of sunshine and warmth boosts my energy level and mood overall, it can be challenging to stay focused on tasks when you have more temptation to go outside and spend time with friends.

    I can change my approach to stressful situations by making a list of my assignments and looking at one specific assignment at a time so as not to get overwhelmed. Additionally, I would like to be better about allowing myself to take breaks and spend more time doing what makes me happy so that I can be better energized and focused for my work.

    I wish to find harmony and balance by implementing set break times into my daily schedule so that I do not run myself to the ground during the day. Furthermore, I would like to be more consistent about daily habits such as a consistent sleep schedule, drinking enough water, etc. as I find that these daily habits can have a big influence on my energy level and mood throughout the day. I will hold myself accountable to this by logging my goals for hours of sleep a night and ounces of water I would like to intake each day.

    Wishing you all the best in this busy season!

  14. Megan Jones says:

    The challenges of this time in the middle of the semester involves a heavy academic load, pressures to meet important deadlines and the needs of my site, and trying to navigate life possibilities of the upcoming year. The weather also does not help on top of this as the cold never bothered me until now. The time before the flowers bloom and the sunshine melts away the bitter snow is a time that I feel kind of stagnant almost.

    For me, changing approaches to stressful circumstances is taking a deep breath and telling myself repeatedly that, while it may feel it, whatever is going on is not the worst thing in the world. Other people are going through similar experiences and I am not alone. I am very good at making things out worse than they seem and immediately falling into a negative perception of the world. I have recently been challenging myself to cultivate a new mindset and a healthier routine to dealing with stressful situations by taking breaks when necessary, putting myself first, and managing certain things when appropriate.

    I hope to find harmony and balance within myself during this time so that I can emanate that positive energy out into the universe. The steps I will take to get there is firstly by focusing on things I care about, not allowing toxic energy to be present in my life whether that is found in habits or people, and by challenging myself to not focus on negative thoughts (such as removing the word “hate” from my vocabulary all together). I will nourish my mind and body with healthy thoughts, care, and creative flow that will motivate me to do my best.

    If anyone is currently struggling in any area of their life, I want you to know that you are doing great and that you are stronger than you think!

  15. Nia Colon says:

    The challenges that I have had to face during the spring semester would have to be trying to figure myself out (major wise/life-wise). It has been a lot of thinking and preparation for what is going to be best for me. I know that I can just take my time and know that I have time. I think by me having a positive outlook will help me and to just keep doing what I’m doing. Also knowing that I will get everything I need to be done will be done and to just take it day by day. The last thing I need to do is make a schedule of what is my napping time, homework time etc by doing this I will be more organized and less tired.

  16. Jamie del Rosario says:

    Spring semester challenges me a lot in regards to the weather and how it affects my mood. I struggle coming back to campus when it is still cold as I find that it reduces a lot of my motivation in my academic responsibilities. However, I am hoping that the warm weather comes soon because that is how I thrive. As for finding harmony and balance I am finding people that can hold me accountable to my work as I have found that to be a useful opponent to the end of the year blues. I am also getting involved in a lot of projects that I am excited about, which allows me to have a balance in the work itself that I am doing. Each week I make sure to find time to hangout both on and off campus with some of my friends and do things that I enjoy outside of my responsibilities so that I do not feel so trapped in my work.

  17. Meghan Conboy says:

    This semester has been my craziest yet – between my coursework and extracurricular commitments, my life has definitely been chaotic. Mid-semester is especially difficult because there are always a ton of approaching deadlines.

    In order to find balance, I have set aside more time in my schedule to do things that help me recharge. I’ve found that when I commit more time to self-care, I’m more productive and have the energy to give to my schoolwork and extracurricular activities. It’s sort of a backward system because it’s hard to spend time relaxing/doing things you enjoy when you have so many “more important” things to do. However, it’s been a great strategy to achieve more balance in my life.

  18. Alyssa Lofaro says:

    Some challenges that I am currently facing is the realization that I am graduating in less than two months. It is actually starting to hit me that I will be leaving Siena so soon. As much as I am excited about the next chapter and I feel that Siena has given me all that it can; I am sad that I will not see my friends every day and I am going to miss everything that I am involved in on campus. I think one of the best things that I can do is just enjoy and appreciate everything happening currently.

  19. Ecli Vazquez says:

    For me, this semester was all about rebirth or you could say find ways to not repeat some mistakes. With the change of major my life has become easier I have become more aware of everything that is coming so I take everything a step at a time. I also learned to handle stress by developing new hobbies. To fully find harmony a person must be sure that he knows himself but also that he promotes self-love.
    1) Get to know what you can and can’t do
    2) Know that there are different routes a person can take to get to one goal
    3) Make sure you ask for help at times when you feel there’s no coming back

    Peace & Love Respect to all

  20. Emma Henderschedt says:

    My biggest challenge at this point in the semester is the feelings that come along with it being my final few months at Siena. Graduating in May has hit me in several different ways. Some days I am very happy about new beginnings, some days I am sad and other days I am nervous about the transition. I am still unsure of what my next year looks like, whether that be traveling abroad or doing a year of service. This unknown has caused me much anxiety, but I am trying hard to enjoy the moment of just being here at Siena because I know next year will be amazing regardless what my path is. My goal for the next few weeks is to just allow myself to feel however I am feeling about graduation. It is okay to feel these emotions. I also want to make sure that I am putting in time to making memories with my friends. While I still want to do well in my classes, I want to make sure that I am enjoying my final time here laughing and making memories with the ones that mean the most to me.

  21. Hayley Pij says:

    What challenges does this time and season bring for you?

    At this time of year, everything starts to get really busy. It is important for me to stay grounded and not get lost in everything that’s due or fun things that are happening. I want to change my approach by being calm and taking a step back when I feel overwhelmed. One simple way I can do this is taking deep breaths and reflecting on the situation.

  22. Lulama Nyembe says:

    Every season is a constant battle with time management, organisation and prioritisation, and this season is no different. This season is more challenging because on top of the aforementioned challenges, my relationships with others keep changing. As we near the end of the semester it will be important to focus on academics and finding the balance between prioritising academics and maintaining healthy relationships with friends and family can prove to be a challenge.

    Taking a moment to step outside of oneself when faced with a stressful situation can be beneficial. By viewing the stressor as a task to be completed rather than a looming obstacle will allow us to see it as something that can be easily conquered. It will reduce its enormity, allowing us to better plan out the most effective way to combat said stressor.

    The best way for me to find harmony and balance is by clarifying the roles that others play in my life and vice versa. Planning out my days beforehand can also help me clarify all that lies within the day ahead. To recuperate from the day’s ups and downs, I could take some time to focus on my spirituality by way of maintaining my sanity.

  23. Maddie Kousoulas says:

    This time and season bring a lot of stress and hard work. Coming back from break, it seems that there is an overflow of work that needs to be done as well as midterms. One way that I choose to approach these stressful circumstances is by taking it each day at a time. Rather than trying to think ahead, I get everything done that I need to for the next day. By taking this approach, I do not feel as overwhelmed by it all.
    Some ways that I wish to find harmony and balance is by spending more time with friends, taking frequent breaks, and taking some time to just look at the big picture. Doing all of these things will help me not only to destress but, do my work more efficiently and effectively.

  24. Andraya Perez says:

    Coming back from break has been a real reality check. I feel like this semester has been none stop work, I’d say academics have been the most stressful part of this semester for me. I have been approaching this stressful situation by going to my professor’s office hours, making to-do lists, and prioritizing assignments. I have balancing everything thing with reminding myself to do things that make me happy and relaxed as well. I have been making sure I practice mindfulness and creating harmony in life are by watching Brooklyn 99, hanging out with my pals, and eating some good food.

  25. Kevin Ziobrowski says:

    What challenges does this time and season bring for you?
    This time and season brings about laziness as it can be difficult to find motivation when the weather is not nice. It can be difficult to do the simplest of tasks, and everyday can feel kind of gloomy.
    How can we change our approach to stressful circumstances?
    If I do not keep myself too invested in these circumstances I can likely reduce the stress I experience.
    Think about ways you wish to find harmony and balance. Write some steps you wish to take to get there below. The process of putting actions into words will help keep you accountable and follow through.
    I wish to have a 3/4 ratio for work and free time so that I can pursue my own interests outside of class, which recently I have felt unable to do. This is making it harder to live a balanced life, and I think more free time could help me.

  26. Shelby says:

    What challenges does this time and season bring for you?
    How can we change our approach to stressful circumstances?
    Think about ways you wish to find harmony and balance. Write some steps you wish to take to get there below. The process of putting actions into words will help keep you accountable and follow through.

    This season brings me a lot of stress, we are halfway through the semester and midterms are happening, end of the year projects are approaching. There is so much to worry about this time of year. A way that we talked about last night at our meeting was solution based thinking. When there is a problem or issue you instead of approaching it with a negative stance take the issue and think what can i do to solve or help this problem. I think I am going to make a list of things I need to get done each day so I can take my homework and projects one day at a time instead of thinking so far in advance. I am also going to work on relaxing and finding time for myself.

  27. Kylie Gilbride says:

    This semester has brought on many more challenges than I ever anticipated, so I am constantly in a state of trying to maintain harmony and balance. I always try to take things day by day and look at one thing at a time so I can dedicate all of my focus to it. It is also tremendously important to make sure that you are surrounded by positive people with good vibes and good energy; it can be so draining to be around anything else. I try to let things roll off my shoulder as much as possible so I can save my time and energy for more important and deserving things. At the end of the day, it is all about the mindset that we choose to have.

  28. Amelia Butler says:

    This season is always a struggle because the increasingly nice weather makes it more and more difficult to want to stay in and study or work on assignments. It is always a struggle to put off doing the fun stuff to do assignments and put in the effort academically. I think it would be beneficially in these situations to allow myself to have some time to relax, something I rarely let myself do when there is work to be done. My goal for the inevitable stress that will come as the semester comes to an end is to make time for me in the midst of all of the work and stress. In order to find this kind of balance, it’s going to take a lot of trial and error. I don’t think anyone ever really finds a perfect balance, though, so I have to realize that no matter what I do, my sense of balance will and can never be perfect.

  29. Pierre Dalce II says:

    Spring can be a difficult time in our lives. Warm weather, flips flops, sundresses. It can overwhelm us at times especially once the dreariness of winter has passed. The most difficult part about spring is that we feel as if its a time to let go and let loose however that is not the case. Finals, summer internships and summer employment bring us back to reality once we realize that although the weather is getting warmer everything is still the same. However, as bonners we can use this time as an opportunity and actually use it in our favor. We know how to manage out time wisely so we can work hard but play even harder. That is where most people find difficulty, not finding the right balance between work and play. Especially in the spring when the sun is out and bright and high in the sky. However, we have to be vigilant and stay on top of what needs to be done and the only way to accomplish this is by managing out time WISELY.

  30. Andrew Tessman (Trixie Mattel incarnate) says:

    I have no time to breathe, or rather, the only thing I have the free time to do is breathe and stress sleep at night. Academia for the sake of itself is the death of the academy loving student.
    This is something my mom used to tell me all the time, and trust me, it is really good advice. HOWEVER; one cannot go through their life only thinking about how they can change their mindset about things that are bad or upset them. Things upset us for a reason, figure out that reason and work towards changing it! complacency is the death of praxis.
    *Trixie Mattel voice* “Hoooooooney, honey, honey… I can’t relax until my work is done.

  31. Dana Wakeman says:

    This time of year is challenging because there seems to be a never ending to-do list, which makes this time of year very stressful. However, it is important for me to take a deep breath, focus on what needs to be done first, and start the list. This helps me to de-stress, while also still getting the work done. Finding balance has been something that I have struggled with a lot this year, but what helped me was actually deciding to give something up. As Bonners, we frequently can take on too much, and it’s important to remember to find balance even if that means dropping something. I hope to continue to find balance by not putting so much pressure on myself.

  32. A'Livija Mullins-Richard says:

    Some challenges for this season is consistency and self discipline. I don’t really have a good routine going. My days are typically unstructured. I don’t want to continue to “go with the flow”. I will be working on incorporating a few things that I will do everyday to build momentum for consistency.

    For stressful circumstances, I can look at things from a different perspective and talk to people when I think I need help.

    I think I will find balance once I start being more diligent about my obligations. I find I am often too relaxed and not hard enough on myself. I find more time to procrastinate but I will try to instead find ways to “productively procrastinate”. For example, I would like to start drawing and reading more so I can substitute my procrastination with those. This way I will be somewhat productive toward my goals. In addition, I would like to exercise more as well as have a healthy sleep schedule.

  33. Monique Lawrence says:

    The challenges that this times brings is completing all of the coursework that I need in order to graduate and also collecting data for my capstone so I can start making the capstone. I want to be able to make a good memory with my department and still get good grades and leave my legacy at Siena. I have been able to find the balance between coursework and social life, I know that I will be leaving the place I called home and want to make as many connections and memoirs before graduation. Also, I had bad allergies in the spring so I’ll be walking around with a tissue box and eye drops all the time. We can change our approve by first taking a deep breath and writing down the ways that you can deal with the situation instead of freaking out or avoiding it. To keep harmony and balance, i make sure that my calendar and tasks are listed and I am able to figure out which ones can be done the fastest and to the best of my ability.

  34. Tristan Hunzinger says:

    The biggest challenge that comes around this time is staying on top of things and not losing focus. Coming into the homestretch of our first year here at Siena as freshmen, it is super important not to let any distractions deter us from finishing strong!

    When dealing with stressful situations, it is essential to set aside time for self-reflection and even relaxation. It can be easy to let our busy schedules get the best of us, but when things become too overwhelming, it is okay to take a step back and recuperate.

    I will find my harmony and balance by doing exactly that–setting aside time for relaxation and self reflection.

  35. Kiara Woodward says:

    This season brings on challenges in classes. Midterms are rolling around and that means more demanding studying for tests and projects. These additional challenges are on top of the regular workload. I can change my approach to these stressful circumstances by refocusing, staying calm, managing my time wisely and being confident in my ability to tackle these challenges.

    In order to find harmony and balance I should:
    prioritize my tasks, manage my time accordingly, put my mind to all tasks, procrastinate less, etc.

  36. Alexis D'Aloia says:

    Some challenges that this season brings me are lots of homework and projects in my classes. On top of this, the stress of planning for the upcoming school year and summer adds even more of a challenge. I am usually pretty good about handling many different tasks and assignments, but I am also aware of when I am getting too stressed. I think I can change my approach to stressful circumstances by looking at everything I have to do as individual things rather than a bunch of things piled up in front of me. This way it is easier to tackle each project and focus on one thing at a time. In order to find balance I will utilize to-do lists to get my work done efficiently, and also ensure that I make time for myself so I can avoid becoming overwhelmed and stressed. Additionally, I will be sure to hold myself accountable with others to allow for healthy productivity.

  37. Skylar Nijhawan says:

    This season can bring many challenges I feel for me personally because I know that when it’s nice out I’m just going to want to go and hang out outside instead of working on what I need to. So one of my biggest challenges will be staying focused on what is important regarding my academics. One way that I change my approach to stressful circumstances is by finding new ways of mindfulness to cope with the stress that I deal with. Some steps that I plan to take regarding harmony and balance is to remember to take time for myself over the week for self-care and some me time.

  38. Michael Averill says:

    This semester has certainly already brought more challenges with my increasing number of commitments and responsibilities. It can be very stressful to juggle everything sometimes, and finding harmony and balance is not always easy. During this season I have midterms, big papers, and major projects that are all approaching fast, along with my commitments to Bonner, SMB, Student Senate, and ultimate frisbee. I also just found out that I have been accepted to become a CA next semester and I am looking into future study abroad programs.

    Since things are definitely busy in my schedule right now, it is important that O take a step back to evaluate how I can find balance among all of my work. I can approach stressful situations with a clear and open mind which will benefit me greatly. I can also evaluate what I am actually stressing over because often times, I’m stressed over very minute things.

    I can find harmony and balance by using my free time in a productive manner, such as taking care of myself and doing things that I enjoy. I also have to keep myself on top of my schedule and make sure that I don’t fall behind due to overcommitting myself or procrastinating my work. I am confident that with an open mind I will be able to find harmony and balance that will see me through the rest of the spring semester.

  39. Alexee Seifert says:

    This time and season brings a lot of challenges as the weather is changing it feels that stress and my problems are too! I have a lot of work to do and catch up on. I have to focus on passes all assignments and tests . This season brings challenges that test my academic strengths and capabilities. I can change my approach on stressful situations and circumstances by working on the approach i take to facing them. I can try to approach them in positive ways in order to think of challenges as benefits. I can find peace and benefits in stressful situations in order to make my overall performance good and helpful to what i am trying to acheieve . I can put my positive goals and words to action by accomplishing stressful and overwhelming tasks in healthy ways.

  40. Erin Spence says:

    As midterms approach, I am continuously receiving assignments and projects that are all due around the same time. I find it challenging to plan when the best times are to do everything that needs to be done. It is easy to rush through certain things just to check them off the list, but for me, this leads to a decrease in the quality of my work. When these stressful situations arise, I usually have a moment of panic, thinking about all of the things I need to get done and the amount of time I have to complete it all. Instead of looking at everything I have to do, it would be less overwhelming to look at each task individually and go from there. The best way for me to deal with stressful situations when it comes to my school work is to think ahead. Organization is a huge part of success for me. It always helps me to write out exactly when all of my assignments are due. This gives me a better sense of how much time I need to set aside for each task.

    As college students, we all have a lot going on. It can be easy to put all of our energy into one of these things, but this causes us to lack other areas. Prioritizing can be helpful, but it is important to leave room in your day for your basic needs like getting enough food and sleep. Without these things, you cannot live a balanced lifestyle.

  41. Nicole Pazarecki says:

    My biggest challenge I think this semester deciding my major. I have been thinking about this since I got to Siena and I still feel lost about career path. Also another challenge is my Management 300 class because my professor is the worst. Also balancing my social life, Bonner, class and volleyball. I think in order to finish strong is to think about doing well and not summer because if I think about summer then I will do any work. Also making sure I get enough sleep during the night to make sure I am well rested. Another step could be to take a step back and look at the positives and not the negatives.

  42. Marlie says:

    At this time in the semester, I have a lot of upcoming tests and papers over the next two weeks. In addition, I am trying to find a different job for this summer. It is stressful to think about all of the tasks I have to complete and its already March! The semester is picking up speed so quickly and we only have two months of classes left before summer.
    In order to change our approach to stressful circumstances, I think it is important to focus on all that we have accomplished instead of focusing on what we still have to do. We often live such busy lives that we don’t recognize the little or big things that we have successfully done. By doing this, our perception can shift to a more positive outlook on life.
    I want to find harmony and balance but making sure that I take time for myself. Further, I want to spend one hour a week dedicated to not thinking about homework or anything I have to do. In this time, I want to watch a quick TV show or find another way to relax.

  43. Gregory Winkelstern says:

    The challenges that this time and season are presented to me include improving and maintaining personal health, keeping my grades up to maintain my academic success and continuing to grow in my internship. Although these aren’t necessarily new obstacles that I’m facing, they are some things that I have targeted as my priorities to work on for the rest of the spring headed into the summer. This will be especially difficult coming out of a week off however!

    I think that there are countless ways to approach stressful circumstances. Everyone will find different techniques that work for them. Some tips that work for one person may not work for another person which is important to keep in mind. I think that the first way I am going to tackle my challenges differently is by changing my mindset from ‘let’s survive until…’ to ‘let’s thrive in…’ I found my attitude and mood before break to be less positive than it had been in the past. By fine tuning what I want to work on I aim to excite and motivate myself to be active in bettering myself wholistically instead of ‘just making it’ until the end of the semester.

    Steps to balance and harmony:
    1) Prioritize and stick to it
    2) Plan
    3) Act
    4) Reflect
    5) Make changes * because no plan is ever perfect and will continuously need to be tweaked in order to get closer to the end goal of balance and harmony in life

  44. shaylaencarnacion says:

    Right now my biggest problem is that I’m experiencing major senioritis. I want to get everything done, but I have no motivation or care to do so. I end up doing it because I know the completion of my degree requires it and I also want to end on a strong note. However, I have been procrastinating more than usual and staying up later doing work. I have begun to try to hold myself more accountable and have a more positive outlook on the work I have. I also plan to start “library hours” for myself in which I go to the library after class, instead of going home in order to avoid procrastination. I am hoping for a strong last semester, so please keep me in your prayers because BUDV is taking control of my entire life lol.

    Good luck to everyone with midterm exams and projects!

    B-Love,
    Shayla

  45. Nancy Rasmussen says:

    As the school year is coming to a close, research papers and final projects are building up. The increase of my workload is definitely a challenge for me. I think I can change my approach to these stressful circumstances by taking one project on at a time. I have to keep reminding myself that I’ll get everything done on time if I take it one step at a time. One way I want to find harmony and balance is with schoolwork, my social life, and staying healthy. I think one step towards this balance is forming a schedule and sticking to it. This will not only keep me organized, but it will motivate me as well.

  46. Aedan Raleigh says:

    How can we change our approach to stressful circumstances?
    Think about ways you wish to find harmony and balance. Write some steps you wish to take to get there below. The process of putting actions into words will help keep you accountable and follow through.
    Coming back from Spring Break has honestly always been the hardest time of the year for me. Habitat for Humanity Spring Break trips have always been a highlight to my year so it is a hard adjustment at this point. Returning to more social events in the spring semester doesn’t sound like it should be more stressful, but with the increase in work at the same time it is always more difficult to stay on track. I think if this break taught me one thing, it would be that when things seem overwhelming, it is ok to step away and take some time for yourself. Between midterms and projects I think that the most important thing for me this semester will be prioritizing work and staying focused, so we will see how that goes. Wish me luck!

    • Grace Harris says:

      This time and season is hard for me because I get very burnt out. I get super tired and once it starts to get nice out all I want to do is take naps outside. Midterms also overwhelm me a lot and I tend to be stressed. The one way I have dealt with this stress is to keep a certain mindset. Recently I have been living by the mindset if you can’t change your circumstances you can always change your attitude. I have been trying to be positive and remember just like all difficult things this time period will pass as well and I have a summer to look forward to. I also have been trying to make need good habits such as making it to the gym, eating well and giving myself “me time”. I am also surrounding myself with good friends and good vibes.
      I plan on taking more time to do what good for me even if I “don’t have time” Likewise I want to dedicate myself more to my work at Bonner and at Siena and have a fab end to a crazy year 🙂

    • Grace Harris says:

      Love you Aedan!! I am happy to help you with your goals. Big Kiss

  47. Justin says:

    Organization of time is my challenge. I feel like I have responsibilities that keep toppling over each other. To approach them I will utilize my time wisely and stop procrastinating. I must have a positive outlook during stressful times. To do this I listen to positive affirmations and meditate. Other ten that I hang out with people that will motivate me to get my work done.

  48. Samantha Gisleson says:

    Some challenges that the busy spring season bring me are maintaining a balance between school, Bonner, and downtime. I really try to manage my time well, but during busier weeks, months, or seasons I sometimes struggle to manage my time efficiently. This spring season I will work to do a better job of allowing myself breaks and time to take care of myself amidst the craziness of midterms, projects, etc.

    Over the years I have learned different ways to approach stressful situations. I have learned not to let my emotions overwhelm me, but rather to approach stressful situations in a way that allows me to break them down and take them step by step or day by day so that they appear less stressful or threatening. For example, when I have a week that is filled with multiple exams, papers, presentations, Bonner meetings, or whatever else may be thrown my way, I often like to first prioritize what needs to be done first, then plan out each day in terms of what work needs to be done when, and then focus solely on the day that I’m on so that the work no longer seems unending. I write things down so that I can cross them off and feel accomplished once they are finished.

    I think that one way I can work to find harmony and balance is by allotting myself a certain amount of time each day that is solely for myself. Whether that be an hour to go to the gym, or watch a show, or read a book. One thing that helps me to relax and unwind is reading, and I don’t mean a chapter of my economics book, but rather a book simply for enjoyment. I haven’t been giving myself enough time to read lately and so for the rest of the semester I want to set aside at least a half an hour a day to just sit and read. I know the end of the semester will be hectic, but as long as I take it day by day and give myself time to unwind, I will find the balance I need to finish out my first year of college successfully.

  49. Rayan Omer says:

    One of the major challenges this season will bring me is how fast time will fly by. Academically speaking I will have a lot of assignments and projects given to me at once, test and quizzes will start to become more frequent, and it’s my responsibility to push myself to the max in order to finish strong this semester. I’m going to try and dedicate the weekends to catch up on studying new material, writing essays/research papers, and doing most of my homework that’s due the next week so I won’t stress out as much. I’ll also try and take an hour a day to take time to myself and do a hobby I enjoy so I don’t feel demotivated to do any college work. The first step I should take is definitely remind myself that if I put in the hard work now, it’ll pay off in the future. Another step is that I should hold myself responsible for the times I do slack off or didn’t want to go out of my comfort zone. The last step is to try and enjoy life even if I feel like I don’t have the time or desire to.

  50. Laniqua Mack says:

    One of my main challenges is finding the movtivation to accomplish my work load with senioritis. I find myself procrastinating more and more making it harder and more stressful to complete my tasks. I think the first step was already admitting I have a problem and utilizing my resources to help me solve it. Whether it’s having a body double to help me focus or planning out weekly goals. Another step I can take to hold myself more accountable is forcing myself to go somewhere boring and uncomfortable like the library to help me stay on track.

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