Study Hacks: "Last week, I received an e-mail from a student who I’ve advised in the past. His new semester was about to start and he was worried about his schedule.
“I think I’m overcommitting myself,” he told me. “I considered dropping some activities, but it’s hard because I want to do them all.”"
8 comments:
I disagree with the notion that you should commit yourself to one main goal/major and limit yourself in extracurricular activities completely, or at least i disagree with it applying to cmu students. last year i tried to focus on my major, dedicated so much time to it, limited myself to other opportunities and in the end, really regretted it, not only because i switched majors but because in school like cmu where so many opportunities are available like joining clubs, volunteering, playing sports, working with charities, doing research, or cmu traditions like pushing buggy, doing booth, i think students should try to do as many different activities and pursue all opportunities possible and I regret that i wasted a year not being as proactive as i could be about my education not only as a student but as a person
It's useful to get involved with activities, the problem comes when the activities drive your existence at a school and the classes take a back seat. Trying different activities, joining different groups, experimenting with whatever you choose to experiment with, they're all part of figuring out what you really like and want to do. Maybe it's your major, maybe the activities turn out to be your real interest. If they are though, it's time for some kind of a change - if you no longer want to do what you came to school for (and it's not a short term thing) then it's time to change majors (and maybe even schools) so you're studying something you want to do. If you need to make more time to accommodate that experimenting then relax by doing it during a semester (or year, etc.) with a light schedule so you don't burn yourself out in the process.
I completely agree with Grace- I don't believe at all in the rule of one. First, i am a double major in Math and Drama Production. And i have an idea of how i want to combine it (if you're interested come talk to me....) I am doing activities within the drama school, as well as trying to sing in an acapella group, and doing some outside performing. I think the article also leaves out one VERY important activity- Physical Activity. It is the physical activity (it was swimming, starting next week i will be rowing with the crew team) that allows me to pursue all the other goals. Many many people can explain to you the relaxation benefits of physical activity.
I would also tend to agree with this article, but to a point. I do think that having a laundry list of activities doesn't necessarily make sense. Especially if you are not truly committed to your activities. I am definitely someone who does a lot. but i am truly committed to everything I do. And the whole one major thing, i think goes against what he said about finding time to do what you love. If you love chemistry and also have a passion for bagpipes, why not major in both? You'll be happier and end up looking unique.
Like tom said, figure out what you like to do the most, and then do it, but don't burn your candle at both ends.
I think what this article leaves out is knowing what you can handle. For example I know that I could handle an extra activity if it was something that was only a weekly meeting with no outside homework. However I couldn't do something like crew which requires waking up at 5 am after getting home at midnight from rehearsal. If you're piling on activities to look impressive then the author is right and you're going to be miserable (and misery is rarely impressive). If you're being smart about your time and what you yourself can handle or need in order to be happy then you'll be fine.
This is the philosophy I followed all through high school--join one club and go crazy with it. I feel that it looks a lot better to choose one activity to commit to completely than to join a million different clubs in order to look well-rounded. The only case in which this outlook isn't perfect, in my opinion, is when it applies to choosing a major. Sometimes it makes sense to double major when your two majors are closely linked, but I agree that choosing two opposite majors (while I'm sure it's very interesting) isn't wise.
I'm on the fence when it comes to this article...I think that you have to place yourself somewhere in between the two extremes. I think that limiting yourself to the rule of one is not good because then you are missing out on a lot of amazing experiences, but I also think that overloading yourself can be hazardous as well. It really comes down to a balancing act.
While I definitely committed myself to a very slim variety of extra-curriculars. I do believe that you should do as much as you personally can handle. I also agree that it is important to prioritize regardless of what the activities are. You must know first and foremost what you have to do comes before what you like to do. Balance is important and while committing yourself to a single thing can be very rewarding, it is important to have other outlets that you enjoy and make time to do.
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