By Sara Halickman

I can remember sitting in a tax season “kick-off” meeting, my first as an aspiring CPA working at an accounting firm, concerned about how I may or may not have sold my soul for the next two months and if I would have to say goodbye to my friends for the time being. One of the managers was fielding an obvious question about what expected overtime hours would be and said “don’t stop doing the things that are important to you just because it’s tax season. If there are things you like doing, keep doing them, because if you don’t you wont be happy”. The matter-of-fact way he communicated his point stuck with me, and I’ve made sure to keep those wise words in the back of my mind since.

Those words are certainly ones to live by, regardless of the season or scenario. I like to keep them tucked away and in those moments I feel pressured with studies or tired at work, I pull them out, reminding myself that I’m allowed to take some time to see friends, work out, or just make sure I’m taking deep enough breaths. What I’ve learned in juggling school, work, and some semblance of a social life, is that nothing needs to be completely cut out. My mother once told me that “you can’t dance at all the weddings”, but you can certainly make time for the most significant of them. My constant juggling act has helped me pick up a few tips and tricks along the way:

1.Prioritize. If your exam is this week, put studying first. But if your best friend’s birthday is also this weekend and nothing would make you happier than to attend, plan your study schedule in advance. In my experience, the motivation to spend time with your friends will help you get started on whatever it is beforehand and allow you those few hours off to celebrate.

2. Keep doing the things that make you happy. If you’re the type of person who thrives on physical activity or getting outdoors, make the time for it. Don’t sacrifice your well-being to stay an extra hour at work; find days you can wake up early or leave work earlier to get that time in. You’ll be happier and more productive that way: everyone wins.

3. Put yourself first. Don’t feel bad when you can’t do everything you feel you should be; if you’re tired or need a break, give you regrets to the social outing you aren’t up for. If you don’t feel well, call in sick. Make sure you aren’t foregoing your own well-being to please everyone else. Eventually you will be able to dance at all the weddings, and it will be a lot more fun when you aren’t overwhelmed.