Campus Club ambassador Brandon King shares the two habits that helped him balance classes, exam prep, work, and personal life at George Mason University.
Finding the right balance in school can be tricky, especially when you're juggling classes, a job, and studying for SOA or CAS exams. It can take some time to get right. For me, it took failing my first attempt at Exam P and readjusting my schedule many times before I found something that worked.
For me, it took failing my first attempt at Exam P and readjusting my schedule many times before I found something that worked.
In talking with other students, I found that everyone approaches their schedule a little differently. Still, among the students who had a healthy balance, I noticed two things they all had in common.
Habit #1: Find What Drives You Most
For some, the drive comes from success in their studies, their work, and passing exams. Others find it in working toward having time for themselves.
Personally, I find my drive through learning. I love learning new things, and that feeling when I finally understand a topic is what pushes me to go further.
I love learning new things, and that feeling when I finally understand a topic is what pushes me to go further.
Habit #2: Take Time for Yourself
Even if you feel energized by your work, doing the same thing day after day will gradually drain that energy. When you notice it fading, make room for other things you enjoy.
For me, that's playing video games, reading, calling friends and family, or even heading out to a field with a hockey stick and shooting a ball around.
For me, that's playing video games, reading, calling friends and family, or even heading out to a field with a hockey stick and shooting a ball around.
When your energy runs low, give yourself permission to step away. Coming back after you've recharged helps you finish the task much more efficiently.
Putting It Into Practice
Applied to a student's schedule, these two habits can go a long way toward balancing school, studies, and personal life.
Some students have such a jam-packed schedule that there's little time left for a personal life. If that's you, and you're losing energy across everything you're doing, it may be time to reevaluate what's on your plate and see what you can take off.
If everything needs to stay, focus on the goal you're working toward and let that give you the energy to keep pushing forward.
About the Author
Brandon King is a third-year student at George Mason University studying mathematics with a concentration in actuarial mathematics. He serves as president of the school's Actuary Club, plays tuba in a jazz and soul group that gigs around the area, and works as a resident assistant on campus. Brandon has passed Exams P and FM with the help of Coaching Actuaries and has an internship with WTW's retirement practice in Arlington, VA. In every role he takes on, he aims to make a positive impact on at least one person's day, week, or life. Outside of actuarial work, Brandon loves food, from trying new restaurants to cooking, and even added a cooking class to his schedule.