When people ask me how I balance everything in college, I honestly don't know what to tell them.

I'm a full-time student, and I play Division I Club Ice Hockey at Penn State. I also have leadership roles on my team, work as a Pearson Campus Ambassador (PCA), and somehow I’m supposed to enjoy college life, sleep, eat, and sometimes do laundry. Some weeks, it really feels like there aren’t enough hours in the day.

The Juggling Act

My schedule is rarely what I would call calm. There are early classes, assignments, meetings, practices, games, travel, work, recruiting, team responsibilities, and everything else that comes with being a college student.

Some days, I’m going from class to my apartment for assignments and PCA tasks, then to hockey practice. After that, it's back home to finish an assignment that I probably should have started earlier. Other days, I’m traveling for a game and trying to keep up with all of that from a hotel or bus.

Redefining Balance

For a long time, I thought being “balanced” meant having everything perfectly under control. I pictured a color-coded calendar where I knew exactly what I was doing every hour of the day. In reality, my planner is full, plans change constantly, and sometimes the best I can do is figure out what needs to get done next.

However, I have learned that balance, at least for me, doesn't necessarily mean giving everything equal attention. It means recognizing what needs my attention most in that moment.

During a busy hockey week, school might take a little more planning around travel and practice. During a week with a big exam, I might have to turn down plans with friends. And sometimes, I need to recognize that I've done enough for one day and give myself a break.

The Payoff

Hockey has taught me that I don’t have to do everything alone. Being part of a team means relying on other people, communicating when I’m overwhelmed, and trusting that everyone has responsibilities of their own. That mindset has carried over into school, work, and the other organizations I’m involved in.

There are definitely moments when I wonder why I said yes to one more thing. But then there are the moments that remind me why I did: bus rides after a big win, late-night conversations with teammates, getting through a difficult exam, meeting a new friend through work, or looking back at a week that felt impossible and realizing I somehow made it through.

Managing the Chaos

College is chaotic. I don’t think the goal is to completely eliminate that chaos.

For me, it’s about learning how to live in it without letting it take over. Some weeks are organized. Some are a complete mess. And honestly, I’m starting to realize that both are okay.

Maybe the chaos isn’t meant to be perfectly balanced. Maybe managing the chaos is part of the curriculum.

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