Dear Katy

Dear Katy,
I’m having trouble balancing my schoolwork with my social life. I want to do well and make good grades, but I also really want to have fun and make new friends. Going out gives me many opportunities to make friends but I’m so tired that sometimes I miss class. Any advice?
Sincerely,
Blood-Shot in Baker
Dear Blood-Shot in Baker
I completely understand, my friend! When there are so many new opportunities and people, it can be hard not to lose yourself in that scene. The first thing to realize is that your mental and physical health is more important than anything. The best thing for your general health is to make sure you’re getting sleep and putting the right stuff into your body and mind. Surround yourself with people that you want to be like—join study groups, make friends with the people in your classes. Remember that going out isn’t the only way to make friends!
When you do go out, however, be proactive. Have your homework done first, so you don’t have to worry about it the morning after—or after you get home. In addition, you should give yourself a time limit. Have in your head an amount of sleep you can operate on and work backwards from there. It’s not smart to go out alone, so have a group to walk/drive with (make sure at least one person is prepared to DD if you do drive). Once you get home, make sure you’re staying hydrated and remember to set your alarm (or maybe several).
Sincerely,
Katy