Balancing Finances

As we get caught up in our day to day lives, we often forget that most everything we do in a day costs money. For instance, there's the gas and tolls to drive to work, the money we used for lunch that day, and of course the car payment for the car we drove and cell phone payment for the phone we used. Then, we get home, and there's the bills that accumulate there, too. So how are we supposed to keep up with all the bills when we're already so incredibly busy? It's very similar to how we balance everything else in our lives, but we definitely have to make finances a priority.

First of all, make sure you write down your expenses each month. It's a lot like scheduling in everything you have to do in your planner. The reason for this is so you don't forget anything, which is very easy to do - especially if you're a very busy person. For instance, there was one month where I completely forgot about my car insurance payment because I was overwhelmed with tests, papers, and on top of that I was working a 50 hour work week. Luckily, I was signed up for automatic withdrawal so it just took it from my account and thankfully I had just been paid so I had the money in there. However, this could have been a really bad situation if I wasn't enrolled in automatic withdrawal or, even worse, if they tried to withdraw and overdrew my bank account. So make sure to write down what you have to pay and when either on a calendar in your house or right in your planner where you know you'll be looking every day.


If you do have a bill you forgot about, don't freak out. Most of them have grace periods, so call customer service and explain what happened. If worse comes to worse (for example, the electricity gets turned off,) just pay your bill as soon as you can and remember to write it down for next month. If it's one or two times, it is usually understandable - just don't make a habit of it.

In addition to writing down all your payments, don't forget to keep track of your bank account somehow. Now, I know a lot of us depend on online banking (myself included,) but a backup tracker is essential. One of the reasons is because pending transactions can sometimes show up wrong on online banking systems. For example, you might get $40.00 in gas but it shows up as $1.00 until it completely goes through. This can definitely get you into trouble. Another reason to have a backup way to track your purchases is that sometimes places will charge you twice and sometimes the charge won't even show up until days after you've made the purchase - so you're not even thinking about it. Yes, online banking is great for double checking everything is going through correctly, but don't let it be your only version of tracking your purchases.


If you're anything like me, you probably work a lot but also have a lot of bills that the money goes to. If that's the case, make sure you take into consideration any days you miss at work. For instance, if you're sick for a couple days, remember that you might have to go a few nights without going out because you'll need to use the money you'll be getting for bills. It's important to keep track of how much income you have coming in as opposed to what's going out.


In addition, don't lean too much on credit cards. Remember that the purpose of them is to build your credit and use strategically or in emergencies. The last thing you want to do is depend on it like a crutch and then find yourself trying to catch up on an ever increasing credit card bill. This will only add to the stress I'm sure you already have with a busy lifestyle. Credit cards are great - just be wary.






Don't let finances bring you down. Unfortunately, money is a huge source of stress for many if not all of us. Instead of letting it drive you crazy, remember to only focus on what you can control. In other words, work on getting the hours you need to pay your bills and pay off your credit cards and loans with whatever you can afford. Don't freak out if it's not all paid off at the end of the month, you're not alone in that. Just make sure to sacrifice what you need to in order to reach your financial goals next month. I can't even count how many times I've had to give up going out or doing something I really wanted to get caught up financially. It's not easy and you'll be upset, but it'll be worth it when you no longer have debt hanging over your head. Just remember to not let it get you down and opt for less expensive activities to get you through (like crafting or watching movies on TV.)

Not all of us have this luxury lol

In all actuality, it really depends on the person on how to balance out your finances. Try these steps and see if that helps you get things under control. Remember that, sadly, finances have to take a huge priority in our lives. Therefore, do what you have to do in order to set them straight. If you're having more trouble than what's discussed here, consider calling your billing companies and trying to work out a different payment plan or see a financial advisor. Hopefully you're just having a little trouble finding time to balance and this will help you out! Remember, you can't do everything (we're not superman, after all!) But you can handle a lot more than you think. So take a deep breath and tackle your finances for next month! 

Just A Little Fast Dinner - McCormick Chicken & Carrots

Do you have an hour to cook dinner? No? Well how about ten minutes to prepare it and stick it in the oven, then can you come back and get it 45 minutes later? If you can, you have to check out this delicious and easy recipe.

Pick up some boneless chicken cutlets (Publix is my preference.) Check out the spices aisle, and over by where the shake and bake stuff is you can find McCormick Bag n' Season packets. Pick up the one for chicken (I use original, but there's a spicier version, too.) Don't forget veggies (I love using baby carrots, but you can also pick up some broccoli, cauliflower, potatoes, etc.)

Take the bag out of the packet and place it in a 13x9 inch pan. Put the oven on 350 to preheat. Take your chicken and season it with the packet seasoning (both sides.) Place chicken in the bag and  fill it with the veggies you want. Use remaining seasoning to sprinkle over the veggies and chicken. Loosely tie the bag up with the little black tie that comes with the pack and poke 4-6 small holes in the top of the bag.

Bake for 45-60 minutes (depending on how many veggies you have.) It's that easy! This is one of my favorite fast recipes, and it tastes great as leftovers. Oh, and did I mention this whole meal costs about $6.00?! Yummy, fast, AND affordable? Count me in!

P.S. This is a total carb friendly meal :)

Don't you just love my fancy dinner ware? ;)

Catching Up

Why is it that falling behind on tasks is so easy to do, but catching up is virtually impossible? This has happened to me many times throughout my academic and professional career, and when I fall behind I usually turn straight to freak out mode. However, I've learned a lot through my experiences and I've learned that falling behind isn't fun, but it's not impossible to overcome.

The first thing I recommend doing when you fall behind is to just take a deep breath and realize that you're going to have a rough week (month, year) until you can get caught up. It's not going to be easy, and it's going to test your patience. Just realize that whatever the reason was, you fell behind and now you have to deal with it. Then, grab your handy dandy planner or favorite to-do list pad, and start listing everything that needs to get done and the due date. This will help you organize your craziness and figure out what to focus on.


Something to remember when you fall behind is that you're not alone. There are so many people who fall behind on what they have to do, in fact, most likely your boss or professor has to do the same catching up that you do. However, this doesn't mean run to whoever is in charge and complain about your life to get an extension. In my opinion, extensions are rarely ever given - and if you ask for one, that person's perception of you will change drastically. Don't put yourself in that situation. Instead, take control and take responsibility for what's going on. It's time to get things done, not try to make them go away.

Remember to prioritize. If you have something due tomorrow, obviously that has to take precedence, even if the item that's due next week is a larger project that requires a lot of time. Prioritizing also goes for what you do with your day. Maybe you do yoga with the girls every Monday or you have an event for a social organization on Thursday. As hard as it is, you have to choose what is more important - going to that party, or getting that report on your boss's desk. I've seen it so many times in college where my close friends have denied their responsibilities because they would rather go out and have fun. The unfortunate truth is that with academics this can often lead to academic probation or disqualification, and with work, this often leads to disciplinary action, less hours, or worse: termination. 


It's just like handling stress, in a way. Put one foot in front of the other and take one step at a time. Crossing things off your list should help you feel a little better, but catching up is a little different than having a regular busy week. If you fell behind, that could mean that you're trying to do three weeks' work in one. The key is to realize that you should focus on what's attainable and what isn't. Spread your time out wisely and don't freak out over what you can't control. If you spend your energy worrying about that assignment that was due last night that you completely forgot about, that's less energy you'll have to focus on that report due on Friday that you can actually do. Sometimes, things happen - focus on what can be changed, not on the past.

Even though you've fallen behind, it's important to focus on what you need to do in the next couple of weeks, too, so that you don't fall even farther behind. I've had it happen to me so many times - I get to the end of "hell week" and get caught up, or so I think, only to look at my planner for the next week and realize I'm now behind on those tasks. So, even if you only do a little work on things for the upcoming weeks, make sure you don't ignore them completely.


Remember to take time for yourself. It's hard to schedule it in, especially if you're catching up on multiple things, but it's important to not add excessive stress to your already overloaded schedule. Take a few minutes to do something you enjoy, even if it's not to the fullest extent. For instance, if you're missing your daily workouts but don't have time to hit the gym, take 10-15 minutes to stretch. Doing this will release those endorphins you're craving but won't make you sweaty enough to need to take a shower. Stretching also clears your head for a while because you have to focus on your breathing and your reach.

Overall, falling behind can be a disaster. Most of us stress out until we're caught back up, but just remember to take it one step at a time and realize that complaining about it won't make it go away. Find your inner strength and power through your to-do list and before you know it, Saturday will be here greeting you with open arms.

Key West Adventures

For the most part, my blog posts have been mostly about tips on how to balance out a particular part of life. However, every now and then, I get a little selfish, and that's exactly what I did this week.


This week was spring break for my university, and since it's my last one, some of my sorority sisters and I decided to go to Key West. Now, I have lived in Florida for about 8 years now, but I have never made it out to the Keys. Let me just say, it's like living in an entirely different world down there! I had an amazing time with some of my best friends and it was honestly an adventure I'll never forget. So, I know it's a little out of the ordinary for my blog, but if you're ever in Key West, here are some things you MUST do!


1. Get a drink at Fat Tuesday's. Now, I made a visit to New Orleans for Mardi Gras a couple weeks ago, but the Fat Tuesday's there is surprisingly not as fun as the one in Key West. In my opinion, Fat Tuesday's is the best place on Duval to go for a GREAT tasting drink that does the trick, and if it's around this time of the year, it's likely to be the hottest spot on the street. My personal favorite: 190 Octane, but feel free to try whatever sounds good to you. :)

Fat Tuesday's Drink and Ray Bans, what more do you need?

2. Go to Mallory Square for the Sunset Celebration. Key West is one of the most beautiful places to watch the sun dip down into the water, and Mallory Square makes it a blast. They have fun street performance shows as well as street art you can buy. The crowd is usually a big one, and the sunset never disappoints. In fact, the day we went it was actually cloudy, but the sun still managed to peak out for a little while and the celebration made it just as great as I expected. My personal favorite: check out the guy who looks like Captain Jack Sparrow, you'll see him stumbling around talking to himself, so funny!


3. Visit the Southern Most Point. One of the most unique things about being in Key West is knowing that you can't go any further south in the USA. When you're down there, pull up your iPhone maps app and you'll feel surreal. Looking around and realizing you're completely surrounded by water and only a mere 90 miles from Cuba gives the key an out-of-this-world feeling. It's a must to document it with the Southern Most Point statue. My personal favorite: Check out the house right next door to the marker, it's the southern most house in the USA! 

4. Venture up to the top of the La Concha hotel on Duval. You can go inside through the Starbucks below and take the elevator to the top floor. There's a full service bar up there, as well as an incredible view of the entire island. Truly a breathtaking sight, and it's free! :) My personal favorite: check out the view of the cruise ships, it's a majestic sight.

5. Eat at The Conch Republic. This is a great restaurant that boasts some of Key West's finest sea food. Now, I don't actually like sea food, but their chicken was great! Honestly, the best part is their amazing mojitos - definitely worth a try! My personal favorite: Happy hour is from 4-7 at the bar! :)


6. Visit Dante's. Dante's is an outdoor bar a few blocks from Duval that has a pool right in the middle of it. The best part? You can lounge by the pool or even be in it and have your drinks delivered. It's a great hot spot and so much fun. My personal favorite: If you get there early enough or catch it at the right time, you can call dips on the floating beer pong table in the pool. :P

7. Check out Smather's Beach. This is the only little stretch of beach on the key that isn't private, and it's a lot of fun. If you go around Spring Break time, don't be surprised to find it swamped with drunken college kids. However, get there early enough and you can enjoy some peaceful hours, and from what my cab driver told me, it's usually not as crazy and is the number one beach to go to on the key. My personal favorite: Smather's Beach food stands - you can get two hot dogs or two tacos, fries, and a drink for 5 bucks! Hey, not bad for beach food in the Keys ;)


8. Hit up the mile 0 marker. It's crazy to think that you're at mile 0 in a state, let alone mile 0 in the entire US. You can find this marker not too far from Duval. It's a must see and a great photo opp. My personal favorite: walk there, because there is no close parking! :)

9. Make a trip to Hogs Breath. This little bar is located right off of Duval, and they are a fun spot to check out. When we were there, there was live music and the bar was full of fun people. My personal favorite: You have to try the key lime shooters! It's like key lime pie in a shot glass with a kick ;)


10. Drink some fresh coconut water. This is a pretty standard treat for an island, but it's something you have to try. They pull our a coconut and drill a hole in it for a straw. It's a different taste, but a fun experience! My personal favorite: Check out the guys who sell it out of their truck near the Southern Most Point, so nice and tasty!

11. Go to Rick's between 8 and 11 at night. They run a drink special there that for $10 cover, you get a cup and have free drinks until 11. The best part is that there are multiple bars within Rick's, so you don't have to stick with the same drink the entire time. My personal favorite: Check out the frozen daiquiri bar on the second floor - yummy stuff!


12. And finally, if you dare, go to the Garden of Eden. This rooftop bar is clothing optional, which means you're bound to see some interesting sights. I would suggest going at a busy time, like during Spring Break or a popular part of the summer. Sometimes it's only a few people naked, maybe just a couple who are topless, but you might end up there on a night where the roof is packed. At any rate, it's a fun time and something you don't see every day. My personal favorite: Check out the guy who does body painting in the corner of the bar. If you want to get a little naked but don't want it to show, he's great at illusions!






There you have it. If you're ever in Key West, these are the top things I think should be on your must do list. Overall, I've learned one thing about Key West: You can never leave as the same person you were when you arrived! :)

Group Projects - "Do's and Don't's"

I'll keep this one short and sweet. Being an advertising/public relations major, I've had to work in so many group settings I can't even remember them all. Whether you have to do it for school, work, or in an extra curricular activity, working on a group project usually proves to be tricky. It's difficult to have a good experience, but here are some simple "do's and don't's" to keep in mind.

DO gather contact information for easy communication. Be the person to step up when the group is first formed and get a list of everyone's first and last names, emails, and phone numbers. You can use their first and last name to find them on Facebook and create a group for easy conversation and sharing, and you can also put everyone's email and phone number on the page so the entire group has it.

DO create an account with Box.com or a similar site. Sites like this let you create a file, invite people to share and contribute to it, and upload and download files. This is GREAT for group projects where everyone is going to be doing their own individual tasks. Instead of them having to email everyone and worrying about how long it will take, they just upload it to the box and the entire group can view it and can even download it and make changes if needed. 

DON'T sit back and not speak up. Not only will you not get your voice heard, but you'll be viewed as the person who doesn't do anything. Whether you really care or not, speak up and make sure your group knows you're invested in the project. Even if it's something as simple as what color font to use for the project cover, make sure you let them know you have an opinion and that you are part of the group.

DO your share of the work. Volunteer for the things you're good at (i.e. maybe you love to write so you offer to write all the copy, or maybe you're into research so you volunteer for that.) Most of the time, you're working on the group project for someone higher up, and your group members have access to that person. The last thing you want is them saying you didn't help on the project. If you're uncomfortable with the subject, just pick something you're good at and play on your strengths. You have to realize that you are going to have to do work - just because it's a group project doesn't mean you get to slack.

Don't let this ^ be your train of thought.

DON'T be that guy (or girl.) You know what I'm talking about, the one that takes complete control over the entire project and says they'll do everything and not to worry about it. It's easy to try to be a control freak, but the whole purpose of a group project is to experiment with working with other people. In the "real world," telling your colleagues that you'll do everything on a project isn't going to fly. Do your share and maybe a little more if you feel like someone else in the group is slacking, but be careful when you're dancing on that line. And with that...

DO trust your group members. Like I mentioned before, a lot is invested in a group project, so it's easy to try to take control so that everything gets done the way you want it to. This defeats the purpose of a group project, and the truth is if you overload yourself doing an entire group's work, your final project won't turn out as good as the other groups you're up against who actually shared the load. Three ideas are better than one, and it takes more than one person to put together a successful project.

DON'T complain about your group members. You don't get to choose who you work with in the real world, therefore complaining about your group members in school and trying to get them to change isn't going to teach you anything. Instead, take the challenge and figure out how to utilize the person you're not a fan of. Maybe they are really annoying but they are great at public speaking. Make sure to give them important speaking parts and make them feel like you care about them rather than telling them to shove off every time they speak. 

And finally, DO give credit where credit is due, both to yourself and your group members. If there is any type of evaluation at the end, make it as detailed as you can. You want the people who did a great job to get great rewards, and those who weren't so great to get what they deserve as well. Now, that doesn't mean rip someone apart. Keep it classy, but be honest. In the end, these evaluations will help you, too.

So there are a few tid bits from Mrs. Busy Pants about group projects. Now let me have it, what do you guys think is great advice for working in a group project? 

Leave your comment right under this post :)

Beat the Stress - Take Action

It's the week before Spring Break, which only means one thing: INSURMOUNTABLE AMOUNTS OF STRESS. There's midterms, shifts at work trying to rack up last minute money, homework, social events, and oh yeah, you also have to pack. 

There are so many articles giving us advice on how to avoid stress, but let's face it, it's pretty much impossible. People ask me ALL the time, "How do you do it? How do you not get stressed out?" The answer? I DO. I'm human, and just like everyone else, I feel the pressure of stress. In my opinion, it's impossible to never get stressed out. I think what really makes the difference is HOW you handle the stress. It's so easy to just throw your hands up in the air and whine and complain about how life isn't fair and you have an incredible amount of things on your plate and no time to do it (yeah, I've been there before.) So if you have to do that, then do it, but after you're done you have to do something about it. Just like weight loss or any other goal in our lives, complaining doesn't get us far. It's action that really makes the difference.


So if after you've read all those articles about how to not be stressed out you still somehow magically happen to succumb to stress anyway (impossible not to, seriously,) here are some tips to help you get back on track and get what you need to get done, DONE.


1. Take a breath. I know I often find myself running through the list of things I have to do and I literally start breathing heavy. I freak out inside, and the next thing I know I'm either crying, screaming, or whining to someone about my problems. Truth is, none of that will help (although crying sometimes makes me feel a little better.) So, after I get it out of my system, I sit down, take a deep breath, and try to ignore the big picture and focus on all the little steps I need to take to accomplish my tasks. In my opinion, this is the hardest step, because calming yourself down in a moment of pure freak out is a difficult task. So when it's time for you to start taking action, literally sit down in a chair or on your couch and just breathe. Focus on your breaths (yoga style) and let your mind relax. Focus on how your breath sounds and feels and now on what you have to do. Do this for about five minutes, and then open your eyes, take one final deep breath, and get started. A relaxed, calmed mind is going to function better than one that's frazzled. So don't shove your head in a computer, just breathe.

2. Make a To-Do List. This is not an easy step either because you have to prioritize. I usually use my planner to make my lists so I can appropriate what I have to do with the day I have to do it. But you can also just make a running list and put the "due date" in a separate column. Be careful how you organize your list, the last thing you want to do is get to Thursday and realize that something that was due Wednesday still isn't crossed off. Making the list will not only help you organize when you need to do what, but it should also help you feel a little better. Seeing everything written out on paper usually makes it seem smaller than when it's circling inside of your head. Also, there's nothing like the feeling of crossing an item off the list. The smaller it gets, the less stressed you'll feel.

3. Resist temptations. You're more than welcome to take a study break and take a walk or lay down on your bed and just relax for a little while, but you have to be wary of the temptations that can lead you off course. For instance, avoid Facebook and Pinterest (if your task doesn't involve using a computer, stay off it. If it does, change your passwords or log out so that it's more work to get to those sites.) Also, you're almost guaranteed to have friends around you who don't have as much to do and want you to go out at night or join them for some sort of event, but it's important to stay focused. I've been there before and I've had times when I made the wrong decision. What ends up happening? The entire time I'm out or on Facebook I think about everything I should be doing and that starts to raise my stress level. Then, when I finally do get back on track, I realize how far I set myself back and the stress increases more. So basically, I have to restart at step one, and sometimes there's not even time for that. The key is to stay focused and realize that if you can get through your list, the reward of relaxation will be better than those temptations can offer.


4. Call Mom or Dad. It seems ridiculous, right? You're a grown adult, why should you call them? Well, the truth is, the older people in our lives have been through this crap and they are the ones who can make us realize how small our problems really are. If your mom and dad aren't in your lives, try your boss, grandparents, or anyone else you're close with who isn't in the same generation. What happens when you complain to your friends? They probably shift the focus to them and tell you everything THEY have to do, or worse, tell you that they don't know what you're going to do and give you a simple, "Man, that sucks." But, if you tell your mom, dad, or another elder, they're more likely to help you calm down and see the big picture. They will reinforce the "take it one step at a time" notion and sometimes they even have helpful hints for some of the tasks you have. Overall, it's a safe bet, and on top of that, it's a comforting step that will help ease your stress. It's crazy what the voice of a loved one can do for a stressed soul!

5. Reward yourself. When you cross something off your list, reward yourself with a small something. It may be a dessert you love, reading a chapter of a book you're in the middle of, or catching up on a show. Even though you have a lot to do, your brain needs rest between tasks. If you do five homework assignments and then try to move straight into studying for a test while simultaneously doing your laundry, cooking dinner, and planning a social event - your brain is going to go into overload and most likely shut down. How many times have you been in the middle of studying and realized you aren't remembering anything? Or maybe you're doing a homework assignment and then realize you're doing it all wrong? It's a terrible feeling, and one way to avoid it is to let your brain relax before moving it to the next item on the list. Plus, it helps keep your stress level down if you're happy and content as opposed to freaking out.

6. Wake up early instead of staying up late. I really hate this one, but it is such great advice. I'm a night person, so I used to choose the option of pulling an all-nighter to get things done. Unfortunately, most of my work I did during these all-nighters was C quality at best. The best option is to go to sleep at a decent time and wake up early to start on your tasks. Even if you work in the morning, waking up a few hours before you have to leave will give you ample time to get things done. Your brain will feel rested and ready to face new challenges and your body will be more relaxed, too. By the end of the day, your body is tense from the day's activities. But in the morning, it's freshly rested and ready to take on the world. If you're a night person like me, try it. I promise it will yield amazing results!

7. Avoid the stimulants. Maybe it's because I'm in college, but I can't even count how many of my friends I've seen wait until the last minute, stress out, and then take Adderall to try to get everything finished. Not only is this terrible for your body, but most of the time it has adverse effects. I had one friend take it, stay up all night studying, and then she ended up falling asleep an hour before her exam and missing it all together. I had another friend take it and then she got on Facebook for a minute and the next thing she knew it was three hours until her exam and she hadn't even written a notecard. Almost all my friends who have taken it feel exhausted the next day and can't enjoy the time after their task is over, which should be the time they feel most relaxed and happy. Overall, it's a bad choice. I know I know, I sound like a PSA right now, but in my opinion, it's just not worth the risk. If you absolutely HAVE to pull an all-nighter to get things done, I suggest a more natural approach, like taking B-12 vitamins or even the 5 Hour Energy shot. It's not the best method, but it's the least harmful in my opinion.

8. If after all of this you still feel crazy stressed and can't shake it, my last bit of advice is to just let it out. Sometimes the stress we're under is unlike any we've experienced before and taking these simple steps just isn't enough. In those times, it's better to just let it out. Cry, scream, write it down, tell a friend, whatever you have to do. Not only does this let you release the tension, but usually after this, you realize that the only thing to do is take action. Sometimes it takes this step before you can start with step one. So don't be ashamed and don't think you're being irrational or that you're the only one. Just let it all out, and then get to work.

Overall, stress is an unavoidable hassle and we all have some sort of stress in our lives. My hopes for you are that they remain small and manageable. My mom always tells me that I'll never be handed more than I can handle. There have been times when I've refuted this, argued it to no end, thrown my hands in the air and threatened to give up. But eventually, I see the light at the end of the tunnel, I reach my goal, and the stress disappears. I'm not saying it's easy, because nothing in life worth anything ever is. But my point is, in the end, action is what makes the difference, and if it's a goal worth stressing over, it's a goal worth pursuing - and the reward will be worth the work.

"You've Got a Friend in Me"

It's crazy, we go through life making friends in so many different ways - at work, at school, in social organizations, and sometimes through other friends and casual parties. In any case, it may seem overwhelming trying to keep up with all your friends sometimes. Of course, we all have those certain friends that we see all the time effortlessly (for most, roommates and best friends.) But what about those other great friends that we want to stay close with? How do we fit them in along with all the other tasks clogging up our planners? Well, with a little effort, it can be done. And trust me, your friends will take note! Here are just a few tips I have to help you get started, because I really think once you can get organized, the time with friends will come easily. After all, social life is supposed to be the fun part :P


1. Make plans, and don't break them. It's so easy to write on a friends wall "Hey let's get lunch this week!" or text them and say "We should totally hang out soon!" But the truth is, vague invitations like this are a cop out. It makes you feel like you're making an effort to hang out with someone, but it makes them feel like you're just trying to let them know you are still there, but that you don't have time for them. So, instead of being so vague, ask a specific question and make plans. For instance, say "I'm free Thursday around 1:00! Want to get lunch on campus?" or maybe "My Wednesday night is free and I'm thinking two for one margaritas at Applebees!" Whatever time you have to give, it shows that you really do want to hang out. Of course, it won't always work out for the best. Sometimes they have plans that don't match up with your schedule, so you may have to keep trying before you find something that works. But when you DO find something that works, it's important to KEEP YOUR PLANS. The worst thing you can do is make plans and then send a text a couple hours before you're supposed to meet up with some lame excuse as to why you can't make it. Things come up, that's true, but if you make plans with a friend and then get a homework assignment, you'll just have to figure out a different time to do it or cut the visit with your friend a little shorter than you planned. At least if you show up and explain the situation, they know you wanted to see them so much that you made a sacrifice. Overall, it's better to make specific plans and keep them - everyone will be happy! :)


2. Don't forget! A lot of times, we make plans with so many people that we may have to be two places at once. To avoid this, put your social times in your planner just like the rest of your daily tasks. For instance, I may have written in my planner "Quiz 2 due, work for K92FM 9am - 1pm, pay electricity, hang out with Stacy after homework is done." This helps SO much because then if someone asks me to hang out on that night, I check my planner and see I already have plans with someone else. Like I said before, the worst thing you can do is cancel plans. So make sure you don't overbook!

3. Make the time. So far, I've given you some tips on making plans and keeping them, but how do you find the time to make the plans in the first place? Well, it takes sacrifice. Sometimes (or most of the time, depending on how you are) you probably want to just go home on a free night and collapse on your couch so you can dive into an endless marathon of Grey's Anatomy and eat everything in your fridge. But instead of that, make plans with a friend to do something similar. If you know you have a busy day on Tuesday but you have the evening off and only a small homework assignment due the next day, ask a friend to come hang out and watch TV or a movie. You can get junk food and make a fun night of it, and you'll still have time to do your homework assignment rather than if you chose to go out to a bar. However, if you have a full night off and you feel like you haven't been out in a while, treat yourself. IT'S OKAY to go out every now and then and enjoy life, especially if you're in college. It only happens once, and it's so important to make the most of it while you're there. So take a look at what you have to do for the week, PRIORITIZE, and then figure out who you want to hang out with and when you can fit them in. It may seem silly scheduling time with friends, but if you don't make an effort, you may soon realize that someone you used to be so close with doesn't know anything about you anymore.


4. Don't bring them down. When you do hang out with your friends, you may find your mind wandering to other things you have to do once you go back home. It's important that you drop all your concerns and focus on being in the moment with your friends. Have a good time with them and don't overwhelm them with all the things you have to do when the two of you split up, because most likely you're going to make them feel like they're holding you back and you'd rather be somewhere else. So make an effort to leave all the stress and "To Do" items in the back of your mind, even if it is only for a few hours.


5. If you really don't have the time, pick up the phone and be honest. It happens. Sometimes, we have "Hell Weeks" and we honestly can't make time for anything or anyone. If that happens, pick up the phone and give your friends a call. You can do this while you're doing other things, for instance, while you're taking a study break, doing homework, cooking dinner, driving home, or walking your dog. We are so addicted to texting because it's fast and easy, but the sad thing is, it's also very impersonal. If you pick up the phone and make an effort to ask how your friend is, they'll appreciate it a lot more. You also have the time to tell them everything that's going on in your "Hell Week," which is a good vent for you and lets them know why you can't hang out. You can always follow up with "I can't wait til it's over so we can have another movie night!" The point is, you DO care about your friends, so make sure they understand that and you show it clearly.

These are just a few pointers if you're feeling overwhelmed and like your friends are feeling ignored. Trust me, there isn't enough space on this blog to tell you all how many times I've had friends upset with me for not making enough time for them. I've learned more in this past year about how important it is to make time, even if it is just a lunch date. I hope you found this helpful, and I'm sure after you get started, you'll find that you had more time than you thought for friends. And believe me, if there's one thing that I've learned, it's that friends and family are what make this life worth living. <3