The Art of Balancing College Life and Running a Business
Balancing college and running a business feels like juggling fire—it’s exciting, overwhelming, and sometimes downright chaotic. As a full-time college student majoring in kinesiology with a pre-med minor and an exercise science concentration, I know firsthand how demanding life can get. Adding the responsibility of running my own business made it even more challenging. But through trial and error, I’ve learned how to manage it all without completely losing my mind.
If you’re someone who dreams of building something bigger while still chasing a degree, this one’s for you.
1. Time Management is Your Lifeline
When you’re balancing classes, exams, assignments, and running a business, time becomes your most valuable currency. I realized early on that I couldn’t just "wing it." I had to create a schedule that accounted for every hour of my day—classes, study sessions, client meetings, and, yes, time for myself.
Using tools like Google Calendar and Notion saved me. Blocking out time for specific tasks kept me from procrastinating, and seeing my day planned out gave me a sense of control in the chaos.
2. Learn to Say No
This was one of the hardest lessons for me. In college, everyone wants to hang out, party, or pull you into group projects. While socializing is important, I had to prioritize my business and my future.
Saying no doesn’t mean you don’t care about your friends; it means you care about your goals. The people who truly support you will understand.
3. Maximize Your Energy
Let’s be honest—there’s only so much you can do in a day. That’s why I learned to prioritize tasks that align with my peak energy levels. For me, mornings are when I’m most productive, so that’s when I focus on deep work like writing blogs, planning strategies, or completing school projects.
By the time my energy dips later in the day, I shift to easier tasks like responding to emails or brainstorming ideas for the next day.
4. Outsource What You Can
As my business grew, I realized I couldn’t do everything on my own. Whether it was delegating certain tasks to automation tools or hiring freelancers for specific projects, outsourcing helped me focus on what I’m best at.
If you’re running a business while in school, think about what tasks you can hand off. It’ll free up your time and let you focus on what really matters.
5. Don’t Forget Self-Care
This might sound cliché, but burnout is real. Between late nights studying and early mornings working on my business, I used to run myself into the ground. Now, I make it a point to take care of my physical and mental health.
For me, that means staying consistent with workouts, eating well, and taking a break when I need it. A healthy mind and body are essential if you want to perform at your best.
Final Thoughts
Balancing college life and running a business isn’t easy, but it’s absolutely worth it. The skills you develop, the discipline you build, and the growth you experience will set you apart in ways you can’t even imagine.
If you’re in college and thinking about starting a business, know this: it’s possible. You just have to manage your time, protect your energy, and stay focused on the bigger picture.
So, what’s stopping you?
