“Life is like riding a bicycle. To keep your balance, you must keep moving.” – Albert Einstein.
Balancing a 4.0+ GPA with an active social life is challenging enough, but doing so while presiding over a music club, establishing a leadership club, and serving as a course representative takes it to a whole new level. Yet, with the right strategies, I managed to excel academically, while thriving in my leadership roles and maintaining a fulfilling social life. Here’s how I did it.
1.) Mastering Time Management: Time management was honestly my secret weapon. With so many responsibilities, I knew that every minute counted. By allocating specific times for each activity, I ensured that nothing was overlooked. This structured approach allowed me to stay on top of my assignments, and courseworks, while still dedicating time to my roles.
2.) Prioritising Academics without Sacrificing Leadership: As a course representative, I was the bridge between students and faculty, which added another layer of responsibility to my academic life. To maintain good grades, I broke down my assignments into smaller tasks, and tackled them early. This proactive approach meant that I never had to cram at the last minute, freeing up time for my leadership responsibilities.
3.) Leading with Purpose in the Music Club: Presiding over the music club was a beautiful experience that allowed me to blend my passion for music with leadership, constantly providing bangers to people’s doorsteps at the end of every academic week. I organised events, coordinated performances, all while staying true to my academic pursuits. By involving other valuable members in planning and decision-making, I delegated tasks effectively, ensuring that the club ran smoothly, even when my academic commitments intensified. This collaborative approach did not only strengthen the club, but also taught me valuable teamwork and time-management skills. A special thanks to Ojo Toluwanimi Tomiwa for his immense support towards the successful operations of the club.
4.) Establishing and Growing the Leadership Club: Founding the leadership club was one of my proudest achievements. I wanted to create a space where students could develop leadership skills, exchange ideas, and make positive impacts on campus. Balancing this new venture with studies required meticulous planning. I set goals for the club, occasionally organised events, and ensured meetings were efficient, expressive and focused.
5.) Being Selective with Social Activities: With so many responsibilities, I had to be selective about my social life. I prioritised events that helped me to unwind and build my social connection. I found ways to integrate socialising with my leadership roles, such as hosting informal gatherings after club meetings, or organising team-building activities for the leadership club. This helped to maintain strong social connections without sacrificing my academic performance.
6.) Practicing self-discipline and maintaining a balance: Self-discipline is crucial in keeping everything in order. There were times I had to say no to social invitations, especially when I had important deadlines, assignments or upcoming exams approaching. However, I understood the importance of taking breaks or enjoying downtime when necessary to avoid burnouts. By maintaining a healthy lifestyle with regular exercise, adequate sleep, and a balanced nutrition, I kept my energy levels high and my mind sharp.
Balancing a 4.0+ GPA with active leadership roles is challenging, but it’s entirely possible with the right mindset and strategies. Through effective prioritisation, time-management, and self-discipline, I was able to excel academically with active leadership roles. These experiences not only enriched my university life, but also equipped me with valuable skills that will serve me in the future.
