Find balance between school, work, fun

I think a lot of us are working hard because of what is mentioned in Our View. This recession is tough and, while it may not have hit some of us on an individual level, it will soon enough.

I have a scholarship, and, as long as I keep it, everything but extras is paid for until I graduate.

But I have three jobs because I don't want to waste my time here. I am an editor at The Herald, an intern at the Jonesboro Sun and I carry 15 hours.

Yes, college counts as a job.

Anyways, I sometimes feel like just getting all the stuff I need to do out of the way and doing nothing else, but there is a value in making time for friends and for fun. Trust me.

Climbing the ladder is great, but remember that being up there will be disappointing if you have no one beside you. Friends and family are so important; don't lose yourself in ambition.

But also don't lose yourself in fun. Find a balance. There are 24 hours in a day; you don't need to sleep for 10-12 of them and neglect homework.

Besides homework, other things are more important than sleeping.

I usually get home from work at 11 p.m. and I'm often tired, but I invite my best friend over to watch "Criminal Minds" at least once a week. I know the little time I spend with her is more important than those few hours I would have lost to sleep.

Make time to just hang out, you don't have to go anywhere or do anything. Sometimes the best adventures with friends come out of not having anything to do for lack of money or opportunity.

Of course, good friends won't mind if you're busy sometimes because they will be busy, too. A friend shouldn't be upset all the time because you are doing what you need to do to be successful.

If you explain this to them and they still don't care, then they are not a true friend.

Real friends want you to be the best person you can be.

As far as relationships, a good boyfriend or girlfriend will understand when you can't make time for them.

But that is no excuse to neglect them altogether. If you're really preoccupied, like me, do something extra for your special someone when you can.

Take them out to dinner. Rent their favorite movie, even if you have watched it 50 times.

Make them dinner one night. Sometimes they need to know by your actions that they are important to you.

This way they will know that, even when you can't spend time with them, you at least think about how they feel.

As for family, I cannot stress enough that if you have a family that you love and parents that are there for you, never take it for granted.

I'm not ashamed to say I call my mom at least once a day. Sometimes just to say good morning. Loving parents miss you when you go off on your own and they deserve consideration because they are the ones that taught you how to be independent.

Now, for those of you who don't have a great family like mine, I know that nearly everyone has a network of people they can turn to when the world seems too harsh.

I know that most individuals have at least one person they call or go see when something really good happens.

The same rules apply to these people that apply to how a loving family should be treated.