Last February I wrote a column about having fun but making sure work gets done. While I still agree with everything I wrote in that column, there’s a dangerous trap we can fall into – one where we end up spending more of our time on work and not enough on friends.

In my column last year, I gave some advice on how to figure out a balance between fun and work. I said before going out, consider how much you have to do. Realize you just spent five nights in a row with your friends. One night of studying and getting some sleep won’t kill you; in fact, it’ll probably help you.

I still agree with that; however, let’s twist it up a little. Before staying in, think of when you last had fun. Realize you just spent (insert time here – five days, three weeks, two months…) basically only studying. One night of having fun and spending some quality time with your friends won’t set you behind; in fact, it’ll probably help you because you’ll feel happier again.

I’m a perfectionist. That trait can be seen as a strength or a weakness. I set high goals and work to get an A or do the best I can at whatever I do. Sometimes I procrastinate, but a lot of the time when things wait until the last minute to get done, it’s because I’ve just been too busy. When the time finally comes to something needing to be done, I can usually motivate myself to focus pretty easily.

I’ve also felt that I’ve neglected some friends and haven’t made enough memories. There’s been many time this semester where I’ve let my friends go out without me while I stayed in to write a paper or go to bed early. It’s not that I haven’t had any fun at all. I’ve gone to every home football game except one – I even stuck it out in the rain for four hours at the Homecoming game. I went on an awesome retreat, and I’ve traveled to a state I’d never been to before. I worked so hard ahead of time before going to New Orleans that it was great to get to slack off and have fun for a few days.

Just last week for Halloween, I put every worry, problem and homework assignment out of my mind and had one of the most fun nights of this semester, maybe of my whole time here. Those fun times only happened because I decided not to work on some assignment at that moment and left my room.

Don’t forget to have fun while you’re in college. For freshmen, your time here may seem endless, but I guarantee it will fly. Make the best of it. Seniors may look forward to graduating, but I’m glad I’m not a senior.

Statistically, freshmen are in danger of not succeeding because of the newfound freedom they have and all the partying they can do now. Juniors and seniors are subject to burnout. Realize that classes and work are important – the reason you’re here is to get a good education – but don’t forget about your friends.

If you’re wondering how to take time away from homework but still have fun, no easy solution is available. You could try to work on time management. Use the 15-minute intervals of your day to get little things out of the way. Actually do work when there’s nothing going on. Don’t turn on the TV just for five minutes because the next thing you’ll know, you’ll be stuck in some marathon all day. Make to do lists, so you’re organized and know your priorities. I just know there’s value in getting work done but also in forming memories of a lifetime, so we need to figure out what to do so we can have an academic life and a social life.

Don’t worry about missing one trip to Steak ‘n Shake to study for a test, but do worry about missing out on the fun too often.

n Michelle Jones is a junior journalism and English major and a biweekly columnist for The Daily Eastern News. Her e-mail address is [email protected]. Columns are the opinion of the author.