Social

It’s important to have fun and to socialise because that’s part of the university experience, and where you begin to build your emotional support network.

However, this is probably the most difficult aspect to balance for many students and it is often overdone. No one wants to suffer FOMO (fear of missing out) and peer pressure can be difficult to manage because of the want to be included in a group and participate in activities together. However, you need to prioritise what’s important for you.

In order to deal with these situations, keep in mind what’s of value to you, take a moment and ask yourself: ‘Is this the right thing for me to do?’ Think about the consequences if you go against what’s right for you and consider what you have coming up over the next few days, weeks or months.

Delay your response to invites and say that you’ll think about them if you’re unsure about how you feel. It may be that you don’t take part in the activity today, but you can next time. Below are a few things to consider when finding that balance:

• It’s OK to say no and to do what’s best for you at that moment in time.
• In return, respect someone’s decision when they say no.
• This one requires absolute will power from you. If you really want to go out socialising, try compromising with yourself and tell your friends that you will join them later or just for a few hours. If you don’t succeed in this, then you know what to do next time.
• Know your limits! Don’t stay up partying all night if you know you can’t handle it or drink the same amount as your friends if you have a lower tolerance for alcohol. The only person who suffers is you.
• Be prepared to miss out on some things.
• Be compassionate. Everyone has their own ideas of what socialising is, be receptive to people’s ideas and try something new if it suits you.