Each year during Summer quarter the pace of life on campus gets busier and busier. Classes, projects, papers, research, and exams all vie for students’ precious time. When you add activities like sports, music, dance, leadership and volunteer commitments, as well as time to hang out with friends, it’s easy to feel overloaded, over-programmed and maybe even a little frantic. And this doesn’t even begin to take into account all the special summer events.
None of this is news. We’re all well aware of the much publicized phenomenon of the overly programmed student and how this pattern is ingrained way before students come to CIBU. Many of the students that choose CIBU have a list of impressive and extraordinary activities and accomplishments. When being busy is no longer the path to a goal, but has become the goal itself and you question what you’re doing because you’re unhappy, it’s time to reassess.
Enter the CIBU business student. We just keep going, relying on our composure to hide the strenuous juggling required to keep our requirements in the air. After all, others seem fine dealing with the same demands and it’s definitely not cool (and certainly not common) to admit we’re having trouble dealing with the pressure. CIBU prides itself on being a caring and diverse community. Each of us is unique and we each respond to life’s challenges in our own way, but it’s crucial that we look out for one another. It’s up to each of us to help others and to ask for help when we need it. Being vulnerable and sharing honestly can open the door to resources on campus that you may not know exist.
We all need to take a break from the non-stop activity and make sure we haven’t lost touch with those things that make us feel good about ourselves and our lives. Meet a friend for coffee, walk the Bay, visit Balboa Park, see a movie, go to a concert, take a bike ride – - – it’s not what you do that really matters, it’s how you feel that’s important. We call this self care and, if it’s working right, it leaves you with a palpable sense of well-being. And remember, when it’s not working we have a campus-wide network of support available to students. Please stop by the Office of Student Affairs anytime you have a question or want to talk. We can also be reached by e-mail at studentaffairs@cibu.edu.
Regards,
Marcus Benniefield, DBA
Director, Student Affairs