While in college, is it possible to balance a social life, extra-curricular activities (such as student government), a part-time job AND maintain a 4.0 GPA? Or is a 4.0 even a realistic goal?

Yes - it is totally possible. You just need to stay organized. but, also, your life will not fall apart if you don't maintain a 4.0. After my first semester in engineering, I had below a 3.0. I thought it was the end of the world. I ended up with a 3.675 average, went to law school and got great jobs. And, I rowed on the crew team, worked on the school paper, worked many different jobs, and was a teaching assistant for a class. Plus, I spent a semester on Capitol Hill in Washington DC working for a Congressman and getting credit while I wrote papers. You should enjoy college and branch out! :)

College is all about choices. It is up to you to balance each of the areas you mention. Of course, completing your coursework and studying are most important. Depending on your field, experience will also make a big difference. For me, who was a Public Relations major, getting internships was really important. So while my grades were good (I graduated with a 3.92), I also had internships and a consistent job. Student government could also be a good opportunity to build necessary skills needed for your chosen career.

You will need to focus on stress and time management. In order to manage stress you have to manage your time wisely. <span style="background-color: transparent;">You have to set a routine for yourself and stick to it for the most part. Once you get into the groove of a routine it will be much easier for you to manage your time and have enough time for everything you need to do (including relaxing). Make yourself to-do lists on a weekly basis, use Google calendar or a planner to keep track of events, deadlines, and due dates. In addition to setting a routine and sticking to it, plan out relaxing activities into your day. Or set aside a time, after everything is done for the day, that you can have "me" time. I have also personally found it essential to not only find time for myself but also make use of that time in a way that is best for me and my holistic wellness. I have found the HeadSpace app to be an essential tool in helping me relax and generally feel more relaxed throughout the day, Guided meditation, even if you have a busy schedule, will make you feel more at ease and relaxed throughout the day as a whole (not just when you have the time to relax and focus on that "me" time).</span>

<span style="background-color: transparent;">Set a routine.Use Google Calendar.Set aside Me TimeWrite weekly to-do lists and use a planner.Find a peaceful and restful activity that will help you feel relaxed.</span>

Hi Olivia,

This is a great question. It is possible to maintain a 4.0 grade point average in college. The key is managing your classes and time. I believe you need have balance or would can crash. Is the goal realistic no because college courses and high school. Professor grade harder and demand more.

Good luck on managing your time and grade point average to a 4.0.

Yes, it is possible, but would be a lot harder than it have been in high school, especially your first year. Your support network (family, mentors, buddies, pets, etc) will be far from you, and those immediately surrounding you (roommates, floormates) may not necessarily be supportive at all. Think how you got your current achievement. Did you go to practice because someone nagged you to, or did you go because you were driven to be better? If it's the former, you likely won't be able to keep it, but if it's the latter you likely can.

Good luck and be yourself :)