Over the years I have acquired several mottos that I’ve lived by depending on what’s currently going on in my life. The two I have at the moment are: “I’ll sleep when I’m dead” and “Naps are for the weak.”
As each year of college life passes, students often find themselves struggling to keep a firm grasp on the concept of free time. Once senior year starts and the ball gets rolling, “free time” goes from something totally attainable to a vague idea of something that once was.

Nearly every social media outlet is constantly updated with posts from crazed fans of shows like Breaking Bad and Game of Thrones going nuts over the outcome of the latest episode. I am going nuts staring at these posts wondering how people have time to watch and become so invested in several hour-long shows multiple times a week.

Although I must admit that I am mostly jealous that these people can afford to spend their time obsessing over the ultimate antagonist that is Walter White, a large part of me questions whether I even want to be one of those people in reality.

Is free time overrated? Or is it simply a concept so obsolete that it isn’t even considered an option for some people?

As someone who is fairly busy and becomes overjoyed at the prospect of a few hours to myself, I still hold strong to the idea that free time is necessary for a person’s well-being. However, there is a real difference between free time and what should really be called down time.

We all have mandatory obligations like classes and work. Aside from that, we have “free” time to dedicate to whatever we want – a club, organization, project, homework, etc. – that requires its own amount of work and effort. It’s up to you whether or not you use your free time to take advantage of such meaningful opportunities.

After all that, it may feel like you don’t have any free time, but what you’re really missing is down time — time to lie down and close your eyes, listen to music, paint your nails, read a book, or just do nothing without another obligation to tend to in a few short hours.

It’s these kinds of activities that I believe contribute to your well-being in the sense that your mind is, ideally, relaxed while you’re doing them. You may be busy 95 percent of the time, but that other five percent is precious and valuable.

There is nothing wrong with being a go-getter and purposefully filling your schedule with obligations. I complain about “never having any time,” but in reality, I have made the choice to devote what would be my free time to writing and covering stories for The Crite, being assistant editor of Horizon Magazine and studying when need be.

However, I understand that allowing myself even one hour a day to just chill out will only benefit me and make all of my tasks seem more attainable than not.

Free time is not necessarily overrated. Any time not dedicated to getting stuff done is time not to be wasted – unless you’re wasting it on purpose, of course.

arildefonso@mavs.coloradomesa.edu