The Power of Saying No: How to Take Control of Your Time
- Oluwafikayo Judith Adegoke
- May 25
- 2 min read
Imagine this: You just sat down to plan your week, determined to stick to your study goals. Five minutes later, your friend bursts in, “Ah! You won’t believe what happened today. Should I gist you?”You hesitate. You know you have reading to do… but you say yes. Again.
Sound familiar?
Saying “no” can feel like a crime in student life. You're expected to say yes to group hangouts, club meetings, “just 5 minutes” errands, and impromptu tutorials. But here’s the truth: your time is one of your most valuable resources. Learning to say no might just be the most powerful student hack you'll ever discover. So learn to control your time
Why Saying No Feels So Hard
Many of us are undercover (or loud and proud) people-pleasers. We don’t want to disappoint anyone or seem unserious. We fear missing out, hurting someone’s feelings, or being labeled “proud.” But every time you say yes to something you don’t truly have the bandwidth for, you’re saying no to yourself.
What Happens When You Don’t Say No
Sleep deprivation
Cramming and burnout
Feeling resentful or overcommitted
Missed personal goals and priorities
When You Should Absolutely Say No
Late-night distractions before early lectures
Requests that make you anxious or overstretch you
Invites that don’t align with your priorities
Helping others at the expense of your responsibilities
How to Say "No" Without Feeling Bad
Be clear and direct – “I can’t make it today.”
Don’t over-explain – No need for long speeches.
Offer alternatives (if you want to) – “Can we talk after my reading?”
Use friendly body language – A smile can soften a firm no.
The Freedom that Comes with Saying No
More time for self-care and rest: You finally get to breathe without feeling guilty.
Increased respect for your boundaries: When people see you value your time, they do too.
Better academic performance: Less distraction, more focus. Your books will thank you.
Peace of mind and confidence: You’re in control of your time–and that’s empowering.
Your student life doesn’t have to be a whirlwind of saying yes to every request, errand, or gist session. Take charge of your time. Learn the power of boundaries. And remember, saying no isn’t rude. It’s responsible.
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