How to Balance Emotional Investments at University

By Shola Morgan

“Diversify, diversify, diversify!” It became a kind of quirky mantra in our Financial Management class but the older I got, the more I realized it wasn’t just about money. I'm currently driving into the world of Applied Anthropology at Oxford University. I understand now, Whether in work, relationships, or even friendships, seeing from my my well-being's point of view, my emotions point of view, my spiritualities point of view and every other point of view connected to me. It would give me a pretty rounded insight into me!

One thing it would do for sure. It would ensure I did just satisfy one part of me.

For example, my emotions. The continuous need to me happy. Sweets, play, eternally long lavish vacations iversification and all the food I can eat!

We want to otherother areas of our lives and one of them is our well-being. Another words we make long-term and short-term decisions that would benefit not our happiness but our well-being and one way of doing that is ensuring that you don't make decisions or you don't make investments that crash kind of like the stock market crashes but it doesn't affect you because you've been invested in a way that insures you.

You don’t want all your eggs in one basket. Ancient Civilizations and the way they made emotional investments were determined by their WHY.

HAPHE shows us how important this advice is, but for our emotional well-being—especially at university where formal and informal expectations are at their highest.

So what does all this mean?

Think of your emotional energy like an investment. If you put all your energy, time, and expectations into one thing—a person, a group, or even a goal—what happens if it doesn’t turn out the way you planned?

The simple answer: you crash. So, let me walk you through how you can diversify your emotional investments at university, because trust me, you’ll want to avoid that crash.

Tip 1: Diversify, Diversify, Diversify

When you first get to university, it’s easy to pour all your energy into one thing or one group. Maybe you’ve joined a sports team and suddenly all your free time is dedicated to practices, matches, and hanging out with the same crew. Or perhaps you’ve found your “tribe” within the first few weeks—those people you feel instantly connected to—and you start spending every waking minute with them.

But here’s the thing: just like in finance, putting all your emotional energy into one investment is risky. If that group drifts apart or that activity doesn’t go the way you hoped, you’re left feeling lost and empty. I’ve seen students crumble when their one close friend leaves or when the group they counted on for support falls apart.

Instead, spread your emotional energy across different connections. Sure, keep hanging out with that group or playing that sport, but also make time for other activities or friendships. Join a study group, volunteer, take up a hobby. Not only does this diversify where your emotional energy goes, but it gives you more stability when something inevitably changes.

Tip 2: Friend Groups Aren’t Always Deep Friendships

Here’s something I’ve learned from the young people I’ve worked with, and something I’ve noticed at universities, too: a friend group is not the same as a set of close friends. Let me explain.

You might be in a group of people who are always together—going to parties, studying, even living together—but that doesn’t mean each person is a true friend.

In these group settings, you’ll often find that some people are closer to one another than others, and the dynamic can shift quickly. So, if you’re pouring all your emotional energy into this group, hoping they’ll all be your ride-or-die friends, you might be disappointed when you find out that not everyone sees the connection the same way.

Instead, think about which friendships within the group are really solid. Diversify your emotional investment by cultivating those closer bonds while still enjoying the group for what it is. You don’t need to rely on everyone in the group for emotional support. And that’s okay.

Tip 3: Don’t Put All Your Energy Into One Goal

University is also about dreams and goals. Maybe you’ve come in with the mindset that you’re going to ace every class, get into that prestigious internship, or be the president of a club. And while ambition is great, there’s danger in placing all your emotional capital into just one achievement.

I’ve seen students who focused everything on getting top marks. They’d sacrifice social time, skip events, and pull endless all-nighters, only to face an unexpected low grade on an exam or miss out on a competitive internship. And suddenly, everything they worked for felt like it was slipping away.

The truth is, university is unpredictable. You’re not going to succeed in every single thing, and if you tie all your self-worth to one achievement, the disappointment will hit you harder than it should. So, while you work hard for that goal, also invest emotionally in other areas of your life. That way, when one thing doesn’t pan out, you’ll still have other sources of fulfillment to lean on.

Tip 4: Get Involved in Different Communities

You know what’s great about university? You’re surrounded by people from all walks of life with all sorts of interests. This is the perfect time to explore new activities, join different clubs, and meet people who have nothing to do with your main focus.

I’ve met students who only hang out with people from their course or their dorm, and while that’s great for creating a sense of community, it’s also limiting. What happens if there’s drama within your dorm, or you struggle with a particular subject? Your social and academic worlds collide, and you’re left with nowhere to escape.

So, diversify! Join clubs that have nothing to do with your course. Go to events you wouldn’t normally attend. It could be anything—a debate club, a hiking group, a photography society. These different connections will give you variety, keep your mind fresh, and protect you emotionally when one part of your life feels heavy.

Tip 5: Regularly Check in on Your Emotional Investments

Just like how wealth managers review their clients’ portfolios regularly, you need to take time to assess where your emotional energy is going. Are you spending too much time on a friendship that isn’t giving much back? Are you relying too heavily on one person to meet all your emotional needs? Have you tied your self-worth to a single goal?

Take a step back and ask yourself: Am I diversified? If you find yourself emotionally drained from pouring everything into one person, one group, or one activity, it’s time to reallocate some of that energy elsewhere. Don’t wait until you’re burned out to spread your emotional investments—do it now.

Final Thoughts: Diversify Early, Protect Yourself Later

University is a whirlwind of friendships, academics, and experiences, and it’s easy to get swept up in the intensity of it all. But if I’ve learned anything from my years working with young people, it’s this: diversification is key.

Whether with your friendships, goals, or time, spreading your emotional energy across different areas will protect your well-being in the long run.

Don’t wait until things fall apart to realize you’ve put all your emotional capital in one place. Start now, diversify your connections, and you’ll find that when one thing changes, you’ll still have the stability and support to carry on.