Work, study, life… how do you maintain a work-life balance?
Most people underestimate just how much students have on their plate; lessons, group work, assignments tackling many different topics, social life, becoming independent and adapting to living alone, part time job, hobbies… the list just keeps going. The 9 to 5 school day, followed by an 8 hour shift in a restaurant, finishing at 2 am, and getting up in the morning for school again, while having to do homework in between!
How to achieve a work-life balance ?
1] Manage your time and adapt a routine
Get an agenda! Be it an app on your phone or a book, planning activities several weeks in advance and getting an overview of classes and times for studying will immediately eliminate one aspect of stress. Be smart! Arrange to work only on days when you don’t have next day deadlines or early school starts, to ensure your energy levels stay in balance. Love to exercise? Or have a hobby you can’t live without? Devote set times per week when you will do it; this will give you regular days you can look forward to.
2] Manage your stress levels and give yourself time to be social
Once you have made the agenda of your daily obligations, make sure your next step is to set aside some relaxation time – social appointments with family and friends are just as important as class. This is essential to avoid stress.
3] Create goals
Have difficulty motivating yourself to get things done? Set some short-term goals! It’s Monday and you have a party on Saturday, however the following week you have to hand-in an assignment! Why not do a little bit every evening on the assignment, so you can have a stress free weekend and still manage to perform well in school.
4] Keep in mind the bigger picture
Getting overwhelmed? Is the agenda getting too full? Think about your motivation and the big goal you are working towards! It is challenging to juggle life and work, however it will help you to be a professional in the next chapter of your life. Keeping a healthy work-life balance is a skill and earlier learned the better! Embrace it while you are young!
SOURCE: http://www.kirana.edu.au/work-study-life-maintain-balance/