Balancing Act

As university students, you could say that our time is 'precious' (read that in Gollum's voice). We have a lot of commitments such as studying for those pesky mid-terms or exams in general, assignments, work and having a social life. Even with all that going on, some lucky students even manage to sleep!

This is me towards the end of the semester

So how do we balance work/life/study? According to Career Lifestyle Journal, the key to juggling study, work and a social life is to be organized, disciplined and knowing your limits which begins with effective planning.

• Develop a study plan- Draw up a weekly study timetable. This can help you focus your time and be more organized. This has helped me immensely during final exam periods where the study load can get a bit overwhelming. Just make sure to stick to your plan.

• Manage your time and prioritize- Staying organized is one of the best ways to save time. One of the best ways to stay organized is having a diary or calendar where you can make notes and know exactly when certain assignments or assessments are due. Prioritizing tasks can also help with knowing which tasks are the most important. The one on top of the list should be the one you should focus most of your time into. 

• Choose a job that is flexible and fits in with your study pattern- If you are a working full-time student, make sure it fits in with your study pattern and you may want to consider part-time work as full-time study and full-time work is very challenging. Working more than 20-25 hours a week is not advisable as it can affect your studies. Although having a job while at uni can be occasionally challenging, it can boost your employability when you graduate. Working in your field or beneficial to your future career can also help with opening doors for you in your industry.

• Socialising/Getting support- Ensure you have enough time to relax, exercise and most importantly- sleep! Make sure you have enough time to spend time with your friends and family. I'm sure you do not want to spend all day studying or working! If you feel like you are struggling with balancing study/work/life, you can talk to your friends or family or someone in your university's Student Services. 

Read the full article at: http://www.careerslifestylejournal.com/work-life-balance-juggle-study-work-social-life/

There you have it! Tips on how to manage study/work/life. Good luck!

~Katrina