4 Tips to Find Balance Between Work and Study!

If you’re worried about finding balance between study & working, you’re not alone. There are a lot of students who need to work to support themselves while they complete their studies. Juggling study with a job is not easy, so how do you go about find the balance between work, academic commitments & social life? Whether you’re a student working to pay for tuition & bills, or taking a course to advance your skills, balance work and study can seem overwhelming – but it can be achieved with planning and self-discipline. So here are a few good ways to balance study & work:

  

Make a schedule - A schedule is a great way to figure out priorities and the kind of time you need to get everything done. The more detailed you make your calendar; the more likely you are to stick to it. Make sure to fill in everything, like your class times, work times, study time, due dates, and other obligations. This way, you’ll know exactly when you have a free time slot, so you can schedule in leisure / social time accordingly. You can make it easier if you also colour code your schedule with a different colour for each task.

  

Use Your Time Wisely – For balancing work & study, you’ll need to make sure that the time you spend studying is done justice to. Be productive - studies in short periods w/ breaks to stay focused & avoid procrastination. Turn off social media, maybe make some snacks. Getting rid of distractions will make your studies done faster. By doing this, you'll have more time to relax or maybe pick up an extra shift at work if needed. Remember, you're a student. Make the most of your university experience but set aside time to kick back, have fun with friends.

 

Prioritize your Health – Being healthy – both physically & mentally is key! Keep in mind that you’re still growing & you need to take special care of your health. Try to get at least of 7-8 hours of sleep. This will strengthen your immune system, benefit your memory, and help you cope with stress. Also, be sure to eat nutritious food through the day, keep your energy up. And don’t make excuses. Roasting some veggies will take up the same amount of time as ordering Domino’s, not to mention it's also better for your budget! There are tonnes of delicious, budget-friendly recipes you can whip up in no time.

 

Reward Yourself - When you’ve successfully completed a task, give yourself a reward. Take yourself out for a nice dinner / lunch, go away on a fun day trip for a weekend, take a long, hot bath (my favourite), or do retail therapy. Choose rewards that you will look forward to. Rewarding yourself will encourage you to continue to work hard & strengthen your good habits.