I get asked this question a lot, "how do you manage to balance academia and personal responsibilities"? Well, I’m here to tell you all about it!
One of the first things worth mentioning about the balance is that; it’s not easy. Finding your own strategy to balance your education and personal life is a skill that requires time. Here are some top tips during I have implemented during my journey that can make yours easier too;
- Managing your time wisely - Meeting deadlines and submissions is not an easy task when you have lots going on at university, particularly outside of academia. Finding the right time for your activities is essential. Ensuring you give yourself sufficient time for hobbies, sport, assignments, and friends are all vital aspects of university life. I often find it useful setting reminders and keeping a calendar for events, submission deadlines, and special occasions that require priority. Doing so helps me manage events outside of academia and sticking to strict rules for assignment progress.
- Managing your mental health - Dedicating a small portion of time to give yourself a ‘check-up’ is important. This can be different from person to person, nevertheless, is critical for a healthy mind. What’s important is to recognise that different individuals use this time in a different way, which makes us all unique. At the end of my days, I love chatting to people that mean lots to me, whether this is family or friends, it always gives me an extra option besides my busy days, making a difference to my wellbeing.
- Ask for help! - Although independency is important, reaching out when needed is equally important. You’re not expected to know everything, in fact, this is part of learning. Whether that’s reaching out to family, seeking advice from professionals, or even having a quick conversation with a friend, these strategies will not only relieve concerns, but will also improve your university experience.
- Keep one joyful habit - Ask yourself this question, ‘What’s one thing I enjoy doing most?’. Sometimes repeating similar days and responsibilities can be draining, and this is normal. What’s important is maintaining that one joyful habit to relieve stress and improve your mood. From my personal perspective, my joyful habit is playing football with friends – this gives me an escape, doing something I enjoy!
So, I now ask you this question, what can you do to balance your academia and personal life?
