How to Strike a Balance Between Study, Work, and Everyday Life?

March 21, 2022

It's challenging to be a student and work simultaneously, much alone to stay healthy and maintain a social life apart from your personal life or student life. It will need positive habits and time management skills to pull it off as an international student, but we know you can do it.

Saying you're busy while you work and go to university is an understatement. On the other hand, self-care is critical to performing at your best, yet many people overlook it when things get crazy. How can you take online classes and still have time for yourself while working full-time? 
 

It would be best to become more organized and assertive in articulating your requirements by separating time for yourself. You must also take care of your physical body to withstand the strain. If you're working and balancing study simultaneously, here are 12 recommendations to help you strike a healthy balance:

1. Acquire a Planner.

It doesn't matter if you like the latest software or an old-fashioned paper planner; the ability to spot potential schedule problems early to make accommodations is critical. You don't want your boss to schedule you for a shift the day before your test. You must know time management to separate your personal, student, and professional life, mainly when an independent international student. 

Scheduling jobs, classes, and studies into the appropriate time slots are critical to staying on top of things and enabling your brain to recuperate – furthermore, learning to prioritize is a valuable skill in any field.

2. Speak With Your Boss.

You owe it to yourself to speak with your boss about your scheduling requirements. Set up a one-on-one meeting with your manager for the most outstanding results. Begin by reviewing your expectations – what am I currently doing that needs to change? What is it about my strategy that works? 

Then, look over the critical dates you'll need to be covered for and work together to develop a solution that meets your demands while leaving your employer without assistance.

3. Refresh Your Knowledge of Healthy Food Preparation.

Due to processing, many commercially accessible foods are devoid of essential nutrients. You can become unwell and lethargic if you don't get enough vitamins and minerals. Your mood will deteriorate, and you may find it difficult to concentrate – which is inconvenient while working and going to school.

Instead, figure out how to make whole-food freezer dinners on your least-busy day, so you always have nutritious food on hand. If you want to munch while studying, opt for magnesium-rich almonds and phytonutrient-rich fruits and veggie strips instead of chips and pretzels.

4. Make a List of Your Tasks and Prioritize Them.

Be realistic – you aren't a superhuman who can accomplish everything on your to-do list. Make a priority list and schedule your activities around your deadlines and exam dates. Prioritize assignments with short deadlines, but give yourself enough time to accomplish your responsibilities on time to prevent stress and last-minute work. Be active, but keep in mind that the day is only 24 hours long and that one needs sleep!

5. Learn the Ability to Say No.

Learn to say "no" to things, events, and people that don't feel significant, meaningful, or vital to you. Your time and energy are valuable assets, especially if you already have a full schedule.

6. Request Guidance When You Want It.

Many people are willing to help you with every difficulty you may face during your college career, from an academic adviser, student council, and classmates to professional therapists, doctors, and mentors. When you're having trouble, ask for aid and advice.

7. Have a Great Time Along The Way.

Studying and working simultaneously can be difficult, inconvenient, and exhausting. However, achieving success in both while maintaining a happy, healthy work-study-life balance is not difficult. Celebrate all of your accomplishments, keep something to perk you up on bad days, schedule time for yourself, and remember having fun in between the hard work.

8. Stay Away From Multitasking.

Although some people prefer to multitask, the trouble with multitasking is that it uses up more of your energy than usual, and it's been demonstrated that it takes longer to do those specific jobs in many circumstances. The best method to finish a task is to do it and then move on to the next. Taking breaks is okay because you don't want to exhaust all of your resources; nonetheless, try not to complete everything at once.

9. Stay Away From Distractions.

Nowadays, most of us get distracted from time to time by using Facebook, Instagram, or constantly checking our phones. These items can divert your attention away from your work and cause you to take much longer than expected to complete tasks. When you are not finished with specific responsibilities at the end of the day, you may become stressed. As a result, maintaining focus is critical in order to complete one task and go on to the next.

10. Exercise Daily.

You should exercise for 150 to 300 minutes per week at a moderate effort or 75 to 150 minutes per week at a vigorous intensity. This amounts to 30 to 60 minutes every day, although you don't have to include it in your gym session. Instead, use short workouts to create a cumulative effect. If you drive to class rather than walk on campus, park farther away from your designated building and walk. 

YouTube offers free exercise and online learning videos, so you can practice everything from yoga to Zumba in five minutes. There are also numerous applications available that offer shorter workouts.

11. Interact With Others.

Several studies have shown that socializing is beneficial to one's physical and mental well-being. You'll meet a lot of new people at university and office, some of whom you'll like and some of whom you won't. Nonetheless, make sure you spend enough time with your loved ones, whether they are family, friends, your spouse, or a coworker.

12. Get Enough Sleep.

If you want to do well in school, you need to get enough sleep since your mind analyzes and integrates new information while you sleep. Finding quiet and privacy can be complex if you live on campus, and the situation is exacerbated if you work strange hours. 

If you share a room and have the funds, consider purchasing a bed tent, which will provide you with solitude even if your roommate is only 2 meters away. It's also a good idea to get some noise-canceling headphones or earphones to block out the noise from your neighbors.

Hopefully, you can use these tips to make your life easier if you work and study simultaneously. You will learn so much from this experience, and this experience will forever change the way you view the world of work.