Leading a Balanced Life as a Student
As students, we juggle a lot. The bottom line is, you have to work hard to be successful. Classes, school work, extracurricular activities, working, and maintaining a social life is not an easy task. Here are some ways that help me manage my life as a student!
Plan, Plan, Plan!
Paper planners are still a staple for me. I love starting new semesters with a new planner (I have a slight obsession with new school supplies). If you don’t already use a planner, get on it! This is definitely the first step to getting your busy life in order.
Make Time for Things/People You Love
I always find that the busier I am, the more productive I am. With that being said, maintaining a balance in your life is very important. Find one or two things that you really enjoy, and stick to them! Whether it’s going to the gym, taking the time to sit down and read a book, or going for coffee with a friend, these moments to yourself are really important. I find that taking short breaks throughout the week really improves my focus and productivity.Sometimes I find it hard to justify going for coffee, when I know I could be working on a paper, or studying for an exam. I find the best way to avoid that guilty feeling, is to dedicate certain time to take breaks; I even mark them on my calendar when I'm super busy!
Plan for the Month, THEN the Week!
I had not used the monthly view in my planner until recently, and let me tell ya, what a difference it makes! Using the monthly calendar has become essential to my life planning. At the beginning of each semester, I like to go through my syllabus and write in every assignment due date and exam in the monthly calendar. Afterwards, as meetings, appointments, and other important events come up, I put them in there as well. Then, I copy those dates into the weekly layout. I find it helpful to quickly glance at all of the major events happening throughout the month, and then have access to a more detailed weekly/daily view so I don’t miss anything.I always check my planner on Sunday and make sure I plan ahead for the week. I find that if I schedule things in and don’t get them done, I feel guilty, so planning ahead keeps me accountable!
RELAX!
I sometimes have a hard time relaxing; having a night in instead of going out with friends is okay! Sometimes the best thing you can do for yourself is just let go and forget about your day. My favourite way to do this is to take a bath, watch Netflix, and lounge around. Going to bed early is somewhat of a novelty for me, and nothing beats the feeling of waking up refreshed and ready to take on the new day.I hope you find these tips helpful! What are your tips on leading a balanced life? Let me know in the comments below!