How Can You Achieve a Work/Life Balance as a Student?
Finding that ideal balance between school and life can sometimes be challenging for students. But, it's an essential component if you're hoping to get through the stress and overwhelming years of schooling with your head still firmly planted on your shoulders. Leaning too much in either direction can send you off-kilter in your college years, but when balance is achieved, you can reap the benefits that a healthy work and social life can bring.
For so many students, their entry into college or university is their first experience living outside of the rules and boundaries of their parent's home. While this is an extremely liberating and empowering step for many, it can also be almost too overwhelming for some. A sudden availability of freedom that was never previously there can be terribly distracting and detrimental to the work and study habits of a student.
It's no secret that college students can have a wildly active social life, to say the least. And, of course, that is an incredibly impactful experience that many students can learn and grow from. But, like nearly everything in life, moderation is the key. Students should definitely allow themselves to experience the fun and excitement of their newfound independence, but they also should set boundaries for themselves. The purpose of being in college or university is, of course, to learn and study, so that's always got to be the priority. When afterschool activities begin to hinder your studies, there is a definite imbalance happening.
Time always needs to be set aside for non-school related things. Whether it's just reading something that has nothing at all to do with your studies, or it's spending time with friends, it's essential that students unwind and let their minds relax from the stress of constant studying. Planning this ahead of time is a great idea, because it helps give students something to look forward to, while they're busy at work, and it helps ensure that they actually allow themselves the opportunity to relax and unwind.
At the same time, there needs to be scheduled time allotted to studying and working on school-related things. It's easy to be distracted by other things happening in life in general, so having designated study and work time makes it easier to avoid procrastination or distraction. Peer pressure can be a terrible distraction and deterrent for even the most productive student. As difficult as it may be in the moment, resistance is key to overcoming the pressures of others. Although they may give in to the temptation of putting their social life ahead of all else, the balance must be kept in check.
During those few years in college, education always needs to be held as the top priority. Setting aside time on a daily basis, even if it's a short amount of time, to do something school related, helps a student stay focused on learning and keeps education at the forefront of the entire purpose of being at college.
College and university is an exciting, stressful and sometimes overwhelming time in the life of a young person. Finding balance in all of this chaos is key to getting through the years as more well-rounded, learned, mature person – a new and improved version of oneself. It can be difficult to strike the perfect balance between work and life, and for some it may not happen right away. But, in order to have the best chance at success in both of these areas of life, that balance needs to be discovered and nurtured.
It's all a learning experience for each individual, when it comes to determining where their own balance lies. And, for some, it may take some time before they're able to find and successfully execute that balance. But, it's something that students should always strive towards, in order to find the success they're looking for in their education, as well as the social life they're in need of.
