Tips on balancing uni, work and just life in general

[Guest_322]

Hi,

I haven't been in the best state of mind recently- mostly feeling down but sometimes it's up and down in short periods of time.

I'm at uni full-time and work part-time. I want and need to do well academically (my course requires maintaining certain grades). But I have found that trying to achieving those grades can take its toll on my mental health.

So I guess what I'm trying to ask is does anyone have tips for doing well academically AND taking care of your mental health at the same time? Like how to balance the 2? Thank you!

[Zeal]

Hi Dottie,

I am also studying full-time at uni. I volunteer here on the forum, but don't have a paid job. I struggle to maintain good mental health at times -it's especially hard when my sleep patterns are irregular and the workload is intensifying. Keeping organised is one thing that helps me - having all my due dates written in my diary is helpful, as then I know I won't forget something important.

Seeing friends and extended family quite regularly is important, as is doing some physical activity in nature, like walking. Listening to music while walking can be great for your headspace (I've found that to be the case for me). Also, try not studying on Fri and/or Sat night. Having a designated night where you don't feel obliged to study is a great way to have some mental down-time. What's really unhelpful (I am sometimes guilty of this) is sitting at your desk while not actively studying, and feeling guilty as a result. This drains mental energy and makes you feel tense, while not involving either study or relaxation.

Eating a varied diet is also important. Having snacks like nuts and fruit can help with energy levels. I will emphasise again that getting enough sleep is a big help. Last night I didn't sleep enough (I babysat overnight), and today I haven't been able to study or function as well. Seriously - good sleep can equal a good life!

Best wishes,

SM

[james1]

Hey Dottie,

I had a full time study load, was working full time and did private tutoring on the side at the beginning of the year - it is exhausting and I absolutely know what you mean by it taking its toll.

I found what helped me get through was 1) having someone I could count on to call, and 2) my reward system.

Basically I had a little reward system so that if I did the study I needed, if I slept the amount of sleep I'd set myself, and did the exercise I'd set myself, I could reward myself with "time off". The elaborate bit was that each good thing I did, I'd collect points and if I got enough points, I could go to the movies/go for a hike/etc.

I wouldn't suggest something so elaborate, but a little self-reward goes a long way! And making exercise and sleep a part of this schedule is really important.

Hope that helps

James

[Cold_Mirror]

Hi Dottie. I like SM's suggestions. I noticed that in your other thread you were taking a night off from study. I think it's a very wise thing to take time out.

If you've been getting good grades, then I think you can have some confidence in your abilities and try to be a little less demanding of yourself. You will probably never 100% goof off.

Are you eating and sleeping okay? Both are important for coping with study and work.

[Guest_322]

Hi SM,

Thank you for all the wonderful suggestions. I can empathise with the stress that you feel because of your studies.

I appreciate the reminder about the importance of adequate sleep and a balanced diet. I'm admittedly terrible at both when I have a lot on! It's definitely something that I need to improve.

You sound tired from your overnight babysitting duties- hopefully you can make up for the lack of sleep tonight.

An appreciative thank you again!

[Guest_322]

Hi James,

Thank you for always leaving such thoughtful, understanding messages- it means a lot to me.

You certainly had a very full workload- full-time work AND full-time study plus private tutoring must have been rough. Respect and power to you for getting through it. That was no easy feat!

I like your suggestions particularly the reward system idea. That might work for me. It would be good to have something nice to look forward to after doing something not so nice.

Many thanks again.

[Guest_322]

Greetings again Cold_Mirror,

Thanks for your many lovely messages to me. It's nice to feel so supported here.

I'm probably somewhat to very sleep deprived (depending on the day of the week) so that's an issue in itself. As for my eating habits, I've been trying to eat more healthily. I've a tendency to either eat junk or have no appetite when I'm feeling stressed. So I'm trying to be more organised with meal prep in an attempt to eat better.

[romantic_thi3f]

Hi,

This is such a great thread; balancing uni work and life is super hard.

These are some of the things that have helped me:

- Find your support group. For me this was friends and family (I study correspondence) but basically anyone who can cheer you on and keep you accountable.

- Rewards. This is a big one for me because when I'm feeling low I struggle to get going, so knowing that I have something to look forward to helps. This might be small (having a snack after reading x amount of pages) or bigger (buying something after I knock down an assignment). Having lots of frequent ones helped me.

- Manage your time. I use the Pomodoro technique which is basically 25 mins on 5 minutes off but you can change it however you like. This helps me with focus mostly. I have the app on my iPhone called 30/30.

- Make time for fun. Seriously all work and no play is just not a good mix. Find ways to incorporate things that make you seriously happy. For me this meant Netflix (introvert here) but maybe for you it's being social.

- Managing your health; exercise, diet, sleep. This is where routines come in handy.

- Knowing your triggers. If you feel like you're having a down day or starting to get really low, use that insight to get help and reach out early. My lecturer knows that I struggle and that makes things easier. Other times, it might be needing to have a study break.

- Vision boards. I find this helps because when I'm depressed I get really miserable and everything seems too hard and too far away - so using the vision boards help me to realise what my goals are and why I'm doing this. Your study might be hard, but you're doing it for a reason - so the boards can help get your mind into the bigger picture again.

Hope this helps 🙂

[Guest_322]

Hi romantic_thi3f,

Thank you for the many suggestions that you included in your message. It's very helpful! I particularly like the app idea and identifying my triggers. I'm glad your lecturers have been so understanding and accomodating- it can make a huge difference.

Oh and side note: I love me some Nerflix too ha, ha.

Thanks again!

[kbkman]

Hi there

I work part time and study full time at uni also.

My biggest tip is, map out all of your classes and assessments when the semester starts on a calendar or something. Every single piece of work and specific class you can. It helps visualise when you need to start doing things etc.

Also know when to say no to your work. Mine can be pushy and tell me to work certain times. You need to be able to say no, I'm too busy. Any employer of casual or part time people should understand how uni works and how taxing it can be, and why their staff need some flexibility. Don't take on a level of work that starts to affect the time you have for assessments! And if you feel like they're stretching you too far, speak up and say you need less hours.

Make sure you get enough sleep and eat regular meals. I've been physically training for years and I've been mindful for a long time of my sleep requirements, and food intake etc. Others might not be, and might try and burn the candle at both ends, it doesn't work! You turn into a zombie and you can't perform at work, or school.

Also don't go it alone. My partner has been at uni for many years and helps me organise and study. Find someone or a group of folk at uni to study with, or a friend (they don't even have to go to the same uni) and the tedium becomes easier to deal with.

Also, don't forget to contact your teachers when you are feeling swamped or need help, in my short experience thus far they can be very accomodating!