Study, work, repeat. Do you find yourself in an endless cycle, handling both tasks and feeling burnt out? As students, we are ambitious to perfectly fulfill our duties and responsibilities, accomplishing all of the goals we have set in mind. Ultimately, it is natural to feel stressed and worried when attempting to balance a full schedule with classes, work, and social life.
Recent academic reports have demonstrated that students increasingly take the lead on multiple responsibilities for managing competing roles, namely studying and working while at university. Furthermore, students consistently report challenges associated with work and study, with many identifying this as a primary rationale for withdrawing from their degree programs.
Oftentimes, students are heavily exposed to constant stress, anxiety, and social integration deficits. This can manifest in various forms, including changes in energy, lack of sleep, appetite, loss of interest or pleasure in activities, difficulty concentrating, and feeling sad, to name just a few. Therefore, it is of crucial importance to understand the potential strategies to maintain a healthy work-study balance.
The potential techniques for balancing study and work are profoundly personal, meaning students are encouraged to figure out what works best for them. Nonetheless, multiple convincing mechanisms can be of possible assistance to students.
AUA counselor Ruth Kupeian emphasizes the importance of healthy food and recharging activities, “You need to eat nutritious food because your body needs that for energy. You also need to have time during the day, if possible (I know sometimes it is very hard), to do something completely different, unrelated to work, unrelated to studies,” the AUA counselor said.She also points out that these activities are crucial for the body and mind to recharge and regain energy.
When reflecting on the importance of connecting with nature, Karine Ghahramanyan, a PG senior student, shares, “Spending time in nature can be immensely beneficial; for me, it is not just about being outdoors but truly immersing myself in it, laying in the grass, enjoying the scent of nature, and taking naps in the parks.”
By connecting with nature, students can free their minds from tension and commit themselves to supporting their cognitive function along with regulating their emotional state.
EC senior student Hasmik Davtyan highlights the significance of hobbies,, “I allocate time to my interests, such as reading and spending time with my family. These are small things, but they help.” Therefore, the activities students find enjoyable outside their studies or work can serve as robust recharge mechanisms.
Another powerful strategy is self-compassion, which is fundamental in achieving a healthy work-study balance. Karine elaborates that self-compassion helps refrain from reinforcing negative thought patterns that tend to emerge from harsh self-criticism.
Hasmik likewise underlines that avoiding too much pressure on oneself is important, as sometimes things don’t have to be perfect. Embracing self-kindness is, thus, instrumental in acknowledging your strengths and weaknesses, leading to a healthier way of managing responsibilities.
Seeking professional help while balancing work and study is encouraged. Counselor Kupeian encourages students to talk to a counselor since engaging in conversation with a field professional can often facilitate the process of thinking aloud, helping to organize thoughts and clarify areas that may need attention or change.
Remember that there is no one-size-fits-all solution to finding the ideal balance. So, next time you are being hard on yourself about your workload or study routine, remember that finding balance takes time, and it is completely fine to adjust your approach as needed to prioritize your well-being.
