Navigating Work and Life at University


Juggling coursework and trying to maintain a healthy lifestyle can leave all of us feeling overwhelmed.

However, your university experience will feel all the more fulfilling once you establish a healthy work/life balance.  In this blog post, we’ll look into some of the most effective strategies students use to find that stability.

University student stretching and smiling while studying at home

Prioritise and plan

To begin creating the ultimate work/life routine, you will need to have a plan set in place.

Knowing where to turn at each hurdle will reduce your stress levels and help you distinguish between important and urgent tasks.

Make sure that your plan includes sufficient time for planning, revision and writing but also allocates specific time for personal activities and biscuit breaks.

Set realistic goals

You will need to set goals without burning yourself out too quickly.

Although having realistic goals is the first step, you will also need to embrace the flexibility at university and balance your tasks in the way that suits you.

Once you can set achievable goals and maintain your positive mindset, you can then begin celebrating achievements along the way.

Learn to say no

To maintain a healthy work/life balance, staying consistent is key. Whilst you’re sticking to a plan, it may be difficult to learn to say no to new opportunities and extra-curricular activities.

But this is the time to save your energy! Although it’s important to be involved with some activities, you will need to recognise when you’re starting to spread yourself too thin to avoid burnout.

Establish healthy study habits

Choosing a relaxing study environment is key to maintaining a healthy work/life balance.

Once you are in the right frame of mind, you can easily tackle your planned study chunks. To increase productivity, remember to take short breaks in between to reduce the need for last-minute cramming.

Embrace self-care

Even when you are in the midst of a demanding week at university, self-care is a must.

Taking care of your physical and mental well-being improves your focus and rejuvenates your mind.

Prioritising eating well-balanced meals, getting 8-hours sleep each night, and spending time with your friends can massively contribute to your overall productivity levels.

Whether it’s a relaxing bath, a quick jog or snuggling up with your favourite programme, it is a non-negotiable task when focusing on your work/life balance.

Chalk board with Self Care o'clock written on it

Utilise support systems

Another way to help promote a healthy balance is to use your support systems. In times of stress and anxiety, it is often difficult to see when you may need help.

You can rely on friends and family for emotional support or ask your academic support advisor for resources. Once you start to build strong support systems around you, you are more likely to tackle the challenges of university with confidence.

Adopting an encouraging environment, a proactive plan and a soothing self-care routine are all huge factors when trying to create a work/life balance.

 

By setting clear boundaries for yourself and learning when to say no, you’re allowing yourself the flexibility and opportunity to achieve your personal goals whilst enjoying your university experience.

A sure fire way to ensure that you have the perfect work-life balance while at Uni is to choose the best living environment. Take a look at our student flats and houses in Liverpool to find your new home.