While university years are said to be the best years of your life, they can also be extremely busy and challenging. A lot of students admit that juggling multiple responsibilities such as attending classes, working, honoring family commitments, engaging in social activities, and so on requires a balancing act that they’re not quite capable of. It’s not easy to deal with all that when you’re still young and not fully equipped to face life’s challenges.
That explains why so many students are having trouble staying on top of their school assignments and maintaining a good school-life balance. The stress and pressure that stem from it can be unbearable at times. If you’ve ever struggled to keep up with your studies and find time for all the other things going on in your life, you know exactly what it feels like.
However, you should know that you’re not alone in this, considering most students are going through the same thing as you are. And the good news is, there are ways to tackle these issues and find the balance you’re looking for. Hopefully, these tips can help you stay prepared and achieve your educational goals.
Stay up to date with the syllabus
The best way to make sure you don’t fall behind with your studies, or worse, miss an assignment altogether, is to keep a close eye on your syllabus. Everything you need to know about your courses, from expectations and responsibilities to the due dates of your assignments is included in your syllabus.
When you’re a busy student with tons of projects, readings, and assignments to keep track of, it’s easy to lose sight of some of your tasks. That’s why consulting your syllabus regularly can help you avoid such unpleasant situations. It’s going to be a lot easier for you to stay organized if you know exactly what you have to do and when. It’s also a good idea to copy the due dates of your assignments in your agenda, so you can plan your schedule accordingly.
Start early on
We know that procrastination is a modern-day epidemic and students are one of the most affected categories. The amount of work you have to get done is often discouraging, and so it can be difficult to even begin work on a project, let alone finish it on time. This is why you might fall into the trap of leaving everything till the last minute.
But you have to get rid of the procrastination monster if you want to avoid the stress and pressure of dealing with huge piles of work and rushing to complete your tasks. The most important thing is to start work as early as possible. Sometimes, the first step is the most difficult one, so once you’ve started things, the next steps will seem a lot easier and you’ll be able to finish your tasks before the due date.
Learn to prioritize
As a student, you’ll always have to deal with several projects and assignments at the same time. However, since you can’t do but one thing at a time (forget the multitasking myth), it’s absolutely essential to know how to prioritize them. Obviously, not all your task will have the same importance.
Separate your assignments into two categories: the ones that are urgent and you have to address right away, and the ones that you can leave for later. Then, organize the assignments in the first category in the order of their importance, and get them done one by one. This strategy will help you manage your time and effort more effectively.
Make use of tech tools
Student work also implies dealing with lots of repetitive tasks, making you lose valuable time that could have been used for other purposes. Luckily, now you’ve got the technology to help you out and take some of the burdens off your shoulders.
There are plenty of tech solutions that you can make your life a lot easier, such as document editing tools that can help you rearrange PDF pages and keep all your digital files in perfect order, digital planners, electronic checklists, note-taking apps, or storage solutions. All you have to do is choose the tools that you think will suit your needs best and make the most of them. The point is to work smarter, not harder, and technology can definitely assist you with that.
Eliminate distractions
If you truly want to enjoy your student life while also staying on top of your assignments, you have to keep these two areas separated. It’s the only way you’ll be able to achieve a good study-life balance. There’s a time to have fun, and a time to get down to work, and you can’t mix the two together if you want to be productive.
When you have to study, don’t let anything else distract you from it. Look for a peaceful and quiet place where no one will disturb you and where you can stay focused on the task at hand. Put your phone away, turn off the music and eliminate all other distractions during your study sessions.
Take regular breaks
Studying and finishing your assignments on time is important, but so is taking care of your physical and mental health. You have to make sure you don’t end up completely exhausted at the end of each school assignment, and for that, you have to include a bit of relaxation in your schedule and take regular breaks.
You can’t spend every waking minute thinking about school work and the assignments you have to get done. Studies have shown that taking short breaks can improve your focus and productivity. Of course, you have to plan your breaks if you want to avoid burnout and boost your performance.
Keeping a healthy study-life balance can be quite challenging, but it can be achieved with the right strategies and a few lifestyle tweaks. It’s important to figure out what techniques work best for you and, based on them, create a routine that can help you thrive in your student years.