Having Trouble Finding a Balance in Your Personal, Work, and Study Life?

Former Member

Hello Everyone,

I'm writing to this because I'm finding it really difficult to juggle work, school, and personal concerns. I currently attend university full-time while working part-time, and I find it extremely challenging to organise my time well. My performance at work is falling, my grades are beginning to suffer, and I have grown out of time for friends and family along with for myself.

I've tried making to-do lists and schedules, but I often tend to getting lost or putting projects on. Even when I do make it to my timeline, I still feel overwhelmed and worn out. I feel like I'm continually playing catch-up and there's never sufficient time in each day to get stuff done.

Has anyone else encountered an incident like this? How did you come to a state of equilibrium? I'm searching for helpful suggestions or advise that have proved effective for you. I'm open to suggestions for everything from time management tactics to alleviating stress methods to methods for continuing the drive and focus.

Additionally, I would really appreciate it if you could suggest any websites, applications, or publications that can aid in stress relief and productivity. I'd also be interested in knowing how you do it while managing a lot of functions and find time for personal care and mental wellness.

I appreciate your assistance and support in advance. Knowing that I'm not the only one going through this and that others have fully surmounted very similar issues is significant a lot.

Thank you in advance.

lunarcat522

Hi @Jesica I definitely struggle at times with time management so you're definitely not alone in that! I would suggest firstly if you haven't already bring up your concerns over staying on track to your lecturers and possibly student support, as they may be able to help you in a more specific way.

I would maybe suggest rather than making timetables if you struggle with them to have a look at how much time you currently spend on each aspect of your life and then think about what you would like to spend more or less time on as a good place to start.

For spending more time with friends and family you could maybe arrange for semi regular meet ups - they don't have to be long, it could just be something like a 15 minute walk at the end of the day or meeting up for lunch. I think instead of trying for a drastic change it might help to try and make small changes and progress bit by bit so it doesn't seem too difficult or out of reach.

In terms of productivity for things such as assignments or revision I really like using the Pomodoro method where you revise in bursts with breaks spaced out in between.

https://tomatotimers.com/
https://youtube.com/@PomodoroCat

It might also help to set daily goals on what you want to achieve that day and then limit any activities that may prevent you from reaching the goal e.g. if your aim for one day is to spend some time with family and friends you could set a limit on the number of hours you spend on uni work

Unfortunately for me I've not been able to find an "equilibrium" as of yet and as my priorities change so does my work/life balance, especially during exam seasons.

I'm not sure if they are still running but The Mix has run body doubling sessions to aid revision and give a sense of motivation and accountability where you set out your goals at the start of the session and work quietly on whatever you choose with a short break in-between.

I would recommend https://goblin.tools/ as a website as it can give estimates on how long tasks take as well as other useful functions.

I also use Lunatask which allows you to prioritise tasks, track emotions, journal, note take, and record various relationships.

I hope this helps!