University is a lot of work and really needs 100% of your attention to stay on top of everything. Unfortunately, for most students that’s not an option.
The cost of living is insanely high, and it’s just not affordable to not work at the same time as university. The issue with this is university isn’t built to be done while working. The amount of thought and attention you need to give to your education is astronomical, especially once you reach 3rd and 4th year. Adding a part-time job into the mix makes it all that more exhausting. It’s difficult to even get a chance to unwind and take a break because you are constantly thinking about what you need to do.
The issue is that there’s not really a solution to this. All we can really do is try to manage with it all, which often leads to burn out and lack of motivation. Society teaches us to push ourselves to the limit, but that is extremely unhealthy.
Finding a balance is well near impossible, but there’s somethings you can do that at least help a little.
Stand your ground
When it comes to university students working part time jobs, it’s very easy to get taken advantage of. Being put on too many shifts, hours not being respected, expected to be able to handle more because you’re young all comes into play.
For young people, it’s very common to be overworked as employers don’t think that you stand up for yourself.
This is why setting boundaries is a must. Be clear about your hours, and if they get disrespected don’t just let it go, stand your ground!
It can be scary to stand up for yourself, but a lot of the time people have more respect for you if you do. It’s not right by any means, and it shouldn’t take you having to tell people they need to respect your personal capabilities to overwork you, but unfortunately it’s a common experience.
Take a break
If things are getting too much for you and you know you’re almost at your breaking point, it’s okay to stop for a minute.
Of course, that’s easier said than done but even taking 30 minutes in a day to yourself, to sit and to breathe and to not think about all you have to do can make a difference.
We get caught up in the thought of never wasting anytime, of constantly keeping going. But the issue with that mentality is that if you never stop then you’ll be forced to stop. Our bodies need rest and our minds need relaxation.
We can think we can go on and on and on, but it’ll eventually go far enough that you can’t do anymore. It’s okay to stop for a minute, it’s okay to think about yourself. The world won’t stop turning if you take a break.
Go for a walk, read a chapter of a book, buy yourself a coffee – relaxing doesn’t have to be completely time consuming, it can be half an hour to let your brain calm down before you jump to the next thing you’re panicking about.
It may seem impossible to let yourself stop, but it can make a world of difference.
Enjoy yourself
When we are in this cycle of non-stop work and uni, it can be hard to enjoy yourself. When we do get a day off to do something fun, the guilt of not working on something can prevent us from doing it.
A part of balancing your life is to make sure you’re getting away to go out to do something fun and go out with friends. It can be difficult to stop yourself form thinking that it’s a waste of money and that since you’re working so hard you shouldn’t be stopping.
However, for the sake of your mental health spending time with other people is a must.
It’s not a waste of money to go see a movie or go for a nice meal or have a night out. You deserve the chance to have fun, and it will actually help you think more clearly.
Work/uni life balance is hard, and it’s completely fine to struggle and have days you can’t cope with it. You don’t have to always be fighting past your emotions. Letting yourself feel is one of the most beneficial things you can do for your wellbeing, it’s 100 per cent natural. Don’t let anyone tell you otherwise!
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