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The thrill of starting college and gaining financial independence through a job is an experience like no other. Balancing school and work seemed effortless to me; stress was practically non-existent. But as time passed, I realised that my life had become a constant cycle of school and work, leaving little space for other important aspects—my health.
My weight and overall well-being had been neglected, and I knew I needed to make a change. So, I decided to sign up for a gym membership. However, the equation became more complicated: school, work, and now fitness. What once felt manageable started to feel overwhelming.
Initially, it was tough. I struggled to keep up with everything and felt tempted to cut back on my fitness routine or sacrifice time for schoolwork. But giving up on either wasn’t an option—I couldn’t neglect my education, and my health was too valuable to ignore. However, after doing some research, reading books, and watching videos on time management, I discovered strategies that allowed me to balance everything effectively.
Now that I’ve found a routine that works, I want to share these insights with my fellow students who might be facing the same struggles. In this post, I’ll break down the key habits that helped me manage work, college, and fitness without losing my mind. Here’s how I did it:
1. How Can I Find Time for Everything?
As the saying goes, “There should be time for everything,” and having a structured schedule can make a huge difference 1. When you allocate specific times for your daily tasks, you’ll find that you get more done than when you don’t.
In the past, I handled tasks without planning, which often led to wasted time. This was until I found out that having a schedule could help me get more done quicker so that I still had time to relax. So, whether you use a simple notebook or a scheduling app, mapping out your week or month goes a long way.
A well-organised plan helps you stay on top of your responsibilities while allowing time to socialise and rest. For example, using a daily planner to schedule work, classes, and workouts can keep you on track and reduce stress.
2. How do I create a schedule?
As I mentioned earlier, creating a schedule helps you organise your life. To do this, you’ll want to set aside time for working out, catching up on school projects, managing assignments, maintaining a stable work schedule, and enjoying productive or leisure activities.
“Balance is not something you find; it’s something you create.”
First start with your academic tasks. Consider scheduling time for projects and assignments right after classes or during breaks while you’re still on campus. This way, when you get home, you can focus on other activities. If you have coursework with a set deadline, spend at least an hour each day working on it. This approach reduces the pressure as deadlines approach.
For workouts, plan them on days that fit your schedule and where you can commit fully. For example, I aim to exercise at least three times a week, typically on days I don’t work or in the mornings if my classes start in the afternoon. This is because I find it easier to stick to my fitness goals when I schedule workouts on days with fewer commitments.
After scheduling your workout days, don’t forget to include rest days. These are your recharge days—time to relax, practice a healthy diet, and get enough rest. Rest is crucial for staying energised and productive throughout week 2.
Lastly, leave some flexibility in your schedule for unexpected events. This way, you can handle surprises without disrupting your routine or decreasing your productivity.
3. How should I schedule my workdays?
Let’s not forget about your source of income: work. This is a necessary part of your life and should be thoughtfully included in your schedule. If you’re a part-time employee, you will often have the flexibility to choose your workdays, and many employers understand students’ needs for flexible schedules.
When setting your availability, consider how your work hours will impact your other responsibilities, such as academics, social life, and exercise. If you find that juggling work with your studies is overwhelming, it might be wise to reduce your working hours. Overcommitting can lead to burnout, drain your energy, and negatively impact your performance at work and school.
I learnt this the hard way. At one point, I worked seven days a week, going straight from college to my job every day. My teacher eventually called me in for a one-to-one meeting, concerned about how my workload had affected my academic performance. This was the wake-up call that forced me to reassess my schedule and make changes to avoid burnout.
If you’re in a similar situation, don’t hesitate to talk to your employer about finding a compromise that allows you to manage your responsibilities without exhausting yourself. Most employers value having happy, healthy employees, as stress and burnout can hinder productivity.
5. How do I practice my newly created schedule?
Once you’ve created your schedule, try following it for a week to see how it works in your daily routine. If it helps you stay on track and manage your tasks, keep using it. If not, make some changes until it works better for you. It’s essential to have a schedule that fits your lifestyle and helps you stay productive, so continue to tweak and adjust it until it feels right.
6. Be adaptable.
If you’re already working when you decide to create your exercise and study schedule, adjust it to fit comfortably around your job. This means ensuring that you have enough time to rest, engage in social activities, and take care of other responsibilities. For example, use your breaks or free time to connect with friends and family or catch up on personal tasks. Aim for a schedule that balances all aspects of your life without making you feel overwhelmed.
Balancing work, college, and exercise with a solid schedule is important to ensure that one part of your life doesn’t mess up another. If your job is interfering with your schoolwork or academics is impacting your exercise routine, it’s time to set clear boundaries.
I made it a point to leave work concerns at the office and fully focus on my studies during study time. This approach helped me maintain a clear mind and perform better in both areas. Previously, I carried work problems home, which not only disrupted my focus on my coursework but also affected my mood. By dedicating my attention to one task at a time—whether it was work, studying, or exercising—I was able to remain productive and avoid unnecessary worries.
So if you find yourself worrying about finishing an assignment while at work, remind yourself that you’ll handle it when you get home. Similarly, when working out, focus on your exercise and push aside any thoughts about work or school. This way your mind will be clear and focused.
8. What other ways can I use to find balance?
If you’re struggling with your studies or life on campus, don’t hesitate to use your college’s support system. A good place to start is by contacting your student union or reaching out to your tutor for guidance.
Many colleges and even high schools usually offer counselling services, providing a safe space to discuss your feelings and worries. They can also guide you on how to improve your academic performance and reach your academic goals.
Your family and friends are also invaluable sources of support. Sometimes, talking to loved ones about your challenges provides comfort, which may be hard to find elsewhere. They can help you stay on track, encourage, and remind you to stick to your schedule. If you’re living on campus and feeling disconnected, consider taking a break to visit your family or having them visit you.
9. Should I celebrate my successful commitment to my schedule?
Definitely! Give yourself credit where it’s due. Keeping a schedule for a week, passing an exam, or consistently showing up at the gym is a big deal. Though it’s easy to downplay these achievements, each step forward is worth celebrating.
You don’t even need a grand gesture—sometimes, a little reward can go a long way. Treat yourself to your favourite snack, take a break with a show you love, or give yourself time to a moment of silence to appreciate your efforts. These small celebrations keep you motivated and make your routine feel less like a grind and more like a journey with milestones worth celebrating.
Conclusion
Achieving a balance between work, college, and exercise starts with deciding to make it happen. You won’t know if these tips work for you until you try them. So, why not give them a shot and see how they fit into your routine?
Once you’ve tried, drop a comment below to let me know how it went. If you have other ideas that have worked for you, please share them too. Your experience could be just what someone else needs.
