Students life and wellbeing
Handle/Tag: #StudentLife #MentalHealth #TimeManagement
Reply 1
Handle/Tag: #StudentLife #MentalHealth #TimeManagement
Hi @Josh70p
To first counteract your stress, you need to balance your time management between these things - exams, social and part time jobs. The best thing to do is to set out a calendar that takes into account all your life ventures. You should set boundaries between what is social time and what is study time for exams but make sure there is not an imbalance of one over the other. Social time is important to schedule into your routine to avoid burnout from studies.
My tips for avoiding burnout:
•
get plenty of sleep.
•
prioritise self care - looking after yourself is super important, for example, if you need a break from study make sure you take a time out.
•
Spend time with family and friends.
•
Engage in relaxing hobbies.
•
Learn to say no: Don't overcommit, decline job shifts for example if you feel you are too overloaded or need a break. This will help to protect your time and energy and prevent burnout.
•
If you are feeling stressed, speak to loved ones and get support if you need - this is the most important.
I hope this helps!
If you have any other questions, feel free to fire away!
Jess (University of Southampton Student Rep)
Reply 2
Handle/Tag: #StudentLife #MentalHealth #TimeManagement
Hi there @Josh70p,
Student life is challenging, especially when you are living alone and juggling work and studies while attempting to have a social life 😪 Personally, I like to plan out my weeks with a calendar to keep track of all my deadlines! This helps me compartmentalise my time and spread out my workload so that I can avoid having to work on assignments or studying last minute. It's important to keep little routines and small rewards to keep you sane and look forward too each week🙂
I hope this helps and I wish you the best of luck in your uni journey.
Zhi En
(Kingston Student Rep.)
Reply 3
It does go without saying that university can be an overwhelming time, and trying to find balance can be difficult. The first thing i'd say to remember is you're not alone! I'd say I'm a very busy person, I have a part time job, a full time university course, and a booming social life but you can do it.
Some ways I'd say to stay on top of things is a calendar!
At freshers fair Universities tend to give out a free wall calendar. I find for me, seeing everything really helps me to remain calm and just to take it one day at a time. But, if your uni doesn't give this out there's many apps that are available for free that can really benefit you.
I use Howbout, this also syncs up with your friends calendars so it's easy to see when people are doing what and you're able to plan things. I also recommend apple calendar, this is brilliant. OR notion.
I think if you stay on top of organisation everything else does just fall into place.
If you are struggling please don't be afraid to speak up! To your friends, lecturers or your universities wellbeing team. I have done this a couple of times and it's great sometimes just the reassurance that you're not alone.
Also you should remember that rest IS productive.
I hope this helps,
BCU Student Rep
Maya
Reply 4
Handle/Tag: #StudentLife #MentalHealth #TimeManagement
Hey!
This is a great question! Honestly, the biggest game-changer for me was getting myself a diary/planner. Sounds basic, but it saved my life when it came to time management. I put literally everything in there…job shifts, deadlines, lectures, even small study goals. Breaking assignments into little chunks each day makes them feel way less overwhelming, and you actually get that satisfaction of ticking things off as you go.
I also try to schedule in social evenings and proper “me time” the same way I would a lecture, self-care is just as important as work. Whether it’s a night out with friends, a Netflix binge, or just a long bath, those things help me recharge. Keeping in touch with family and friends from home really helps too. Even planning a trip back every now and again gives you something to look forward to and eases homesickness.
And honestly don’t underestimate the basics, sleep and eating well. They sound boring, but they make such a difference in how much energy and focus you’ve got.
Most important of all, if you’re struggling, talk to someone. Other students, lecturers, or the uni wellbeing team, you’re never alone in it, and it’s so much better than bottling things up.
You can balance it all, just make sure you’re looking after yourself along the way 💪
Good luck 🙂
Sophie
Reply 5
Handle/Tag: #StudentLife #MentalHealth #TimeManagement
Hiya!
Balancing work, studies, and a social life can feel like a rollercoaster, some days I’m on top of everything, and other days my to-do list feels endless. But learning to juggle it all has been such an important life skill, helping me develop time management, organisation, and resilience without burning out, and this can really hard as a student.
Finding the right job.
When I was job hunting, I prioritised flexibility. I chose a role that worked around my university timetable and could be done on evenings or weekdays since I usually travel home on weekends and this is what worked for me. For students, it's crucial to find a job that accommodates academic demands, as your studies should always be your top priority, especially during exams and assignment deadlines when stress levels are already high.
Time management strategies
I plan my week in both a physical diary and on my laptop for easy access, and even let my family know when I’m in Leicester and what my weekend plans are. Colour-coding my schedule such as lectures, shifts, social activities, really helped me to stay organised and prioritise deadlines or important meetings during busy periods.
Maintaining academic performance
No matter how hectic things got, I always made sure my studies came first. Being well-organised made it possible to keep my academic performance strong while still working part-time. Don't get me wrong, there was times where I should of started an assignment much earlier than I did but we’re all human, and I learned that the stress of leaving things too late just isn’t worth it and I definitely experienced academic burnout.
Balancing social life & wellbeing
I always scheduled time with friends, family, and my boyfriend, whether that was a FaceTime call, a walk, or a day out. I also made space for downtime to relax and recharge, because rest isn’t laziness, it’s necessary sometimes.
To take away
Of course, things can get overwhelming during deadlines or unexpected challenges, and being a university student is a new and often difficult yet amazing experience. That’s why I believe open communication is key. Whether it’s with employers, tutors, or loved ones, asking for flexibility, extensions, or even counselling can make a big difference.
And if it all feels like too much, don’t be afraid to hit pause, reach out, or simply plan a day of doing nothing at all. Giving yourself a break is part of staying productive in the long run.
-Maddie, Health and Wellbeing in Society Graduate from De Montfort University
Reply 6
Handle/Tag: #StudentLife #MentalHealth #TimeManagement
Hey,
That is a huge challenge that many students face, but it's totally manageable with a bit of planning. The key is to be intentional with your time and make sure you're taking care of yourself.
Make a plan
A way to start is by creating a simple weekly schedule. Look at your university timetable and your work days, and then block out dedicated time for studying and for rest. The way I do it is like this: I do most of my schoolwork on campus and then do the rest at home. This helps me to separate my study time from my personal time, so I can relax when I'm at home.
Balancing Work & Social Life
This will depend on what type of work you have. I have a student job where you can choose your shifts; that way, your work can fit around your studies, not the other way around. When it comes to your social life, try to schedule it like you would an exam. I find it helps to plan get-togethers on the weekends or in the afternoons when you finish uni early.
Remember that rest is just as important as studying or working. Making a plan will help you keep everything balanced and prevent burnout.
Hope this helps! 😊
Rachel
(Third Year)
Undergraduate Multimedia Journalism
Reply 7
Handle/Tag: #StudentLife #MentalHealth #TimeManagement
Hey there 👋
My name is Siobhan and I’m a recent graduate from the University of Lancashire and I’m so glad you’re reaching out! You are definitely not the only one in this as I was struggling a lot in 3rd year with dissertations, placement, work and social life. Here’s something that helped me keep everything (kind of) under control:
Realistic timetables and manageable to do lists:
•
Whenever things started piling up, I’d track what I needed to do in my phone or a diary just week by week (or every two weeks), so I could stay flexible for things like surprise meetings or last-minute deadlines.
•
With big tasks like my dissertation, I’d break things down. For example, if I had five papers to go through, I’d set one small task per day like read paper 1 and summarise one day, then analyse findings the next.
•
Breaking things into chunks made it way less overwhelming, and it felt good ticking off the small wins as I went.
Find a 0 hour contract job instead
•
I was fortunate enough to have a 0-hour contract job/ ad hoc job throughout second and third year which gave me a lot more flexibility with my time management.
•
Student ambassador jobs are a great way to have this as the university understands how important your uni work is and will be supportive when you can and cannot work.
•
This took a lot of pressure off me meeting a minimum of certain hours a week with a part time job but also gave me reassurance that if I needed a bit more money then I had the opportunity to get some 🙂
Social time and alone time
•
It’s really important to set some time to socialise with friends/family, as this can help you refresh you brain and avoid burnout
•
But also remember that it’s okay to say no if you aren’t feeling up to meeting up or you have a lot on your plate
•
Also make sure to set time for yourself to relax and do soemthing you enjoy such as cooking, watching a show, doing a sport etc as your overall wellbeing is the most important thing
Seek help if you need it
•
When the I felt burnt out I turned to my lecturers/academic supervisors at uni who were able to help support me when I was falling behind on work
•
I also got in touch with the wellbeing services was able to have a couples counselling sessions. This helped me a lot to get all the pent up frustrations out in a safe and supportive way
•
Being transparent is so so key if you’re struggling as there is so much help and support that will be available to you 🙂
Remember not to suffer in silence and that your emotions alone in this! I hope this has helped you and please let me know if I can help in any other way.
Siobhan (Student Ambassador for the University of Lancashire)
Reply 8
It does go without saying that university can be an overwhelming time, and trying to find balance can be difficult. The first thing i'd say to remember is you're not alone! I'd say I'm a very busy person, I have a part time job, a full time university course, and a booming social life but you can do it.
Some ways I'd say to stay on top of things is a calendar!
At freshers fair Universities tend to give out a free wall calendar. I find for me, seeing everything really helps me to remain calm and just to take it one day at a time. But, if your uni doesn't give this out there's many apps that are available for free that can really benefit you.
I use Howbout, this also syncs up with your friends calendars so it's easy to see when people are doing what and you're able to plan things. I also recommend apple calendar, this is brilliant. OR notion.
I think if you stay on top of organisation everything else does just fall into place.
If you are struggling please don't be afraid to speak up! To your friends, lecturers or your universities wellbeing team. I have done this a couple of times and it's great sometimes just the reassurance that you're not alone.
Also you should remember that rest IS productive.
I hope this helps,
BCU Student Rep
Maya
Very helpful, I'm glad for your kind guide.
Reply 9
To first counteract your stress, you need to balance your time management between these things - exams, social and part time jobs. The best thing to do is to set out a calendar that takes into account all your life ventures. You should set boundaries between what is social time and what is study time for exams but make sure there is not an imbalance of one over the other. Social time is important to schedule into your routine to avoid burnout from studies.
My tips for avoiding burnout:
•
get plenty of sleep.
•
prioritise self care - looking after yourself is super important, for example, if you need a break from study make sure you take a time out.
•
Spend time with family and friends.
•
Engage in relaxing hobbies.
•
Learn to say no: Don't overcommit, decline job shifts for example if you feel you are too overloaded or need a break. This will help to protect your time and energy and prevent burnout.
•
If you are feeling stressed, speak to loved ones and get support if you need - this is the most important.
I hope this helps!
If you have any other questions, feel free to fire away!
Jess (University of Southampton Student Rep)
Please I want to know how I can get to connect with students of Uni of Southampton?
I believe that would help me better.
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