Optimal College-Work and life balance

Today, there are many individuals who are working to fund their studies, either full-time or part-time. While for many people it is impossible to study and work at the same time, others have no option, as they need income to pay for their tuition and other basic needs. To succeed, you need to know how to achieve college, work, and life balance.

Due to advances in technology, the borders between our personal lives and work have become more blurred, as there are more opportunities to engage in work or study anytime, anywhere, with most people now working 24/7. Individuals no longer have to attend college or work in person, as they can study and work online from anywhere.

Many employees are going back to college to increase their qualifications to give them a competitive edge in building a long, successful career. Currently, most CPA and Graduate students are balancing family, work, and studies.

However, very often, most people prioritize work and academics at the expense of personal factors, including relationships, and exercise. This can lead to many negative professional and personal outcomes, such as lower job & life satisfaction, lower career commitment, chronic stress, decline in academic performance, as well as general health and well-being, critical to optimal productivity and academic functioning.

While many people experience this conflict at some point in their lives, it is important to restore balance before the negative effects take hold. To succeed, one should be motivated, disciplined, and able to prioritize all essential ingredients.

Tips to achieve optimal College-Work and life balance

While managing the multiple demands of your career, college, and personal life can be challenging, you can be successful if you keep the following tips in mind.

Time Management

Time management is one of the key ingredients to professional and academic success. You should therefore plan your time and concentrate your efforts on what is most important. Below are some steps you can follow:

1. Prioritize tasks.
2. Plan your schedule & make a day or weekly to-do list.
3. Set goals and deadlines for each project or course.
4. Stick to schedule.
5. Assess the amount of time you waste.
6. Avoid perfectionism.

Beware of too much stress

While a small amount of stress can be good, motivating you to perform well, too much stress can push you beyond your ability to cope. Chronic stress is associated with serious health complications, including:

1. Anxiety & panic attacks.
2. Sleeplessness.
3. Allergic reactions, such as asthma or eczema.
4. Physical problems such as headaches, chest pains, or stomach aches.
5. Excessive drinking, smoking, drug use, and overeating.
6. Depression, moodiness & irritability.
7. A feeling of being constantly pressured, hurried, and hustled.

You should not wait until stress damages your health, relations, and quality of life. Managing stress will help you reset and recalibrate your alarm system.

7 Ways to relieve stress

1. Ensure you exercise regularly, eat healthy, and get plenty of sleep.
2. Take breaks from studying, working, and listening to news including social media. Do things that you enjoy, particularly outdoor events.
3. Make the best out of stressful circumstances -be optimistic- your outlook, attitude, and thoughts influence the way you see things.
4. Learn ways to relax your body and mind through meditation, massage, yoga, and breathing exercises.
5. Avoid excessive alcohol, tobacco, and substance abuse.
6. Practice positive self-talk, and talk to your friends or loved ones.
7. Recognize when you need more help and ask for help. People who have a strong network of family and friends manage stress better.

Strive to be a high achiever, not a perfectionist

Perfectionism makes people do more than they can do well, putting their health at risk, and undermining performance and productivity. It is usually fueled by the need for others’ approval.
While many perfectionists believe that they will only find success through giving 100% to every assignment, project, or cause, studies have shown that perfectionist attitudes interfere with success by leading to low self-esteem, rigidity, guilt, anxiety, demotivation, procrastination, eating disorders, relationship problems, and compulsive behaviors.
Though it is good to strive to do the best you can, you can be a high achiever without being a perfectionist. This can be achieved by knowing your limitations and practicing the following behaviors:

1. Setting standards that are high but achievable.
2. Monitoring your positive and negative thoughts.
3. Enjoying the process, not just the outcome.
4. Reacting positively to constructive feedback.

Maintain a healthy lifestyle

Your physical, mental, and emotional well-being plays a major role in your academic, personal, and professional success. You should therefore take time to maintain an active healthy lifestyle by:

1. Making time for yourself.
2. Exercising and eating healthily.
3. Enjoying time spent with your family and friends.
4. Making time to grow emotionally and spiritually.

Learn to say No

Meeting your responsibilities at home, work and college is challenging, so learn to say no to new initiatives at work, home, or in the community. Once your workload reduces, you will have enough time to volunteer. Most problems people encounter are caused by not saying no soon enough, but saying yes too quickly.

Be content with where you are

Don’t worry about what you aren’t doing. Stay focused on the task at hand-don’t worry about work when you’re in class or studying, and don’t let work or college interfere with spending quality time with your family and friends.

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