Life can often feel like a juggling act between three to eighty-two different things each and every day. So learning how to create a work-life balance is at the top of most people’s lists – especially if you’re also in college!
Are you in college and struggling to keep up with not only your studies, but with your job, family, friends and partner? If so, you’re in the perfect place! If you’re like me and not in college these days, you can definitely still apply these tips for creating balance in your life.
It has been five years since I graduated college. I know many of you that are my loyal readers are also finished up with college.
In my first reader survey, I received responses from some of you wanting to learn more about work-life balance while attending college. So this post is for those of you who requested it! 🙂 I can certainly share with you some of the things that led to my success in keeping up with all angles during that time.
Also, if you haven’t taken my survey yet, pretty please fill it out! Your feedback means so much to me and helps me to best serve you with content you want to see!
Having a Positive Mindset
When I first started college, I balanced my time partly at work and partly at college. This was hard work.
However, it would become more difficult in 2014 when I met my now-husband Kyle. This added another very important part to my life – so I had three major parts of my life to balance. There were certainly other important areas that needed attention as well, such as friendships, close family members, church events, and so on.
It wasn’t until 2014 that I realized just how important mindset was to my success. It could help lead me to many successful wins in each area of my life, and it could absolutely wreck each of them just as quickly.
Learning how to have a good, positive mindset is not something a person can obtain fully overnight. However, with each passing day that you put the work in, you will be creating a more solid foundation.
If we use the example of building a foundation, imagine that each day that you work on your mindset, you’re adding another brick to your foundation. Brick by brick, day by day, you will find it easier to navigate through these sections of your life that you’re currently juggling.
I think this little subsection deserves its own blog post to truly discuss how to create a positive mindset, however, for the purposes of this particular post, here are some ways that you start building that strong foundation.
Start building a positive mindset by:
- Practice gratitude
- Meditate for at least 10 minutes each day
- Journal your thoughts and feelings
- Set healthy boundaries for yourself
- Limit negativity on social media and TV
- Feed your soul with inspiring and motivating podcasts or blog posts
Planning Everything
If you’ve been here before, then you’ve heard me say this plenty before: planning keeps me sane! It was no different back in the day when I was juggling work, school and relationships.
I had what seemed like an endless amount of appointments, tests, due dates for papers, actual dates with my boyfriend, fun nights with my best friend, meetings for work, etc.
You get the idea and I’m sure you feel or have felt this pain!
The game-changer for me in keeping up with everything was to write it all down in my planner. I had a one-stop-shop for all the events taking place in my life that could be planned for. I strongly encourage you to keep a planner for yourself. I’m confident that it will be so helpful to you. It will not only help you get organized, but keep you organized if you continue using it.
Back in the day, I used Bloom Daily Planners. I still use them on and off and they have a great selection to choose from! Currently, I use the Erin Condren LifePlanner and it has helped me to stay organized.
You can check out my review from January of this year, and if you use my affiliate link, you can save $10 if this is your first purchase from EC!
If you happen to not be a paper girl like myself, there are a ton of electronic options. You could keep it in your phone’s calendar, set up a Google calendar and docs so that you can view it on your desktop/laptop or on your phone at any time. Makes things convenient!
Staying Present
I learned that it was extremely important for me to be present wherever I was physically at. My main goal was to remain focused on exactly what I was doing at the moment, or on who I was with at a particular time.
If I was at college, my main goal was to focus solely on college. That means that I wasn’t thinking about the stack of papers I left on my desk at work, how handsome my boyfriend was, or any of the other eighty-two things that could be going through my head at the time.
It was difficult to learn, but I was immeasurably more successful at creating that work-life balance by continually working on this. Staying present helps us to stay mindful of what’s in front of us, and I believe it has helped me far beyond college. It can be a daily battle, but never stop trying, friend.
I hope that you’ve gained something from this post on learning how to create work-life balance in college. These tips could certainly be utilized in just trying to create work-life balance in general.
Please give this post a share if you enjoyed it, I will be forever grateful!
Let’s Chat!
Would you like to see a blog post covering how to have a positive mindset?
Are you currently trying to juggle school/work/relationships?
Do you have a favorite tip to balancing things in life?
Great tips – I’ve started practicing gratitude recently it’s really beneficial!
Thanks so much, Nadine! That is wonderful!! I agree, it makes a huge difference! 😊
Good job!! I definitely need get better at finding balance right now!
Jennifer
Curated By Jennifer
Thank you so much, friend!! In this crazy time of Covid, it definitely is more difficult. I know you’re doing a fantastic job!
I always say it begins with the mindset and the power of shifting your mindset to a positive one is the ultimate solution to many of our problems!
https://www.mariannyc.com/october-favorites/
I love that saying, Mariann! You are absolutely on point, couldn’t have said it better! 🙂
I somehow managed having two jobs alongside studying my degree at one point and I used to sometimes run off 3 hours sleep (don’t ask me how!) But all my hard work paid off in the end!!
Chloe X https://www.chloepryce.com/
Oh my goodness, Chloe!! You were unstoppable, my friend! That’s definitely not enough sleep, but so proud of you for seeing it all through – that’s awesome! 🙂
What wonderful tips! I think they will be very useful for many students
http://www.recklessdiary.ru
That means so much, Anya! 🙂 Thank you!!
This guide is so helpful! As a current college student, it is so stressful to balance full time school, part time job, my blog, and my relationship. I feel the same way about planning! I love keeping my planner on me at all times so I could know where I need to be and when. It’s a lot to juggle!
Jill
https://jilliancecilia.com/
It sure is, Jill! I’m so happy you found this helpful. Wishing you all the best, you’ve got this, friend!
There is a need for a lot of positivity and your blog expresses it well! 🙂
Would you like to follow each other? Click on the blue ”follow” writing on my blog 🙂
fiftyshadesfashion.com
Thank you so much, Grace! I truly appreciate that! 🙂
wow! It is really not easy to be Work-Life Balance! Great Tips!
Thanks for sharing 🌹
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It’s tough to juggle, but so well worth it in the end. Thank you so much, Miki!
A good balance is very important in life. Even if you’re in college, there is so much to struggle. I completely agree to all your points!
xx Simone
Little Glittery Box
I completely agree, Simone. Balance in key in everything. Thanks so much!
Absolutely love these tips!!!
Thank you
Lots of love ♥
Serene xoxo
http://www.surrealserene.com
Thank you so much, Serene! 🙂
Yes to all these suggestions. Journaling really helps me. My problem is that I sometimes can’t slow down from my plans and stay present. Thanks for all these tips Ashley!
https://www.kathrineeldridge.com
I can totally relate to that, friend! Thanks so much for reading and taking the time to comment. 🙂
Yes to all these tips! Honestly, I wish I knew this back when I was in college. There was none of that during my time.
http://www.rdsobsessions.com
Aww, thank you Rach! I appreciate your kind words. You made it through and that’s what matters most! 🙂
Great tips! I’m no longer in college, but I remember those hectic times. Now I am living the hectic mom life, so I can def. put some of these tips to use.
Carrie
curlycraftymom.com
I hope they are helpful for you, Carrie! I can’t imagine being a momma and juggling everything. I have no doubt that you are doing amazing!!
those are some amazing tips!!
love from the sandpits of dubai..
http://www.mahryska.com
Thank you so much, Mahryska! 🙂
These are great tips. I think planning is so important x
Laura
https://www.beautywithlala.com/
It really is a life-saver! Thank you so much, Laura!
I really enjoyed reading about professional balance, it’s something I’m trying to put into my life. xoxo https://beperes.blogspot.com/
Thanks so much, Brena! You’ve got this, friend!
I think the most difficult thing for me was to stay present when I was at school.
I’m a dreamer. I always struggled to stay focus.
But theses tips are great. Thanks for sharing !
xx
Margot
https://troughthepasturesofthesky.com
It’s definitely tough to stay focused when you have so much going on. I think it’s great that you’re a dreamer – I need to allow myself to do a little more of that lately. 🙂 Thanks so much, Margot!
Can be tough but you definitely have the right idea. Nice tips!
XX Angelica
https://eraenvogue.com
You are so right – it’s definitely a difficult task, my friend. Thanks so much, Angelica!
Ahhh you have done well to manage your time girl! I have to do similar!
https://www.emilyclareskinner.com
Aww, thank you so much Emily! You’ve got this – I have no doubt you’re going to be so successful! 🙂
I’m also quite a planning freak: I feel like if I write down everything, it will be more easy to get it done.
As always, thank you for sharing your tips with us.
Have a great weekend!
xx
Eli | Curly Style
I feel the very same! It really helps me to sort of see everything at once, and then I can sort it all out a little easier. Thanks so much for reading, my friend, you are always so kind!
These are great tips not only for college but for life. I also practice the same and it really help me.
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That’s wonderful, friend! I’m so happy you find these tips helpful in your life, too!
Planning is so key! It’s all about time management xx
5 Ways To Feel Great Every Morning | Vegan Fashion + Lifestyle Blog
Yes ma’am! Thanks so much, Caitlin!
Great tips beautiful! For me in the last weeks the greatest struggle was to not spend too much time on my phone. It really took my mood down, but even though I knew that it kills my productivity and happiness as well I couldn`t limit it – so weird how the human brain sometimes works 😉
Thanks for sharing your tips, it´s always good to get a reminder!!
hope you have an amazing weekend,
Tiziana
http://www.tizianaolbrich.de
Thank you so much, Tiziana! 🙂 I can totally relate to that. It’s difficult to find a good balance, or at least scheduling out times for being productive and times for just relaxing and enjoying screen time. I hope you are having the best week, my friend.
Yes I remember what this was like in college I went to school and worked. I went to a very demanding school. But what I learned in school as well as on my own on how to manage my time has helped me quite a bit now with working full time and maintaining a blog and YouTube channel.
Allie of
http://www.allienyc.com