How to find a school/work/life balance

Whether you're attending programs at CDI College, Reeves College, or Vancouver Career College, post-secondary education can be demanding of your time and energy. But it shouldn’t deplete your health, your career, or your family life. 

Here are five tips to help you achieve a healthy work-school-life balance in 2019 and beyond. 

1.  Save the date 

Set aside a bit of time each week to plan out your schedule. In addition to work and classes, you should also schedule times to study and work on afterschool assignments. The calendar on your smartphone is great for organizing your week. You can even set reminders. When you have everything laid out, it’s easier to see the big picture and that you do, in fact, have time for family, friends, and even the gym. 

2.  Prioritize your health

It’s easy to prioritize college life at the expense of your health and well-being but this can actually have a negative impact on your academic performance. When you’re not in good shape physically, mentally, and emotionally, every aspect of your life will suffer -- including your grades. Take care of yourself by eating healthy meals, exercising at least three times a week, and sleeping for a minimum of eight hours per night. Additionally, refrain from the excessive use of alcohol, tobacco, or drugs. 

3.  Establish boundaries at work 

If you are overwhelmed at work, don’t be afraid to explain your situation to your supervisor. Demanding work situations can usually be alleviated, but it starts with you. Set fair and realistic limits on what you can and cannot do based on your course load. Fortunately, many colleges these days offer part-time programs, distance education, and courses that can be completed in under a year. Check out Reeves College programs, CDI College programs, and Vancouver Career College programs for flexible course schedules that will make it easy to balance all of your responsibilities. 

4. Family matters 

Finding ways to integrate school and personal life can be challenging but it is also essential. When you choose to make a life change such as going back to school, it can affect your partner and your family -- just as much as you. Although you are making sacrifices to prepare for a better future for everyone, make sure your partner and your family understand this objective and support your decision. They may even be willing to lend an extra hand at home if it means spending more quality time with you. 

5. Make time for yourself

It’s important to set aside some time for yourself. Be sure to find a way to relax and unwind after a long week or even a long day. Go for a walk in nature, listen to music, hang out with friends or even binge out on Netflix. You deserve it. Even an hour of me-time will go a long way to make you feel refreshed and ready to tackle work and school effectively.