No more creeping deadlines: how to maintain a good work-life balance

Gracie Moore provides some useful tips on how to avoid scrambling for deadlines so that you can enjoy the high points of Uni life.

It’s the most wonderful time of the year (if you take away the mountains of summatives due for Week 12). It can be extremely difficult with Christmas approaching to stay on top of all the work that is set as well as maintain a social life. Even at this point in the year, I have had to regrettably turn down a night out in favour of hunching over my desk under a harsh desk light, frantically tapping away at my keyboard keys at 1:08am. This can feel unfair at first, especially if your friends seem to be less busy than you but it is all down to managing priorities.

-start with staying out of your bedroom to work.

The steps to take to ensure you can continue to enjoy your nights out (without the concern of your academic work haunting you while you’re in the middle of Fever room 2) start with staying out of your bedroom to work. Personally, I am a serial napper and will go and lie in my bed at any given moment, meaning that I’m often working late into the evenings. To combat this if you’re like me, perhaps choose to work in a comfortable silence with your housemates in the kitchen or in the library. If you’re currently thinking “but what if I fall asleep in the library instead?” you won’t. The embarrassment of being featured on Overheard while deep in slumber will have anyone alert and working diligently.

Aside from this, sometimes the most productive thing you can do is rest.

Aside from this, sometimes the most productive thing you can do is rest. Working on something for eight hours a day will leave you stressed and likely with a headache. Stop for a while and gossip with your housemates in the kitchen with some good biscuits. I promise with a fresh set of eyes and a stable blood sugar, you will get the work done.

Finally, don’t feel guilty about enjoying yourself. The quality of your work is reflected in your mental state so being cooped up inside will do nothing to help you gain the equilibrium you need. It’s called a work-life “balance” for a reason. It’s important to recognise that, as University students, our priority should be focused on our degree but as young people, we also need the social life to keep ourselves calm; the memories are just as important as the pending first-class degree