10 Tips on Work-Study-Life Balance in 2024 as an Adult

The concept of work-life balance is widely discussed, emphasizing the importance of carving out time for personal well-being apart from working 24/7. 

However, for students, the equation becomes more complex. Not only do they juggle part-time work and personal life, but also the relentless pursuit of academic achievement. 

That’s why, I’m here to share my —

 10 Tips on Work-Study-Life Balance in 2024 as an Adult 

In this framework:

Work refers to professional commitments, such as a part-time job, internship, or freelance work.

Study refers to academic success, including attending classes, completing assignments, and preparing for exams.

Life refers to personal space we carve out for ourselves, such as hobbies, socializing with loved ones, and activities that bring us joy and a sense of self.

Feel overwhelmed right? Especially balancing and focusing on these three aspects of our life together.

But don’t worry, you can still achieve a healthy work-study-life balance, even in the whirlwind of 2024. So, here are the 10 tips to turn you into a master of your time and a champion of your well-being:

1. Plan Like a Boss:

Plan your week!

It's as simple as that. It doesn't matter if you like to plan in a notebook or if you like to plan digitally. What matters is that you have a space to plan and dump all your ideas and thoughts from your brain.

The section I recommend you to have in your planner is —

Have a note-taking section to brain-dump your tasks, commitments, ideas, and thoughts.

Have a calendar section to see your monthly planning and commitment at one glance.

Have a monthly, weekly, and daily to-do list section to manage your time and know what needs to be done in work, study, and life.

Have a goal section to set your yearly and monthly goals about what you want to achieve in your work, study, and life.

Monthly goal examples —

I want to get a promotion as a _____ in the next six months. ( work goal )

I want to score 80/100 on my _____ exam. ( study goal )

I want to drink _____ glass of water every day. ( life goal )

Here are some apps for you to get started now digitally —

Google Calendar | Google Tasks | Google Keep

2. Must Prioritize:

Not all tasks are created equal.

Learn to differentiate between urgent deadlines and important but less time-sensitive ones. Tackle high-priority tasks first thing after waking up, and delegate or reschedule less critical ones for later.

For example —

Let’s say, you're writing a research paper due tomorrow evening. Your phone keeps buzzing with notifications from a friend about joining a surprise party for another friend. You also have a half-finished batch of cookies in the oven that are about to burn.

What do you do first?

Here's where prioritizing comes in. First, you have to save the cookies, because they'll burn if you don't take them out soon. ( urgent ) Then, you will focus on finishing the research paper, because it's due tomorrow and a major grade depends on it. ( important ) Lastly, you will decide if you really want to go to the surprise party or maybe you can offer to meet up another time. ( less important )

The best method to do this is by doing the Eisenhower Matrix layout —

3. Become a Time Management Ninja:

Now that you’ve done planning and prioritizing. It’s now time to actually manage your time.

You can either do time-tracking or just be aware of the time you’re using for each of the tasks by using techniques like the Pomodoro Technique —

For Time-Tracking, Watch This Video From The Bliss Bean to learn more —

Here are some Pomodoro Technique apps for you to get started —

Forest ( mobile app ) | Focus Plant ( mobile app ) | Pomofocus ( web )

4. Say "No":

This might be the hardest but most important tip.

It's okay to politely decline extra commitments that overload your schedule.

Imagine this scenario —

You have an important assignment to submit by tomorrow. So, you decide to focus on doing that particular assignment, but then suddenly, your friend is calling you and asking for you to help out with his/her assignment.

What will you do?

If it only requires 10 to 15 minutes to help out with his/her assignment, then go ahead but if you know it will take more than that. Then, just politely say:

“ Sorry, but I really can’t help right now. ” 

Remember, protecting your time for what truly matters is essential for your overall well-being so that you won’t be stressed out at the last minute. Because at the end of the day, your well-being is the most important.

5. Have Some Healthy Habits:

You can't pour from an empty cup!

Make sure you're getting enough sleep, eating nutritious meals that fuel your brain, and exercising regularly. A healthy body and mind are key to tackling work, studies, and life in general.

Here are some healthy habits for you to get started —

Stay hydrated | Eat a healthy diet | Get enough sleep | Exercise regularly | Mindfulness practice | Learn something new every day | Limit screen time | Do self-care

6. Don't Forget the Breaks!

Avoid burnout by scheduling breaks throughout your day. You can simply take a walk outside, stretch, listen to some music, or do whatever helps you recharge and refocus on the break time.

A quick mental break can make a world of difference in your productivity.

For example —

In the Pomodoro Technique, you have to set your timer for 25 minutes and focus on a single task until the timer rings. When your session ends, mark off one Pomodoro and record what you completed. Then, enjoy a five-minute break by going for a walk or just move around a bit.

Remember, taking breaks is important!

7. Batch Similar Tasks:

Ever feel like you're constantly context-switching?

Then, group similar tasks together to optimize your workflow. This could involve answering all emails at once or studying similar subjects in one session. Batching minimizes distractions and helps you get into a productive flow.

For example —

Project Batching - if you're working on a report, dedicate a block of time to gather all the information you need, and then another block to write the report itself.

Errand Batching - schedule all your grocery shopping and errands on the same day, minimizing unnecessary trips.

Chores Batching - dedicate one day to cleaning all the floors, and another day to dusting and wiping down surfaces.

For more details check out this video —

Remember, batching similar tasks makes life easy and super productive.

8. Travel Like a Champ:

Every minute counts, right?

So, don't waste your daily traveling time! Use audiobooks to study a new language or catch up on lectures or even listen to podcasts for inspiration and personal development tips when you’re traveling.

Here are some audiobooks and podcast apps for you to get started —

Spotify | Audible | Google Play Books & Audiobooks

9. Delegate and Don't Be Shy:

Don't be afraid to ask for help!

Don’t hesitate to delegate chores at home, or consider hiring help with tasks that drain your time. Because sharing the load lightens the burden and frees you up to focus on what matters the most.

I know it’s hard to ask for help especially when you consider yourself as an independent, but it’s okay to ask for help sometimes just to keep you sane.

Remember, asking for help doesn't diminish your independence. It demonstrates self-awareness and a willingness to prioritize your well-being. It allows you to focus your energy on the tasks that matter most to you while ensuring other things get done too.

10. Celebrate Your Wins!

Acknowledge your accomplishments and it doesn’t matter if the achievements are big or small.

For example —

Did you finish that research paper? Treat yourself to a coffee break!

Taking the time to acknowledge your accomplishments, no matter how seemingly insignificant, is a powerful way to boost your motivation and keep yourself moving forward.

Remember, celebrating your wins is an investment in your long-term success. It keeps you motivated, focused, and feeling good about your journey towards your goals!

To conclude, remember that a healthy balance is about progress, not perfection. There will be days that you will lean more towards work or studies, but aim for consistency over time. By following these tips, you can successfully navigate the demands of work, studies, and a fulfilling personal life and balance it all like a pro in 2024!

Now go forth and conquer that to-do list, but remember to take a deep breath and enjoy the ride.

That’s it for now, thank you!