Regardless of if this is your first time getting postsecondary training or if you are returning, it can be an overwhelming experience. A class can be incredibly time-consuming, let alone the multiple courses you will take at a time. As a result, being able to balance your school and personal life can become difficult.
It may seem exhausting to complete all your schoolwork and still spend time with your friends and family. Thankfully, Boardman Training Center is here to help you balance school and personal life, so here are 10 tips to help you acclimate to your new life.
1.) Make A Schedule
The first thing that we recommend you do is make your own schedule. A schedule allows you to organize your time better so that you have all important information in what central place. There are two main steps that you need to consider when you create your schedule.
Fill In Your Schedule
This is the part where you put the information into your schedule. We suggest that you put all the due dates for any assignments and exams, any doctor appointments, your work schedule, and any other commitments you have. You can do this with a physical planner that you can get at any store that sells office supplies, or you can use an online planner like Google Calendar.
However, the way you structure your schedule is up to you. Maybe you want to color code everything to make it easier to see what you have to do for each class or task. At the end of the day, the most imperative thing is that you do whatever will help you stay organized. Your schedule can only help you the most when you routinely check and follow it.
Follow Your Schedule
Although creating your schedule is vital, staying with your schedule is even more crucial. Make sure that you update your schedule every time new things come up so that you stay updated. Also, consult your schedule to find the best way to spend your time. For example, one week, you may have a lot of assignments, exams, and other activities, but the week before is mostly empty. After looking at your schedule, you notice this. As a result, you decide it is better to try to complete as many assignments as possible due next week.
2.) Break Apart Large Tasks
This was something we somewhat hinted at in our first tip. You should try to break large tasks into several smaller ones. For example, a research paper can seem like a daunting task. However, if you break it down into smaller sections, it suddenly seems much more manageable. Instead of doing all the research and writing in one week, you can do each of those tasks across a few weeks. One week can be used to complete the research, the next week can be used to create your outline or rough draft, and the third and final week is when you finalize your paper and turn it in. What was once a considerable task is now three smaller tasks.
3.) Take Some Breaks
Our next tip is to remember the importance of purposeful breaks. Although the thought of taking a break with so many deadlines approaching may seem counterproductive, purposeful breaks – like reading a book or taking a walk – can help recharge you. Freshly reenergized, you can now get back to work at a more productive level.
4.) Respect Your Boundaries
Setting boundaries for yourself is one of the most vital steps in striking a balance between your personal life and school. Do not mistake boundaries for being able not to complete everything you’re obligated to do. However, it does mean you can say no if someone tries to get you to do something additional, especially during a busy week.
5.) Ask For Help
Similarly to respecting your boundaries, it is important to make sure that you do not attempt to use asking for help as a way out. It is perfectly acceptable to have to ask for help from your friends, peers, and instructors, but that does not mean it is something you should overuse. Before asking someone, it is imperative that you put in a serious effort to try to solve your problem. Only then should you ask for help.
6.) Set SMART Goals
Goal-setting is vital in getting the maximum amount of value out of your schedule. Simply having deadlines is only part of it. Being able to meet the deadlines and complete everything is the other part. That is where goal setting comes in. Strong goals can help motivate and keep you on track. We recommend using the SMART goal method, and our sister school, East Ohio, has a blog about creating SMART goals.
7.) Organize Your Stuff
Although having solid goals and a schedule is vital, it will not be nearly as effective if you are not organized. For example, you could have a plan for everything, but because you are disorganized, you end up missing the due date for an assignment and have to turn it in late. That is why staying organized is crucial.
8.) Effective Time Management
Effective time management can make it possible for you to commit the most amount of time to your schoolwork and your personal life. Because of this, it is essential to your school and personal life balance. Unless you are taking a purposeful break, make sure to maximize all the time you have available. Ten minutes between classes may not seem like a lot to work on homework, but it adds up across the weeks. BTC is here with a few additional tips to help you better manage your time.
9.) Minimize Procrastination
We understand that this is a lot easier said than done, but it is crucial not to procrastinate as much as possible in order to strike the right balance. It starts to add up, even if it is only for a few minutes here and there. Also, it can break you from a rhythm you had set for yourself.
10.) Practice Self Care
The single most important tip we can offer is to ensure you are taking care of yourself. Don’t be malnourished or sleep-deprived while you are trying to meet all the deadlines. Outside the obvious healthcare concerns, being tired and/or hungry can make you less efficient, which will lead to you spending more time on your schoolwork. This is why taking purposeful breaks and walking outside or ensuring that you eat your meals is vital.
Find Your Balance At Boardman Training Center!
If you’re looking for a school that can offer a personalized learning experience while allowing you to balance school and personal life, Boardman Training Center may be for you. Get started today by calling (330)-729-9244 or Requesting Information.