Study & Social Life Add Work?
Prioritise and Plan Ahead
Time management is a crucial skill for any PhD student. Make a weekly schedule that allocates specific time blocks for your research, classes, and social activities. Prioritise your academic responsibilities while also setting aside dedicated time for social engagements. Effective planning helps prevent last-minute rushes and reduces stress, allowing you to engage in both realms without compromising either.
Set Realistic Goals
It’s essential to set achievable goals for both your academic and social pursuits. Establish short-term and long-term objectives for your research and studies, and similarly, outline goals for maintaining a healthy social life. Realistic goals prevent burnout and create a sense of accomplishment, ensuring you enjoy your academic journey without neglecting personal connections.
Embrace the Power of Networking
Your academic and social lives need not be mutually exclusive. Participate in conferences, seminars, and workshops not only for academic growth but also to connect with fellow researchers and students. Networking can lead to both professional collaborations and friendships that enrich your overall experience.
Efficient Work Habits
Efficiency in your work habits can provide you with more time for social activities. Set specific work hours, avoid multitasking, and eliminate distractions during those hours. When you complete tasks efficiently, you’ll have more flexibility to engage in social interactions without compromising your research quality.
Engage in Group Activities
Look for group study sessions or research groups that align with your interests. Engaging in collaborative activities allows you to work on your academic goals while also interacting with peers. These interactions provide a balance between focused academic discussions and the camaraderie of shared experiences.
Learn to Say No
While it’s important to engage in social activities, it’s equally vital to recognise your limits. Politely decline invitations when you need to focus on a crucial research deadline or an exam. Learning to say no when necessary, will help you maintain your academic standards while still participating in enjoyable social events.
Utilise Breaks Wisely
Breaks are an integral part of maintaining a balance between academics and social life. Use them to relax, rejuvenate, and engage in brief social interactions. Whether it’s a short coffee break with a friend or a quick chat in between tasks, these moments can help you recharge and boost your overall productivity.
Incorporate Self-Care
Balancing academic and social life also requires taking care of your physical and mental well-being. Engage in regular exercise, practice mindfulness, and ensure you get enough sleep. A healthy mind and body contribute to both your academic success and your ability to enjoy social interactions.
Flexibility is Key
Recognise that your schedule might need adjustments from time to time. Unexpected academic demands or social opportunities may arise. Embrace flexibility and adaptability, allowing yourself to seize exciting moments while managing your commitments effectively.
Reflect and Adjust
Regularly assess your academic progress and social engagement. Are you meeting your goals in both areas? Are you feeling fulfilled and balanced? If not, don’t hesitate to adjust your approach. Reflecting on your journey and being open to change can help you fine-tune your balance over time
Managing money and having fun in the UK
If you’re anything like me, being an international student in the UK can be an exciting yet challenging experience. Studying abroad is a thrilling adventure – relocating to a new country, meeting people from all over the world, and choosing the perfect course and university. But let’s be real: managing finances is a major concern.
It can quickly feel overwhelming and stressful between tuition fees, accommodation, groceries, and travel expenses. The good news is, with the right approach, you can not only make ends meet but also save money and live comfortably in the UK.
When I moved to Cambridge, I really had no idea how to spend my money in the best way, so I had to get creative. As an international student, I made a bucket list of places to visit in the UK, but all within a budget.
I have looked for places to visit for free and find ways to be resourceful and still enjoy myself. After a few months, I’ve picked up some handy money-saving tricks that have made my time in Cambridge fun and affordable
Take advantage of student discounts
One of the benefits of being a student in the UK is access to student discounts. Always ask if a business offers student discounts when shopping or dining out. You might be surprised by how often you can save money just by showing your student ID.
Prepare food at home
If you want to save money – start by preparing most of your meals at home – it will bring your costs down immediately. Cooking in batches saves time, when you don’t have time to cook every day it’s a great way to make sure that you have meals ready when you need them and it’s also really cost effective. However, that doesn’t mean you have to eliminate the fun of dining out or grabbing a coffee with friends.
Making the most of your studies
consider myself very lucky to have secured a place at MSc Applied Wildlife Conservation – this course has an incredibly interesting programme with diverse and engaging modules, hands-on practical work, plenty of field trips, and encouraging supportive tutors.
Studying here is full of amazing opportunities, from weekly research seminars to overseas field trips and the possibility of obtaining certificates and licenses valuable for future careers.
Dive deeper into your subject
There are many interesting events happening throughout the year – science festivals, research conferences, jobs and careers fairs – all designed to broaden your horizons, build experience, and offer advice for future employment.
They are not confined to ARU – students are encouraged to join various activities beyond the university, such as participating in major UK conferences and festivals or joining local trusts and societies.
Thanks to my course tutor’s guidance, I was able to take part in the Student Conference on Conservation Science, and join the Cambridgeshire Mammal Group, which gave me the chance to attend their workshops and in-field harvest mice surveys.
Do take the chance to attend the School of Life Sciences’ weekly research seminars (either in person or online), which feature a wide range of guest speakers from around the world. Many of these talks raise emerging questions and burning issues in conservation and often encourage participation.
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Week after week, I was in the aisles, knowing my friends were out in bars or clubs while I was cleaning and closing the shop. The lowest point was my best friend’s birthday: I’d spent a week trying to find cover for my Friday night shift (I was unsuccessful), and by the time I got out of work and into town I couldn’t find them. Just try phoning your friends to meet up after they’ve had a few – it’s impossible.
I thought it would get easier when I left school. But after starting as a journalism student last September, I found I was balancing even more commitments. My only time to do assignments was during the week, after a long day at college. I’d studied hard to get on to the course and worked hard to keep my job. My main source of social interaction was the elderly regulars coming in to get their milk and bread.
Figures show I wasn’t the only one. A 2015 survey by NUS Services on behalf of Endsleigh found that 77% of students work to fund their studies, with 63% having a part-time job and a third working during the term. It also found that 14% of students held a full-time job during term, holidays or both. It’s a vicious cycle: student debt is piling up, yet many students aren’t attending classes because they must work just to get by at university.
I started to worry that my job was affecting my personal life – never mind my studies – and even my mental health.
The more I thought about it, the more I realised I had to make a decision: study, work or play? I couldn’t do all three.
Shop smart
Before hitting the grocery store, I make sure to make a list of what I need in order to avoid impromptu purchases that can throw my budget off track, but the goal is to plan.
Buy everything which is necessary and what makes you happy but try to shop from the supermarkets like Aldi, Lidl, or Asda for cheaper groceries.
Look for deals as well, many supermarkets offer discounts like reduced prices towards the end of the day or during special promotions.
Days when you don’t feel like cooking but want to save on the cost of ‘eating out’ – then go for meal deals offered by grocery stores at a very reasonable price.
Consider getting a part-time job
International students can work up to 20 hours per week during term-time and full-time during holidays and there is lot of job opportunities available outside and inside the campus.
Many international students in the UK take on part-time work to supplement their income. If you’re eligible, working part-time can help cover living expenses and provide valuable experience.
Be conscious of your energy consumption
If you’re in rented accommodation, save money on bills by being conscious and making sure none of your devices are left on standby, turning off lights when you’re not using them.
Stress of saving money
Yes, save money, but don’t sacrifice your happiness or experiences in the process. After all, these are the years that are going to shape you for the future, and they won’t come back. So, make the most of them!
Explore your other interests
Consider joining the University gym to explore its offers and discounts, or get involved with Students’ Union activities, from joining one (or more!) societies to attending online or on-campus events. Just check the Students Union’s what’s on? page and sign up for anything that catches your eye – from wall climbing to gardening, from painting to notebook-making workshops.
You can also take free, short co-curricular ARUCPD courses, which can enhance your CV and boost your employability. They are a great way to explore new subjects, like using AI or getting into social media marketing, and develop useful skills, such as project management.
Remember to look after yourself
So, my first piece of advice is to challenge yourself and take every opportunity to explore new horizons. But, perhaps controversially, my second piece of advice is this: don’t push yourself beyond what you can handle and always prioritise your wellbeing and mental health.
Assignments, exams, and deadlines can be intense and quite overwhelming, so adding more pressure to a busy schedule is not always a good idea. The course itself is very fulfilling and will benefit you even without any extras
Working while studying
Everyone thinks students spend their time partying and getting drunk. Not me: last semester, I spent every weekend stacking shelves.
It wasn’t really by choice. I was working weekend shifts in a supermarket to make ends meet. Before unit, I’d spent my A-levels trying to study in between shifts, at the same time as dealing with the distractions of being 18 and discovering alcohol.
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I took the difficult decision to quit my job. Not everyone has this option, which makes me relatively lucky. But my lack of income means it still isn’t easy. I must be more careful than ever with what I spend without my wages to fall back on. That said, I’m happier now – and I think it’s because I’m less stressed.
I don’t have to worry about getting to work on time and I no longer must panic over whether I’ll finish my assignments. My weekends are my own: I can socialise on the cheap, look for work experience, or just be lazy and stay in watching Friends.
But for some students, this simply isn’t an option. Michaela McCallion, who studies computer science and has a part-time job in a restaurant, says: “I just try to manage my time. I aim to get most of my university work done throughout the week and between shifts at work so I can have at least two days to socialise – although there are a lot of late nights due to assignment work and my job.
“My advice would be to not forget to take a break from both studying and working. You cannot focus on anything if you too are stressed out. Leave the room to relax, chat with friends, or even take a whole day off.”
The realities of student life have changed over recent years. Your time at university is meant to be the best of your life, we’re often told, and I’m doing my best to keep it that way. But financial pressures mean it’s far from carefree.
