How important is it to find a balance between work life and personal life?
How important is it to find a balance between work life and personal life?
As an IB student drowning in course work deadlines, a hurricane of exams coming my way and the pressure of interviews for potential places at university, I can honestly say that school life can be stressful.
BUT DON’T PANIC, EVERYONE! THERE IS HOPE!
The solution is simple! You have to be prepared for all these exams and you have to meet all those deadlines, so you better lock yourself up in your room or, even better, camp in the library.
WRONG!
WRONG!
WRONG!
Working to the point where information doesn’t sound coherent anymore can be destructive to your physical and psychological health; it can also lead to a fatal outcome for those feared exams. Instead of getting extremely stressed out and overdoing all that work, plan your life better, both on an academic and on a personal level.
Academically, we all work differently. Maybe watching YouTube videos works for you, while others might learn by simply glancing at their textbook. Due to all different types of memory and subjects we are preparing for, the revision process is highly unlikely to be identical for two people. It is up to every single one of us to address this topic and find the ways that work best for us.
No one should forget that there is still life outside of school, a very important life, actually. And this is the life that we all tend to neglect because of the stress of work - this actually has a massive impact on our academic studies that we strive so hard to achieve the perfect score in. A fatigued body that is deprived of sleep and/or food or a mind that doesn’t find joy in everyday life will not lead to good results. And this is what I will address today. Please find below my top 5 tips and highlights for a balance between the work you have to do and your own self:
1. An old Latin saying goes ‘A healthy body in a healthy mind’ which we should remember at all times. Intellectual work is like a workout, meaning it consumes energy. A LOT OF IT. Therefore, remember to always have the right energy income by having a varied and healthy diet. It is very important to stay hydrated as well.
2. SLEEP. SLEEP. SLEEP. And I am not talking about a nap at 4.00am when you fall asleep with your head on your desk. I am talking about proper sleep, at least 8 hours every night. I can’t address this aspect enough. When we sleep, our bodies recharge, they balance out hormones and metabolic processes, the brain takes a rest. Oh, yes, and information is actually embedded in your memory during your sleep. Talk about help for exams now. * wink *
3. Active rest is a magnificent concept most people don’t know about or are scared of. It pretty much means doing little tasks other than school work that would detach your mind from that stress. Going for a walk, going to buy something from the supermarket, watering the flowers in the house are all great ideas that can give you a quick recharge when you need it the most.
4. Working out is viewed as a strenuous activity that leaves you sore and with no energy and that couldn’t be further from the truth. Low intensity workouts are good for your body and your brain. Working out releases endorphins which, in simple terms, give you a boost of energy and make you feel happier and more ‘alive’. Now this is what we all want when we are revising!
5. Even though I know how tempting it is to want to be alone with your own responsibilities and problems, friends and family can prove to be a true help in moments of stress and overload. There are people around you who care and are willing to listen to you and support you as much as they can. Moreover, your peers are probably going through the same things as you and it is a great idea for you to share your experiences, learn from each other and eventually you will all succeed together.
Good luck with everything you have to do, everyone! We will all get there in the end! * warmly hugs all the people who laminated their notes so tears can roll off *