Since September, I have been working at a hotel resturant in Newcastle’s city centre which was challenging at first, as I had never worked in a restaurant before, let alone at univertity. But I will say one thing: organisation is key in maintaining a healthy work-life balance. It can feel stressful and overwhelming when you have a million and one things to do, and the last thing you want to do is go to work and put a smile on your face to some strangers who are expecting good service. So, organising your university schedule around work can make things feel somewhat manageable. Personally, I love using Google Calendar; it makes me feel less stressed when I know what I'm facing in the week ahead.
organisation is key in maintaining a healthy work-life balance.
Prioritising your mental health is also key when it comes to managing work and uni; making time for yourself will enable you to switch off from both. Whether you're going for a solo walk or catching up with friends, you don’t need to feel guilty about it. The same goes when it comes to making sure your employers are accommodating of your uni schedule and aren’t overworking you. Don’t get me wrong, it's about give and take with your work, but make sure university is your key focus and ensure your employer knows that it is not selfish.
Ultimately, what allows me to have a balanced work-university life is organising myself at the start of every week to relieve any overwhelming feelings, whilst also managing my time to fit in doing things that I enjoy and relaxes me.