Finding a Balance: School, Work, Social Life

Hi everyone! Sarah here to talk about how to balance school, work, and a social life.  

Throughout my undergrad and graduate experiences, people often ask me, “When do you have time to do everything?” I always wish I had a simple answer, but I don’t. There aren’t “extra hours in the day”. It’s about finding a comfortable balance and learning to enjoy the small moments in between. None of that happened overnight. It’s a collection of trial-and-error moments, wins, fails, and a whole lot of figuring it out as I go. When I first started college, I really wished someone had given me a list of practical ways to find balance beyond the basic “just make a schedule.” So, here’s the list I wish I had, and the one I hope helps you too. 

Tips for Finding Balance

1. Prioritize school. Education is my main priority right now, and grad school can be very demanding. Give it the attention it deserves by protecting study and project time outside of work and social plans. When your schedule already includes dedicated academic hours, an exam week or last-minute presentation doesn’t throw your whole week off. 

2. Set actual dates for friend hangouts. “Let’s hang out soon” is a sweet sentiment, but it rarely turns into actual plans. Postgrad, everyone’s schedules look completely different, so adapting to each other’s new lifestyles is key. My friend group now plans about a month out so people can adjust work and school around it. We even set our next hangout while we’re still together to make it easier. Your friends are your community, so keep them close. 

3. Have Reset Sundays. Laundry, groceries, cleaning, meal prep, catching up on school and whatever helps you start the week with a clean slate. My roommate and I started “Reset Sundays” freshman year and stuck with them all the way through senior year. Keeping your space organized makes your life feel more organized, especially when you share a room or apartment. And honestly? Reset Sundays keep you productive and let you have a slight school procrastination moment that still feels useful. 

4. Make space for rest (yes, including naps). You don’t earn rest; you need it. My friends joke that if I’m not answering the phone, I’m asleep… which is usually true. Rest is one of my non-negotiables because I’m not helpful to anyone (including myself) when I’m exhausted. If I don’t intentionally rest, my body will force it anyway, so a planned cat nap is the better option. 

5. Be honest with employers about your workload. 

Supervisors are far more understanding when you communicate early instead of waiting until you’re overwhelmed. Working as an RA and Program Manager in undergrad and now as a GA and Server, I’ve learned how to balance multiple jobs while choosing workplaces that understand student life. When I started serving over the summer, I immediately told my manager my fall schedule, and my limit of two shifts per week. My GA position covers my tuition, so that’s where I’m less flexible, but even then, my supervisor understands when I need extra time for school.  

6. Ground yourself in gratitude to find joy. When life feels like a lot at once, pause and remind yourself where you are, what you’ve accomplished, and what you’re grateful for. It sounds simple, but it truly helps. Yes, I’m stressed and yes, my schedule is packed, but I’m also incredibly lucky to be in a grad program, working jobs that help me grow, surrounded by supportive friends and family. 

I hope that this list is helpful and remember, YOU GOT THIS! 

xoxo,  

Sarah (¼ Grad Girls)