The Iglu Guide | Blog

How to balance your studies and social life at university

July 19, 2024

Finding the right balance between your social life and your studies is an age-old conundrum that has been plaguing students for years. Many believe that university life has to be about one or the other, and that it’s impossible to try and achieve both. But the truth is they are both equally important to having a successful and fulfilling student experience. It’s all about striking a healthy balance, setting boundaries and managing distractions. Here’s some strategies to help you get it right.

1. Organise your time

Effective time management is probably the single most important way you can keep your life in check as a student. It helps you stay on top of your study needs, meet deadlines, find time to be with friends, and remain stress-free in the process. Most importantly, it helps you stay organised, safe in the knowledge that you are completely on top of your schedule and well in control. The reality of university life is that you will always have assignments, exams and ongoing projects to juggle, with no tangible end point. But it’s equally as important to recognise the need to socialise and mix with others along the way. Running an efficient schedule is the perfect way to do both.

Have a daily routine – know what you’re doing and when you’re doing it
Allocate specific time blocks for studying and socialising, accounting for domestic tasks and part time work if you have a job
Use time management tools such as Trello
Create a task list and prioritise your workload
Break it down into manageable chunks – this avoids the temptation to cram it all into the night before
Make sure your schedule is achievable and don’t be afraid to flexible when you need to be
Use goal setting to keep you on track and accountable

2. Study smart

Maximise all study sessions by studying smarter, not longer. Finding the learning techniques that work for you is key to getting the most out of your academic efforts, and this might mean using a combination of strategies.

Have clear objectives for each session, and focus on what you can achieve in that time
Use productivity apps and revision tools to consolidate and reinforce information. Making mind maps and creating online quizzes is great for underpinning new knowledge
Shut out any distractions such as environmental noise, social media alerts or phone notifications. Use internet-blocking apps that physically prevent you from visiting specific websites or social media apps, and pin a note to your door that informs others you are in quiet study mode
Create a clutter-free study space in a designated area that you can consistently use. This helps your brain recognise it as a place of work, as opposed to a place of distractions
Avoid any type of procrastination by recognising the signs
Try out some sessions working in a study group – this is a great way to combine social and study in one convenient slot
Utilise the academic support made available through your university’s student services department

Even the keenest of students needs to break up the study sessions with some social interactions. Spending time with friends and away from the books reduces stress levels, and helps contribute to a balanced lifestyle. Bonding over shared experiences – even exam stress – fosters a sense of belonging and community, and it is this that strengthens relationships for the long term. The university experience is not limited to academics, and nor should it be. It’s important to recognise when you need a break, and use that time to engage in activities that you enjoy – whether that’s through clubs and societies, hanging out with friends or playing sport. Non-academic pursuits are the ideal way to enrich your uni experience, widen your cultural perspective and even make new friends. They’re a natural stressbuster and a great way to rejuvenate your energies in stressful periods. Just remember not to take on too many arrangements and burn the candle at both ends. If that happens, there are never any winners.

4. Focus on self-care

University life can get pretty stressful at times, with academic pressures, deadlines and personal responsibilities often piling in all at the same time. Self-care plays a critical role in maintaining your overall wellbeing, but it is often lost in the mix when the choice boils down to either studying, or socialising. Incorporating some simple practises into your everyday life can help reduce stress and anxiety which in turn will help you function more efficiently – giving you more energy for study and more enthusiasm for social activities.

Getting enough sleep is crucial to your mental and physical wellbeing. The benefits of sleep are well-documented, and students are recommended not to drop below seven hours a night
Recognising when you’re stressed and getting ahead of your triggers is key to managing your personal wellbeing. Have a toolkit of strategies ready for when you need them such as mindfulness practises and special hobbies
Nourish your body by maintaining a healthy diet. Avoid processed and sugary foods, and focus on giving your body the food it needs to maximise your resources – which will give you more energy to manage your lifestyle

5. Stay healthy

Start your time at university with good intentions and aim to maintain a balanced lifestyle from the outset. Staying active as a student is not about suddenly becoming a gym junkie. It’s about balancing all your activities so that other areas of your life feel the benefit. Incorporating regular exercise into your daily routine takes minimal effort and can have a big knock-on effect. It can be as simple as getting off the bus a stop early, or taking the stairs instead of the lift. Finding little ways to keep yourself moving can have a big impact on your physical and emotional wellbeing. Firstly, it will energise your day and give you a more positive outlook on any academic tasks ahead of you. Secondly, it sharpens your mind for when you hit the books, helping you study more efficiently – which in turn frees up more time for you to be sociable. That’s a win-win win!

6. Set boundaries

If you’re aiming for a balanced life, you have to be prepared to say No sometimes. Setting boundaries is always difficult, particularly if you have just started out at uni and are keen to make new friends. But once those first few weeks have passed and you have settled into more of a routine, it’s time to identify those distractions and know when to stay well clear. It might be a chatty study buddy, a late-night owl who needs company, or a night out that looks like it could take a different direction. Knowing when to retreat or politely refuse is an important skill that you should not be afraid to use as it will set you up well for the future. And once you have tried it for the first time, it becomes another self-protection strategy to use when you’re tired, overworked or simply need to rest.