{"id":348,"date":"2019-11-22T14:14:49","date_gmt":"2019-11-22T14:14:49","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/mgt.dept.shef.ac.uk\/postgraduate\/?p=348"},"modified":"2019-11-26T15:20:25","modified_gmt":"2019-11-26T15:20:25","slug":"work-life-balance","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/mgt.dept.shef.ac.uk\/postgraduate\/work-life-balance\/","title":{"rendered":"Keeping a good work\/life balance"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"\"By Vicky Xian, MSc Occupational Psychology<\/em><\/p>\n

You may think that a masters course means long hours in the library, lack of sleep, and no social life. You may think \u2018there\u2019s no chance I\u2019ll be able to work part-time on top of all that<\/em>!\u2019 But with the costs of a masters degree and no maintenance loan, it becomes an even harder decision.<\/p>\n

Yes, a masters requires a lot more time and energy compared to an undergraduate degree. But, it doesn\u2019t almost mean you have to compromise having a life outside of study! There is a lot of financial support for masters students, which you can find here.<\/a><\/p>\n

But, what if you do get a part time job? And what about scheduling time to see your friends? Well, I\u2019ve managed to keep all these balanced. Here\u2019s what I\u2019ve learnt and some suggestions:<\/p>\n

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  1. Limit your working hours<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

    If you do have a part time job, with a masters, keep hours on or below 10 hours<\/strong> a week. What I\u2019ve found so great is that the Students’ Union offer a wide range of different job roles, which are specifically catered for students. This means the hours are not contracted, and if you have a particularly stressful week, you don\u2019t have to work! Earning money is important, but remember studies should come first.<\/p>\n

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    1. Keep a diary<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

      Keeping a diary, where you write all your important deadlines, social interactions, and shifts in the coming week is very important. It helps you visualise what you\u2019ve got on, and gives you a chance to plan your free time. Here\u2019s an example of my normal weekly spread:<\/p>\n

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      1. Schedule in some down-time<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

        Since being at university, I\u2019ve found delegating alone time in the week really important for my mental health. Having so much on can really put a strain on someone\u2019s happiness. This doesn\u2019t have to be so serious, half an hour after dinner watching your favourite YouTuber can have a massive positive impact on stress. It\u2019s important that you choose to do whatever works for you, whether it’s baking, watching a film or listening to some music!<\/p>\n

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        1. Socialise on a budget<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

          Guilt can really creep in when I want to see some friends, as it takes time away from studies, and usually I spend more money than I mean to. I\u2019ve come to realise that you can have fun, but not spend too much. Cooking a home meal with a group of friends can be very cheap, and it\u2019s enjoyable! Bar One, located in the Students’ Union, is one of the cheapest bars in Sheffield. Sometimes their burgers are 2-for-1, which makes it even cheaper.<\/p>\n

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          1. Get extra support when you need it<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

            There has been times where I\u2019ve felt like it\u2019s all too much, and I get really frustrated with how much I have on. If you\u2019re really struggling, and you have similar feelings, please don\u2019t keep it in. The university offers a wide range of mental health support and information for students:<\/p>\n