Being a university student can sometimes feel like juggling fifty balls at once.

But there is calm within the chaos, and we’re here to help you find it. Thriving both academically and socially is more than achievable. The challenging part is finding that happy medium between the two and not letting one overshadow the other.

So, what’s the student wellbeing recipe?

A generous splash of self-discipline, an eyeballed dash of dedication, and a whole lot of caffeine.

If you’re a university student who struggles to find the sweet spot between work and play, this blog is for you.

Here are our top tips for striking a better balance between studies and social life as a student.

Get comfortable with saying “no”

We’re dishing out some tough love with this one, so here goes…

You can’t do everything all the time. Some things have to come first. And for students who want to achieve the best grades possible, your degree must be top of the list.

Of course, it’s only natural to feel the pangs of FOMO after seeing your friends out together having fun without you. But success doesn’t come without sacrifice.

You’ll have to miss out on a few movie nights. You won’t be at every flatmate dinner. And yes, you will have to skip a night out or two. Unfortunately, that’s just part of adult life.

That said, don’t forget to remind yourself there will be plenty of opportunities to go out and enjoy yourself later. When your essays are handed in and the time comes to let your hair down (which it will!), your downtime will feel so much more deserved. Worried about upsetting your friends by saying no to plans? Don’t be. They’ll understand. Heck, they probably need to start saying no, too.

Don’t feel bad about prioritising your degree and academic success. It’s the reason you came to university in the first place.

If your focus starts to slip, it might be time to give yourself a gentle reality check.

Be realistic with your timing

We know, 24 hours in a day never feels like enough. But there’s a secret to cracking the chronology code…

Allocate enough time to nurture different areas of your life.

Sounds simple enough, doesn’t it? Sadly, it’s way harder than it seems. And it’s a skill that’s often learnt the hard way.

Start by blocking out enough time for studying. Do you have an essay due tomorrow morning that you haven’t started yet? An hour probably isn’t going to cut it. A whole day sounds more realistic. Maybe you just need to rewatch a 60-minute lecture to make more detailed notes? A couple of hours in the morning should do the trick.

By planning out study time, you’ll be able to see what you’re left with and work around that. Look at your to-do list for what it really is. Be realistic about what you can achieve in the time you’ve given yourself. It’s always better to overestimate than underestimate. It may seem obvious, but the earlier you start working on coursework, essays, or exam prep, the better. Your future self will want to kiss you.

Top tip: If you struggle with time blindness, set timers or alarms to keep yourself accountable.

Invest in a daily planner you’ll actually use

We’ve all been gifted notebooks at Christmas that ended up shoved in a drawer and forgotten about. But here’s your sign to dust them off.

Mapping out your day in a daily planner is a great way to stay organised, especially for visual learners. It helps you keep on top of things when that inevitable feeling of overwhelm starts to creep in. You’ll also be able to clearly see when you can slot in social time and allocate days for friends (and hangovers).

Having a diary to hold you accountable also prevents you from double-booking yourself. Plus, the dopamine rush of ticking things off a list is unbeatable. So why not give yourself that joy every day?

An organised mind = a happier, more productive mind.

Use a screen-time limiting app

Look, we’re not here to preach at you from our high horses. We’re only human too. The temptation to mindlessly check Instagram or TikTok can be hard to resist, especially during times of high stress and fatigue.

But doomscrolling is every student’s worst enemy. It eats up hours that could be spent getting things done.

If you struggle to concentrate when your phone is nearby, downloading a screen-time reducing app might be a game-changer. Opal, ScreenZen, and OneSec are all great, student-approved options. You’ll be given a set window of access time for each app, and once you surpass it, you’ll be locked out for a chosen period. This makes you more intentional with your screen time, and you’ll actually think twice before refreshing your FYP.

Don’t want to download even more apps? Try keeping your phone in another room while you’re working. You’d be surprised how simply removing the physical stimulus can help you stay focused.

Mix study and social time together

Who said locking in has to be a lonely venture?

Sometimes, being around other hard-working students can help you get and stay motivated.

Group trips to libraries, cafés, and communal study spots are a great way to stay engaged both academically and socially. You may even find it helpful to bounce ideas around with your friends and get their perspectives. And if you fancy getting out of the campus bubble, there’s plenty of study spots to choose from in the city centre.

Want to book out a private study room? Head over to your MyAccount and see what spots are available.

Don’t let your passions slip

When the busyness of university life really reaches its peak, it’s easy to let your hobbies take a hit. Too easy, in fact.

Nurturing the things that make you you is one of the best ways to avoid student burnout.

Whether that’s staying active in your student society, going to Monday pub quiz, or grabbing your weekly Sunday coffee, it’s important to keep the flames of your passions burning even through the smog of exam season.

Plus, a lot of hobby time doubles up as social time, so you’re killing two birds with one stone!

If we can leave you with anything, let it be this:

You can’t pour from an empty cup.

While we know first-hand how hectic student life can get, your wellbeing should always remain a priority. Academic success is a big part of the student experience. But it’s one of many. Enjoying your independence, making friends, and discovering yourself are just as important.