The balancing act: Academics, work and play

College life is often romanticized as a carefree time of exploration and self-discovery. But for many students, the reality is a constant struggle to maintain a delicate balance between academics, work, and personal life. This balancing act can feel like a high-wire walk, with the potential for a nasty fall if one misstep occurs. 

Many college students struggle to manage their lives, part-time jobs, and academic responsibilities while navigating the demands of university life. This was however not the case for a survey conducted among students at the beginning of the study period where most of them reported feeling pressured by the workload they received and were willing to compromise their sleep in a bid to complete assignments and tests on time. 

One of the students from the School of Communication, Universiti Sains Malaysia remarked, “The workload feels crushing right from the start. I barely have time to breathe, let alone sleep.” This sentiment was echoed by many students, with a majority reporting feeling pressured by the sheer volume of assignments and tests. Many students confessed to being willing to sacrifice sleep in a bid to meet deadlines, highlighting the intense pressure they face.

The consequences of this relentless push are far-reaching and a constant balancing act can result in negative impacts such as emotional exhaustion, demotivation, and lack of positive emotions together with a sense of alienation from numerous facets of college life. 

Students experiencing chronic stress can suffer from emotional exhaustion, demotivation, and a general lack of enjoyment in their college experience. As Dr. Sarah Jones, Head of the Rheumatology Research Laboratory within the Department of Medicine, School of Clinical Sciences at Monash Health. a leading expert in student mental health, succinctly puts it, “Students who constantly prioritize academics over everything else are at risk of burnout. This can manifest as emotional exhaustion, cynicism, and a feeling of reduced accomplishment.”

These high levels of stress can lead to physical health issues such as headaches, high blood pressure, heart problems, diabetes, skin conditions, asthma, and arthritis. A hectic schedule also causes insufficient sleep, which can impair cognitive function, weaken the immune system, and increase the risk of chronic conditions. Furthermore, limited time for proper daily routine results in poor eating habits, such as skipping meals or opting for unhealthy, convenient foods. Students might also have digestive issues as they will not take time to munch their food thoroughly.

Dr. Jones goes on to emphasize the importance of a holistic approach to student well-being, stating, “Students need to carve out time for activities they enjoy, whether it’s socializing with friends, pursuing hobbies, or simply getting enough sleep. These seemingly small things can make a world of difference in their mental and emotional well-being.”

This is because constantly being busy can contribute to mental health issues such as feelings of depression and increased anxiety. Not only that, chronic overworking can lead to burnout, lashing out due to irritation, and negative character development. A busy schedule can also impair memory, concentration, and decision-making abilities due to cognitive overload.

The juggling act doesn’t stop there. Many students juggle not just academics and work, but also co-curricular activities like clubs, sports, or volunteering. These activities can be enriching and build valuable skills, but they can also add to the ever-growing list of demands on a student’s time and energy.

Multitasking also affects work performance as it can lead to inefficiency and mistakes while trying to be productive due to the lack of focus. Long hours and high stress can reduce job satisfaction and increase the likelihood of self-sabotaging.

Managing competing demands also causes a dent in personal growth as they will not have leisure time for hobbies and developing their interests which are important for relaxation and personal fulfillment. They are also unable to continuously learn and tend to neglect self-improvement due to time constraints.

Beyond the academic pressure, financial burdens add another layer of complexity to the student’s tightrope walk. A significant portion of students work part-time jobs to help cover tuition, living expenses, and other costs. While work can provide valuable financial independence and teach important skills like time management and responsibility, it can also become a significant time commitment, further squeezing the already limited hours available for studies and personal life.

Most students are faced with several issues, they have to excel in their studies, mostly struggling to pay their bills, working part-time to make a living, and engaging in other co-curricular activities that are significant to their personal development.

The relentless focus on academics and work can lead to a feeling of isolation and missed opportunities for social connection. College is a time for building friendships, exploring new interests, and developing a strong support network. Students who prioritize work and academics over social interaction may miss out on these crucial experiences. Studies have shown that strong social connections are essential for student’s mental and emotional well-being, highlighting the importance of finding a balance that allows for both academic achievement and social engagement.

Many students fall into the trap of an “all-or-nothing” mentality. They feel pressured to excel academically, secure a good job after graduation, and maintain a vibrant social life, all while feeling guilty if they don’t achieve perfection in every area. This unrealistic expectation can lead to overwhelming stress and feelings of inadequacy.

So, how can students navigate this complex landscape and find the elusive balance they crave? By tackling this issue, they will be able to improve not only their quality of life but also their overview and feelings about the future. They have to ensure they are mindful of their routine and avoid mundane and repetitive activities.

It’s important to acknowledge that the challenges students face aren’t solely a matter of individual time management. Universities also play a role in fostering a healthy and supportive environment. This includes offering flexible scheduling options for classes to accommodate students who work, providing affordable on-campus housing to reduce financial burdens, and promoting mental health resources to help students cope with stress.Students will be able to improve their mental and physical health while continuously improving their intellect and maintaining healthy relationships.

This report will delve deeper into the challenges students face and explore practical strategies they can employ and aims to be a valuable resource for students, empowering them to become more well-rounded individuals who can thrive in all aspects of college life by highlighting the importance of self-care, we hope to equip students with the tools they need to transform the “balancing act” into a confident stride towards a fulfilling and successful college experience.

Students can explore ways and tools that can help them find the balance they seek and set them up for success addressing topics such as effective time management techniques and creating a schedule that allows for academic success, personal fulfillment, and a healthy dose of fun. Readers will be able to learn how to effectively plan schedules and personal development as a grounding tool to overcome the challenges of student life. 

Effective time management techniques, such as prioritizing tasks and setting realistic goals, can help manage a busy schedule more efficiently. They have to incorporate self-care practices like regular exercise, healthy eating, and adequate sleep to mitigate the negative impacts of a busy schedule.

Non-stop student life

In university, a typical workload includes studying for tests, doing assignments, and working on other projects. This involves attending more than one class, reviewing notes, taking quizzes, and working with classmates on projects where they do research and write reports. It is a busy timetable that necessitates good time management and collaboration abilities.

However, college students are more than just keen on schoolwork. Many students also work part-time, usually because they need the money or want more experience. It's hard to get a job these days, so having part-time work experience in a field related to their major can help them stand out.

Phun Jia Yi, a student at Universiti Malaysia Sarawak (Unimas), said that she chose to work part-time to help her family with money because they are having a hard time paying for things like tuition and daily expenses. She wants to make things easier for her family financially by getting a part-time job. This decision allows her to contribute to her expenses while pursuing her studies.

Phun Jia Yi, student of Unimas works part time by teaching children during free time. Photo by Chai Xin Jie

“Working part-time on the weekends or days I have no class is tiring, but it helps me prepare for my future career. Even though I'm tired, it's a chance to learn skills to help me in my career,” she said.

Even though both university and work might be stressful, students must engage in social activities for their mental health and well-being. Participating in events, clubs or hanging out with friends can help students relax and feel part of a group. These activities give students a break from the stress of education and help students become more emotionally strong.

Besides, joining social activities helps students improve their leadership and communication skills and also assists students in developing interpersonal skills and creating memorable experiences. This is also a part of learning joy that might reduce student pressure.

As a President of the MMU Basketball Club Melaka (MMUBC), Calvin Kong Chun Fung, said that he has weeks when he does not get any sleep. There were always issues between position, class, and attempting to maintain a social life. 

Calvin mentioned that being the president can lead to learning a lot, which is fun. Still, when many things need to be faced at once, it will lead to a lot of confusion, especially in communication. If it is not handled well, it will lead to emotional problems.

Calvin Kong Chun Fung plays hard to lead the basketball team in a competition.  Source: MMU Basketball Club Melaka (MMUBC) Facebook

However, finding an ideal balance between school and work takes work. Many students say that all of these commitments make them feel stressed. Time management became an impassable obstacle, and they had to choose between academics and work. Joining social activities can be a medicine to relieve stress and build connections with others; on the other hand, involving in too many social events will have a negative impact.

Effective time management techniques, such as prioritizing tasks and setting realistic goals, can help manage a busy schedule more efficiently. They have to incorporate self-care practices like regular exercise, healthy eating, and adequate sleep to mitigate the negative impacts of a busy schedule.

Students also have to learn to delegate tasks at work and home to reduce their burden and have time to practice mindfulness, meditation, and deep breathing exercises. This can help reduce stress and improve mental well-being. They have to learn to say no and setting clear boundaries can prevent overcommitment and reduce stress.

Success stories: How they do it

For many university students, balancing academics, work, and social life can seem impossible. However, for Anuar Hanizan, a graduate of Universiti Teknologi MARA (UiTM)'s biochemical engineering program and the current COO of Gaia Greentech & Gaia Pebbles, this juggling act led to success. We will delve into Anuar's story, highlighting how he managed the challenges of part-time work and academic pursuits during the unique and difficult times of the 2020 COVID-19 pandemic.

Anuar Hanizan with his lecturer in their symposium about the industries . Source: Anuar Hanizan

Anuar's journey began during his time as a student at UiTM. Understanding the importance of gaining practical experience alongside his studies, he took on a part-time job. Balancing coursework with work responsibilities required careful time management and strong discipline. Anuar shares his strategies for success, highlighting techniques for prioritizing tasks, creating effective schedules, and maintaining open communication with both his employers and professors.

The emergence of the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020 disrupted Anuar's well-honed routine. The shift to online learning introduced new challenges, requiring adjustments to his study habits and work schedule. Anuar shares how he tackled these unforeseen obstacles, focusing on his approach to staying focused in a remote learning environment, effective communication methods in a virtual workspace, and the time management changes he had to implement.

Despite the unprecedented circumstances, Anuar persevered. He attributes his success to the valuable skills he developed during his university years, such as time management, adaptability and effective communication. This section delves into the specific skills Anuar honed through his experiences and how they have benefitted him in his current role as COO at Gaia Greentech & Gaia Pebbles. Anuar also shares his aspirations for the future, outlining his career goals and offering advice for current students juggling similar challenges.

According to Adlin Aina Binti Jamaludin, Languages, Literacies, and Translation 2, she is still working on managing her time. However, for now, she sacrifices her sleep to complete her tasks such as her assignments and extracurricular activities before the due date.

She also mentioned that she is able to prioritize her academics no matter how busy she is as it is the most important key to success for her. 

“I think every student has a different workload based on their involvement in activities. I spend roughly 5 hours a day on my academics and 5 hours for event management activities," Adlin said.

Adlin also acknowledged that social activities are important to protect an individual’s mental well-being as everyone has their own struggles. She overcame feeling burned out by reaching out to her friends and spending quality time with her family.

“I believe it is important for us to understand our commitments and avoid overworking ourselves. However, we should always prioritize group assignments and ensure we are not a burden to others”, she added.

Plenty of Malaysian university students have to balance part-time jobs with academic commitments daily. With the rising expense of living and the growing demand for employment opportunities, students are finding new strategies for managing their time as well as their productivity. 

According to Mohammad Azim Karnizza, School Of Technology Industry 2, student at Universiti Sains Malaysia, manages a part-time job at a KFC Sungai Dua to cover his bills. He underlined the importance of communication with his employer.

"Communication with my manager and supervisor is important and they understand that my studies come first, especially during the exam period."

Azim explained that he also relies on the Pomodoro Technique to improve his study efficiency. His experience highlights the need for flexible work arrangements and effective time management techniques.

For many university students, juggling their studies, part-time jobs and social lives is a major problem. The special report stories highlight the various pressures that students encounter, and how they affect their sleep, mental health, and sense of belonging to campus life. Students like Muhammad Falih Irsyad, Phun Jia Yi, Lee Yong Yie, Anuar Hanizan, Adlin Aina Binti Jamaludin, and Mohammad Azim Karnizza show that success is possible with the right tactics, despite these obstacles. 

In summary, the capacity to balance academics, employment, and personal life is dependent on adaptability, disciplined time management, and supportive systems. These students' stories serve as important models for those facing similar issues, offering practical advice on striking a harmonic balance in academic life.