A new academic year, or perhaps an entirely new field of study, always marks the beginning of something new. Could this also be the beginning of a more balanced everyday life?
Sometimes, without even noticing it, a new beginning brings with it the hope and expectation that our future selves will be productive, successful, and efficient. This can feel inspiring and energizing, but it can also be quite demanding and create pressure.
Sometimes, a new beginning is not as energizing as we might hope. Our resources may already be limited, or something unexpected may arise and consume them. Our present selves often must balance many different demands, from everyday responsibilities to various setbacks and challenges.
On top of all this, we have a tendency to place performance pressures and expectations on ourselves. We want good grades, ideal routines, and success in our studies. So how can we anticipate these challenges and find balance in our daily lives?
Let's try a small exercise together. Find a pen and a piece of paper. Grip the pen as tightly as you can, press it firmly against the paper, and write your name. Quite difficult and exhausting, isn't it?
Now let's move to the opposite extreme. Hold the pen as lightly as possible and write your name again. How did that feel? Shake out your hand for a moment, then hold the pen in a way that feels natural to you and write once more. Notice what it feels like to hold it with just the right amount of force. Pay attention to the sense of flow that emerges.
What if we applied this same exercise to student life?
Just as with writing, using too much force, in the form of overachieving, taking on too much, or setting excessively high standards, consumes a great deal of energy without necessarily producing a significantly better result. On the other hand, if we make no effort at all, very little gets done. In other words, everyday life requires a suitable amount of effort and work in order to make progress.
What if, this academic year, your goal was to find this kind of smooth flow in your daily life? A balance in how you use your energy across different areas of life. What might that look like for you when it comes to studying and balancing studies with the rest of your life?
Consider which things are most important to you this autumn and where you want to invest your time. What goals do you set for yourself? Try to find a level that is not too high. That way, there is room for other things, and stress and performance pressures remain manageable. At the same time, the goal should not be so low that nothing moves forward.
Last but not least, how will you make sure there is time for recreation, rest, and recovery? A healthy level of challenge is created not only by what we do, but also by allowing enough space for recovery and for simply doing nothing. Wishing everyone a balanced autumn!
