Welcome to MBKU! You’re about to embark on an exciting but demanding journey.
While it’s easy to get caught up in the whirlwind of grad school life, achieving a healthy balance between your academic responsibilities and personal well-being is crucial for long-term success and happiness. Here are a few of my tips to maintain a school-life balance.
1. Establish a Routine
Creating a structured daily and weekly schedule can significantly improve your time management. It’s important to learn to prioritize tasks based on deadlines and importance, allowing for breaks and time for self-care to avoid burnout.
2. Set Realistic Goals
Set achievable short-term and long-term goals to stay motivated and track your progress. Break down larger tasks into smaller, manageable steps to prevent yourself from feeling overwhelmed. Make sure to celebrate your achievements and milestones. Whether it’s passing a proficiency or receiving positive feedback from a professor, take time to acknowledge your hard work and dedication.
3. Manage Stress Effectively
Stress is inevitable with the rigor of optometry school, but learning to manage it can prevent burnout. Make sure to allocate time for relaxation, exercise, hobbies, and socializing with friends and family. Also, don’t forget to get enough sleep! Optometry school can be intense, but neglecting self-care can lead to burnout and prevent you from performing your best.
4. Stay Organized & Embrace Flexibility
Keep track of exams, proficiencies, and assignments using a planner or digital calendar. I personally like to put all exam and proficiency dates in my calendar at the beginning of the quarter. This way I can plan ahead based on which weeks are busier or lighter and how much time I will need to devote to studying each week.
Recognize that achieving balance is an ongoing process and be flexible to change in your schedule. Learn from setbacks and use them as opportunities for growth and improvement
5. Practice Effective Study Techniques
As fall quarter will be your lightest coursework load, I recommend taking the time to experiment and find studying techniques that work best for you. Optimize your study sessions by using effective techniques such as active recall, spaced repetition, and find a study environment that suits your learning style.
While it’s important to do your best in school, give yourself time to relax and enjoy life outside of academics if you feel burnt out. By managing your time and planning ahead, you will set yourself up for success in optometry school. Ultimately, you will be prepared for the future so don’t forget to enjoy the journey!