Common factors to balance with studying
Socializing
Employment
Volunteering
Commuting
Holidays
Exercise
Caring for a dependent or family member
Hobbies/interests
Time commitment expectations of students
Students aren’t expected to study 24 hours a day, 7 days a week; the expectation for a full-time university student is 30-35 hours of studying a week including lecture, labs, seminars
Expectations and importance of study-life balance
Time commitment
Rest
Plan
Importance of rest for study-life balance
Imp for brain to process new info; body needs exercise and sleep to keep it in proper state of alertness to focus on learning effectively
The impact of over studying on well being and mental health
-Neg impact on relationships w family, friends and partners
-Interfere with ability to fulfil other non-study related obligations or interests
-Increase likelihood of unhealthy behaviours
Which unhealthy behaviours are likely increased with over-studying?
Smoking
Excessive alcohol or drugs use
Unhealthy eating
Feelings of loneliness and isolation
Anxiety/depressive symptoms
Increase risk of hopelessness
Self-harm
Benefits of achieving a healthy study-life balance
Health and absences
Efficiency
Engagement
Focus and concentration
Academic success
Health and absences
Reduce worry and stress, trying to do too many things at once feeds worry and rumination
Efficiency
Having a healthy balance improves efficiency of work during the allotted study hours
Engagement
Supports greater connection to and interest in courses, lectures and relationships
Focus and concentration
Facilitates attention on the task at hand and staying present (mindfulness)
Academic success
Improves learning efficiency and productivity which is needed for academic success
Wheel of life
Academic/professional
Finances
Health
Family and friends
Relationships/love
Personal growth
Recreation, culture and hobbies
Physical environment
Self reflection questions to ask yourself when reflecting on your wheel of life
1.Balance: how would like it to look?
2.Overload: what areas are you spending too much time on?
3.Time on self and others
4.Changes to make
Connectedness
A personal sense of belonging
What can personally meaningful connections be made on the basis of?
World view
Environment
Values
Relationships
Work
Recreational interests
Examples of types of connections
Other people
The natural world
Meaningful values
Meaningful work
Culture and heritage
Types of connections- other people
Family, friends, peers, colleagues
Types of connections- the natural world
All of the animals, plants and other things existing in nature and not made or caused by people, ie. Gardening, hiking, sightseeing
Types of connections- meaningful values
Faith-based activities, activities that reflect importance with family and or personal values
Types of connections- meaningful work
Work, hobbies, volunteering, passion projects
Types of connections- culture and heritage
Celebrating traditions, cultural holidays, relating to people and places from your past
Benefits of social connectedness
Improve quality of life
Boost mental health
Increased life expectancy
Decrease risk of suicide
Build more inclusive learning activities
Benefits of social connectedness- improve quality of life
Social connection is an imp determinant of health and mental health