Tips to Balance Your Personal Life and Student Success

Article Date | 15 June, 2023

   

By Klaudia Kovacs, Student Support Coordinator at LSST Elephant and Castle

   

Being an active higher education student is an exciting and vibrant part of life packed with dreams and ambition. However, student life is not free of challenges; not only can the anxiety of learning and achieving high grades pressure an individual, but sometimes personal life can interfere with academic success too. Students are not only ‘students’ per se, often times they are parents, partners, carers and employees as well. With so many hats, it is important to plan and balance personal and academic life as much as possible in order to achieve the best results – and LSST’s Student Support is here to help you with such things:

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Tips to prepare for the academic year:

Attending your course is an essential part of your academic journey because, without attendance, you are missing out on the teaching and information needed for you to complete assignments. Attending also means being part of the community, making lifelong friendships with your peers, and enjoying events and parties that our students organise. As we often say – showing up is the first rule of success. However, there are various things that may stop you from being able to attend your course, which you can prepare for early on to avoid any issues in the future:

• • Ensure your finances are in place

It is crucial to ensure that your student finance is in place by the start of the academic year. We advise students to apply for student finance 4-6 months before each academic year. To ensure everything is correct with the application, always hand your Entitlement Letter to Student Support to check the details in order to avoid significant delays in receiving your finance.

• • Budgeting

Create a budget to track your expenses and prioritise your spending. Identify areas where you can cut costs, such as opting for second-hand textbooks or finding affordable housing options. Proper budgeting will help you make the most of your resources.

• • Disability and learning differences support

Disabilities, long-term health conditions, mental health conditions and learning differences can be challenging to manage during your academic journey. Apply for Disabled Student’s Allowance with the right medical evidence in order to be granted extra time on assignments and extra support. Depending on your condition, you may be able to get free taxi services, specialist equipment or one-to-one tutoring. Contact your Student Support department to help you with any enquiries about this matter.

• • Ensure childcare is in place (if applicable)

Should you need childcare services, ensure you organise them ahead of the academic year in order to avoid delays during your studies. You may be able to apply for Childcare Grant through student finance which is another reason why it is essential to complete the application in time.

Alternatively, establish a support network: Reach out to family, friends, or other parents in similar situations. Sharing responsibilities and seeking assistance can lighten the load and create a supportive environment.

• • Ensure work is arranged around your timetable

Inform your employer that you are becoming a full-time student and arrange your rota around your course timetable. Ensuring work does not interfere with your studies is key to success.

• • Time management

Plan your schedule meticulously, allocating specific time slots for studying, attending classes, going to work and spending quality time with your children. Effective time management ensures you can fulfil your academic obligations while also nurturing your parental role.

• • Prioritise self-care

In times of stress, self-care becomes even more important. Ensure you are taking care of your physical and mental well-being by getting enough sleep, engaging in relaxation techniques, and seeking support from the counselling services available.

 

           

Managing Situations Beyond Your Control

Life is unpredictable, and unforeseen circumstances can disrupt even the most carefully planned routines. When faced with such situations, it is crucial to approach them with resilience and adaptability and to follow the correct procedure in order to avoid falling behind on your course. Sudden illnesses, hospitalisation, housing situations, domestic violence or bereavement can be some of the examples that are out of control in a student’s life. Many times, when these things happen, students’ attendance and engagement drop without any notice or communication. This can end in failure and termination, therefore it is important to notify us, so we can provide the right support.

What you need to do if you find yourself in this situation:

• • Contact the Student Support department to help you authorise absences and support you to be granted extra time on your assignments if needed in the form of extensions or mitigations. Make sure to collect all supporting evidence of your circumstances as it is needed for all procedures.

• • We have a Wellbeing Team who can speak to you about difficulties.

• • Contact Academic Support for help with your assignments.

• • Contact your Personal Academic Tutor who can help you set goals for your academic journey.

• • If attendance is not possible (per mitigating circumstances), there may be self-study options from home using the lecture slides and recordings on LSST Connect.

• • Embrace flexibility and resilience. Understand that setbacks are part of life’s journey. Learn to adapt and adjust your plans accordingly. Develop a resilient mindset, focusing on finding creative solutions and maintaining a positive outlook despite obstacles.

 

To summarise, managing personal and student life at LSST is not free of challenges, particularly for individuals with parenting responsibilities, financial constraints or disabilities. By implementing effective time management, seeking support networks, and being resourceful, it is possible to strike a balance between personal obligations and academic pursuits. Remember, situations beyond our control require flexibility and resilience. By utilising the available resources and maintaining a positive mindset, you can navigate these challenges successfully and make the most of your LSST student journey.

To find out more about LSST’s Student Services visit: www.lsst.ac/support-and-facilities/student-support