As part of National Work Life Week, Hope’s Student Development & Wellbeing team has shared several easy tips on how to get a good work-life balance, particularly now that studying has moved online and we all have to adapt to this new way of learning.

Some days it can be difficult to find the motivation, but hopefully, these hacks will help you find your rhythm.

1. Create a (new) routine

In days gone by there was a whole routine you’d need to go through before those early morning lectures: Get up, get washed, get dressed, eat breakfast, give yourself enough time to get from your accommodation to the uni. But now, with online teaching, things look pretty different.

Even though you no longer have to physically leave your room to access your lectures, still maintaining that good daily routine helps focus the mind and gets you in the zone, ready to study.

We’re not suggesting you have to suit up for your lectures, but at least maybe consider getting out of those pyjamas and into some clean clothes. You will feel a lot better for it.

2. Have a designated study area

Whether it’s the kitchen table or the desk in your bedroom, create an area to study that is a designated study zone, separate from where you would normally relax and unwind.

Try to reserve your bed for sleeping and avoid studying in it – it can be all too easy to take a nap! Most importantly, keep your study space clean and organised so you can put more time into studying – and less trying to find a pen that works.

3. Get a good night’s sleep

Students of all ages should get at least eight hours of sleep every night. It’s the best way to ensure that the brain is refreshed and ready to process all of the information learned during the day.

It may be tempting to stay up late to cram, but it’s more beneficial to get enough rest.

A full night’s sleep is particularly important the night before a test or exam – a good night’s sleep makes you more alert and improves memory for test material, leading to better results.

4. Eat properly

Don’t forget to eat! Your body (and your brain) needs fuel to help stay in top form. Plus, it’s difficult to focus when your stomach is growling.

Have healthy snacks while you study, but make sure they’re prepared in advance so you don’t spend too much time away from your work.

More time away means more opportunity to be distracted!

5. Use timetables/planners effectively

Creating a timetable helps organise your time, schedules your breaks, and is especially useful when you have multiple subject topics to study.

Write your schedule down so you can remember it and refer to it often. Set reasonable limits for how much time you spend studying each day, and break your study session up into manageable chunks of time.