Balancing School & Travel

When Laura and I first got accepted to USW together the first thing we planned out was where we wanted to travel but when we arrived we realized there many not be enough time to see everything we want as we probably should set aside some time to study. The thought of seeing new places, meeting new friends and experiencing new cultures first hand was much more exciting to think about then studying. It is one of the best times in your life to travel while studying abroad because you are having your cake and eating it too! At first it can be challenging to figure out how to balance your school work with travel because for probably the first time in your life you do not have your parent’s guidance to decide when play time is over. With the world at your fingertips it can seem completely unreasonable to sit in the library and study. In this blog post I will give some tips on how to earn grades you’re proud of but still travel to your dream places!

Tip #1 – Plan, Plan & Plan

Before you skip over this tip because the idea of planning is absolutely not necessary for you and you are well organized without a planner, I was exactly the same before I started studying abroad, but balancing my plans with travel and studying became too overwhelming without writing down a schedule. Since my money was devoted to saving for groceries and travelling I did not buy a planner, but wrote each task with a checklist, I wanted to complete for the week in my phone. Writing down each practical task I wanted to complete for the week helped me complete all of my assignments on time while still going away for one weekend out of the month. Instead of procrastinating your assignments (like majority of us do) try to complete the assignment a week before it’s due to give yourself time to proof read, print and then plan your next getaway!

Tip #2 – Plan ‘Must-See’ Trips First

While studying abroad you get the opportunity to visit countries with important history and different cultures but this can mean different things to different people and it’s important to not get swept up in the pretty pictures but to visit places that will interest/relax you. It’s important to plan your trips in advance because hostel and flight prices get extremely pricey the longer you wait to book. Booking a spontaneous trip can be exciting but can also break the bank.

Tip #3 – Find your Groove

Are you a foodie? Do you love playing sports or going to the gym? Do you like to party? (Me too). Finding your day-to-day activities while studying abroad can help you balance how much time you devote to studying and how much you travel. While travelling every weekend and studying during the week sounds like the best plan, it’s not ideal. If you enjoy food there are many great Italian restaurants, British comfort food restaurants or even American restaurants that are around, if you just need a taste of home. The local grocery stores such as Marks & Spencer’s, Tesco’s and Sainsbury’s offer great options for ‘eating for one’, making it easier to not waste food and save money. There are many gyms within walking distance of halls, making it easy to stay in shape and reduce your stress levels with school. Also, there are many pubs and clubs that offer student-drinking deals, which can help you stay relaxed and have fun! Studying and travelling can both be exhausting so it is important to balance your lifestyle with your favourite day-to-day activities.

Tip #4 – R&R

Last but not least, rest and relaxation. We work hard and play hard while studying abroad but that doesn’t mean there isn’t anytime for rest. Without giving yourself time to rest from school and travel it is easy to get overwhelmed or become sick because you are just too exhausted. When I first started studying abroad, the first mistake I made was dropping my routine and just making time for the fun times and school work but by the end of the first month I got sick because I did not give myself enough time to adjust to rest. The most important things to prioritize before studying and travelling is, sleeping for 7-8 hours a night, getting some exercise (30 min. walk a day), and eating healthy 80% of the time. These necessities will make your mind and body healthy and happy and keep you going through studying and travelling. Make the most of your time abroad by putting your health needs before first and then it’s up to you whether travelling or studying comes second!

Happy studying, and happy travelling!

-Jenna