Balancing Student Life and a Professional Career: My Journey
Hey there, fabulous readers!
Thanks for the overwhelming response to my first post! Let’s dive into my next blog. Today, I’m here to talk about one of the toughest times of my life. Do you know how to balance student life and work life in Germany? Well, I do. Spoiler alert: It’s really, really difficult. Some might even withdraw from this challenging situation, but I’m here to share my journey and tips on how I managed to make it work.
Let’s be honest, pursuing a master’s degree while working as a software engineer is incredibly stressful. Sometimes, I can’t even believe how I’m managing to stay afloat. It’s my mental stability and focus that keep me going. Stress, anxiety, headaches, tiredness, lack of sleep — sometimes I feel like I’m losing my mind! All these things are constant companions on this journey.
When I came to Germany, I joined a product-based startup. It was my first time managing work and studies together, and I found it incredibly challenging. I lost concentration on my studies and wasn’t happy in my first semester because I couldn’t get good grades due to the imbalance. Eventually, I resigned from the job to relieve the mental pressure and focus on my studies.
Then I realized that I needed more structure in my life to improve my time management, study habits, and overall discipline. Over the past year, I have developed some interesting (and funny) habits that have made a huge impact on my life. The book “Atomic Habits” deserves much of the credit, and I highly recommend it to anyone looking to build consistent habits in their life.
Finally, let me share how I’ve managed to boost my productivity. By implementing new habits and strategies, I’ve added a refreshing and productive touch to my daily routine.
A Day in My Life
Morning:
I’m a morning person(well, I try to be). I wake up at 6:30 AM after battling with my snooze button. Then I make breakfast and coffee (without sugar, 🙂). I always try to make a healthy breakfast that gives me the energy to start my work for the day. My go-to breakfast items these days are guacamole and boiled eggs. I’ve cut down on sugary items, which is funny because I used to be an ice cream fanatic.
Mid-Morning:
After breakfast, I become a teacher. I started private tutoring for some students at my university (they’re actually my close friends) who need help with programming languages. It’s like trying to teach cats to swim, but I love it! I really enjoy this activity because it also helps me grow my knowledge in coding. I prepare for the sessions the night before.
Work Mode:
After my thoughtful class session, I switch from teacher to developer, always glued to my laptop. Sometimes, I think my laptop knows me better than I know myself. I mostly work from home, but I try to go to the office once a week. My days are filled with meetings and catch-ups, which I really enjoy. As Chacko Mash from the movie Spadikam said, “The vibration of the universe itself is in Mathematics.” Similarly, I believe “the rhythm of today’s world is in the hands of techies”. We always need to stay updated because AI is booming and impacting all fields. For techies, learning is a game that never ends.
Lunch Break:
When it’s time for lunch, I rule the kitchen like a chef. I can’t eat peacefully without rice, but I don’t eat much of it. I usually have veggies, meat or fish, curd, and a small portion of rice. The portion of rice on my plate is small compared to the other dishes. I’m really fast at cooking, which means multitasking. I can cook 2–3 items at the same time. I usually cook for two days, so today’s food also covers tomorrow, giving me a break from cooking the next day.
Afternoon:
After lunch, I dive back into work, wrapping up my tasks and reviewing my achievements for the day. I also make a to-do list for tomorrow’s work. Once that’s done, I close my laptop and get ready for some active time (this time using my body, not my brain). I usually hit the gym four days a week, where I enjoy Zumba and body-core activities in the evenings. Sometimes, my roommate joins me, making it even more fun. On days when I can’t make it to the gym, I work out at home or take a walk in the nearby parks.
Evening:
After workouts, I make sure to squeeze in some self-care activities to keep myself balanced and energized. This often includes things like skincare routines, a relaxing bath, or simply enjoying a quiet cup of tea. I always stay in touch with my friends and family, which gives me the motivation to take on more activities. These moments are truly the highlight of my day. Afterward, I start working on university activities and assignments and prepare for the next day’s lecture.
Night:
Prayer is an important part of my life, grounding me amidst the chaos. I try to have dinner before 8 PM and watch an episode of an English series (recently, I’ve been watching “Lost”). I’ve always dreamed of keeping a diary to document my daily updates. I used to keep one in 7th and 8th grade, and if I read it now, I would laugh till I cried. These days, before sleep, I try to read a page of an English novel and set my alarm for the next day.
This is my typical weekday routine. Weekends, however, are a completely different story. They’re filled with traveling, exploring, and enjoying my time with friends. But that’s an adventure for another post.
Stay tuned for more stories and tips!
Catch you later,
Greshma
