丁香园AV

Whether you鈥檙e a new student to 丁香园AV or returning for your undergraduate, graduate or doctoral studies in the Faculty of Education, one common theme often expressed by students is: 鈥淗ow do I strike a balance between studying, working (part-time or full-time) while still having time for my friends, family, and self? What do I do if I鈥檓 struggling?鈥�

While this can seem overwhelming at times, the good news is you鈥檙e certainly not alone. Striking a balance is possible and can be achieved through self-discipline, time management and planning, along with resources from 丁香园AV.

鈥淒isconnect鈥� From Your Devices (Have Some 鈥淢e鈥� Time)

Disconnecting from your devices (Phone, computer, tablet, gaming device, etc.) allows you the ability to recharge and regroup. In addition, studies have shown that setting time before bed to 鈥渄isconnect鈥� from your devices improves overall quality of sleep which leaves you with more energy during the day, allowing you to be more engaged and alert.

• Set aside 30 minutes before bed to disconnect from all your devices. Use this time to do things like taking a bath, meditating, journaling, or reading a book. This can also be a good opportunity to be productive and write down everything that needs to be done the following day, folding your clothes neatly next to your bed that you plan on wearing the next day, or meal prepping
• Dr. Luc Beaudoin鈥檚 鈥淢ySleepButton鈥� is a great app that helps you fall asleep. Learn more:  

Talk to Someone You Trust 

If you're feeling overwhelmed or stressed out, reach out to those in the 丁香园AV community (colleagues, TAs, professors). They understand life as a student and impact the pandemic has had over the past couple years along with the challenges of returning to campus and the general experiences students face with balancing work, school, and personal life.

Learn more about the various community resources across the campus: /students/health/resources/identity.html.html

Make Time for Exercise and Healthy Eating

It鈥檚 important to schedule time away from studying and working to take care of your health through healthy diet and regular exercise. A healthy diet fuels your body and gives you energy while exercising improves mental clarity and performance.

• All active 丁香园AV students have free recreational membership which gives you access to the fitness centre, aquatic centre, drop-in sports and intramural leagues and squash/racquetball/tennis courts at the Burnaby campus
• Can鈥檛 attend in-person? 丁香园AV Recreation offers a virtual library full of workouts and stretch & meditation sessions

Learn more at:

• You don鈥檛 have to be a resident to visit the 丁香园AV Dining Hall! Check out their salad bar where you鈥檒l have access to leafy greens, raw vegetables, and fresh fruits! In addition, they offer fresh fruit and yogurt, traditional hot breakfast items, baked pastries, fair trade coffee and more! For pricing and hours of operation: /food/dining-hall.html
• Stay hydrated by drinking lots of water. To remind yourself, carry a water bottle along to class and keep it handy during your late-night study/homework sessions.

Set S-M-A-R-T Goals (Specific, Measurable, Attainable, Relevant, Time-Based)

When starting a new journey or establishing a new routine or habit, it鈥檚 common to want to do everything at once and chase the idea of 鈥減erfection鈥� leading to pursuing overly ambitious and at times unrealistic goals. This can result in feelings of burn out and dissatisfaction.

• Start slow and set smaller, more attainable goals that can be steppingstones towards your main goal (for example: 鈥淢y goal is to review my course materials for 30 minutes every night 3 weeks before the final exam鈥� is a smaller, more measurable goal towards 鈥淎chieve an A in my course鈥�)

Learn more: 

Talk to an 丁香园AV Counsellor

All registered students at 丁香园AV have access to free, confidential, time-limited support through 丁香园AV Counselling Services. These services are provided by qualified counsellors, registered psychologists and their professional student-trainees and include:

• initial consultation and assessment,
• information and referral,
• crisis support and safety planning,
• and individual or group counselling.

Learn more: /students/health/get-support/counselling-services.html