Living at home while going to school can present obstacles. For many, balancing home life in addition to schoolwork can be challenging, but it is achievable! These tips will help you set boundaries, maintain healthy relationships, and manage your commute effectively to create a successful balance between school and home.
Have a Conversation
Setting boundaries is key to establishing a productive living environment. While discussing boundaries with your housemates may seem daunting, it is a necessary step. Small comments and gestures make it difficult to establish clear boundaries; while you may think you are being obvious with these nudges, a direct conversation can be the most effective way to communicate your needs. Worried about how to approach this conversation? Here are some tips to help you get started:
Practice the conversation in your head. Mentally rehearse what you want to say and anticipate different outcomes.
Stay on track. Keep the conversation focused and avoid prolonged explanations. Know your goals and stick to them.
Acknowledge emotions. Recognize that conversations, particularly those with power imbalances, can be emotionally charged. Instead of dismissing emotions, acknowledge them. Share where you are coming from and listen to others.
Assume good intentions. Sometimes comments can come across as belittling. While it is important to tune into how you feel, assuming good intentions can be a helpful way to avoid negative thoughts. Impacts do not always equal intentions, but the reverse is true as well. Keep that in mind if your conversation partner has an emotional reaction you didn’t intend.
Above all, remember that this is a mediation, not a debate. Though it may be difficult, keeping harmony during the conversation will ultimately help your living situation.
Seek the Positive in Relationships
Look for positivity or create opportunities for happiness in your relationships. If you’re living with family members, you may find that they want to spend more time with you than you’d like. It is okay to remind them that you are a student and have to attend and work on classes –but remember, it’s all about balance! Carve out times for work and leisure. On a free evening, try playing a game with your family. Here's a list of classic games you could play. Game night is a great way to bring a family together...as long as nobody loses their cool during charades.
Building and developing relationships with the people in your house will help you improve your living experience. Even if your living situation has remained the same for some time, attending school can introduce new dynamics, responsibilities, and pressures. Dedicate time to developing the positive aspects of your living relationships so that there is a foundation of trust when it’s time to navigate the inevitable challenges that come with being a student.
Seek Connections Outside the Home
You know what they say… give it the good ‘ol college try! Building outside connections is just as important and can make living at home feel like a world away. There are many ways you can connect with individuals both online and in person.
Online Connections: Consider using platforms such as Reddit, Discord, LinkedIn, or Facebook Groups to network and make connections. Connect with your institution to learn more about online campus resources available to students. Participate in online service projects or volunteer opportunities to build your resume and expand your network.
In-Person Connections: Creating in-person connections can help you feel more integrated into campus life. Ask the chatbot a question to learn more about organizations, clubs, or events you can join on campus. Form study groups with classmates or plan to grab coffee after class to feel a part of the community and stay connected. If you don’t live near campus, consider joining local fitness classes or community groups to stay healthy and meet new people in your area.
Balancing home, school, and a social life can be challenging, but making time for social activities or friends can help break up the week and give you the energy to tackle your other responsibilities! Set up a weekly movie night, dinner date, or errand run with people who aren’t your housemates. This will allow you to broaden your social circles and provide topics of conversation when you do return home!
Make the Best of Your Commute
Take advantage of this time! Whether you’re a student driving to class or taking public transportation, there are several ways to make your commute productive.
If you’re driving, get a jump start on schoolwork by listening to an online study guide. You can also start thinking about your to-do list for the day or the upcoming week. If you’re taking public transportation, use this time to review notes, start on assignments, catch up on readings, or check your student email.
Live in a busy area? Consider planning your course schedule around traffic. If traffic is typically heavy during certain times of the day, try to schedule classes to avoid those times and reduce the risk of running late. Or give yourself extra time to prepare.
It doesn’t need to be all work and no play. You can alternate between being productive and taking this time to free your mind. Heard of an interesting podcast but haven’t had a chance to listen yet? Your commute is a great time to catch up. Personal breaks are just as important as productive ones. Practicing mindfulness can help reduce stress and improve focus.
Develop a Schedule
Setting a schedule will help you share clear expectations with your housemates. If you are able to share the hours you are working versus the time you are free, it will be easier to communicate the boundaries you need. Remember that you are not the only one with a schedule to adhere to! Consider creating a house calendar (or virtually create a shared calendar). Allow your housemates to share their schedules, so that you can coordinate designated work times. While you are all sharing a space, it is important to give everyone the opportunity to set boundaries to complete their work. Sharing your schedule is an easy way to set time boundaries and coexist in the same space with people who have different goals.
You might be having trouble setting a schedule even for yourself; if that is the case, you can use your phone calendar or find free online planners that allow you to manage class times and assignments so that you can stay on top of your game. An online calendar is another great way to keep your meetings in order and schedule off time blocks in an organized and shareable way.
Designate a Space For Yourself
If time boundaries are not for you, try finding a space at home that can be yours! Having your own room or workspace can positively contribute to emotional well-being. If you have your own room, ask your housemates to give you privacy when the door is shut. This will allow you to create a space in your home that is for you to learn and relax until you are ready for company.
If your room doesn't feel like a place where you can kick back and chill, you might try sprucing it up! Check out these 9 ways to make your room more comfortable. If you are hoping to use your bedroom as your new space, consider rearranging the furniture to create different divisions in your room. Studies show that working in bed can negatively impact your productivity and lead to a worse sleep schedule. If you can, make yourself a workspace in your room. However, be mindful of possible distractions. Take the time to declutter your space to eliminate distractions and fully focus on your tasks. There’s nothing more distracting than trying to study while you see handfuls of unnecessary papers scattered around your room or clothes that need to be put away. Versatile areas and good organization are the keys to creating a multi-purpose room that you can use to be productive for work and relaxation.
Set Technology Boundaries
In today’s technology-driven world, it’s important to set boundaries so you can be successful and achieve your goals. Here are some tips to help you master the balance:
Place your phone on “Do Not Disturb” mode. When you’re studying, taking exams, or finishing an assignment, activate this mode to minimize interruptions.
Set a notification schedule. Set up work notifications during the hours of your choosing to avoid late-night or early-morning distractions. You can also use silence notifications on your phone so you aren’t notified of messages at certain times of the day. It’s all about balance!
Create a noise-free zone. Choose study spaces away from TVs and radios to maintain focus.
Disconnect from technology before bed. We know it’s hard but avoid looking at screens (yes, including your phone) before bedtime to wind down and start the next day refreshed. Explore apps that help you limit screen time or block use of social media.
Take movement breaks. Regularly step away from the screen to stretch, grab a glass of water, and rest your eyes.
Following these tips may help create a happier and healthier you!
Do Your Part
While you may be focused on attending classes, studying, and even working, try to remember that you live in a shared space and should contribute to the home ecosystem in some way. Maybe this looks like a structured list of chores that belong to you–you’re the only one that unloads the dishwasher or mows the lawn–or maybe it is just helping out when you notice things need to be done or doing what is asked of you by your housemates.
Whether or not you contribute to the household financially, sharing the load of chores can lead to more productive and positive living relationships, which in turn leads to a better environment to study, relax, and exist!
Ask for Help When You Need It
It can be exhausting trying to study, work, and take care of others, so don’t forget to take care of yourself. Sometimes self-care looks like asking for help from others. Rely on your support system–from family to friends to neighbors and mentors! Whether it’s a regularly occurring task that needs to come off your plate–maybe someone else can cook dinner on nights you have class–or just that you need some general help during specific times like midterms or finals, don’t be afraid to ask!
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