Balancing work, study, volunteer work, and social life

Everything at the same time

Studying abroad can sound fun, and scary at the same time. We have all the curiosity, all the plans and goals, and all the expectations, but let’s be real: sometimes, plans don’t meet our expectations. And that was what happened to me. When I started my master’s, I felt a bit behind my colleagues because they all already had years of experience, and I didn’t. So I wanted to do it all, at the same time: I wanted to study, I wanted to volunteer, I wanted to work, I wanted to travel, and meet my friends. But let me be honest, it is very, very hard to balance all of these at the same time. It can work to a lot of people, probably people more organized and more focused than I am.

August last year, I started working as a working student (20h per week), I was writing my thesis, I was volunteering on a NGO in Communications and I was creating content for Study in Germany. I felt really anxious most of the time because I felt like I was failing everyone. Althought, I created a plan to organize everything, I wasn’t giving all of me to any. So it was a very stressfull time for me. But hey! At least I got the experience.

Is it all worth it?

Looking back, I wish I would’ve done differently. I couldn’t focus on everything at the same time, I couldn’t get things done perfectly. I wish I organized myself better to make everything work. That is also a learning. Now I know my capabilities, how many things I can do at the same time, and what are my priorities but also balance my responsibilities with projects I committed to. It is a journey and I am very grateful to be able to have these many things in my hands.

Do what I say, not what I’ve done.

Here’s some tips that will help you organize yourself better:

1. Plan & Prioritize

• Use a planner or digital calendar (Google Calendar, Notion, or Todoist) to schedule everything.
• Identify high-priority tasks each week and tackle them first.
• Set clear deadlines to avoid last-minute stress.

2. Set Realistic Goals

• Don’t overcommit.

3. Learn to Say No

• You can’t do everything. Politely decline extra work or social events if you’re feeling overwhelmed.

4. Combine Activities

• Study or work in a café with friends to balance productivity and social life.

5. Use Downtime Wisely

• Listen to study materials or educational podcasts during commutes.

6. Take Care of Yourself

• Get enough sleep, exercise, and eat well—burnout won’t help you stay productive.
• Set aside at least one day for full rest or personal activities.