by The opportunity to study abroad is an exciting one. But, it also comes with an important goal and its own share of challenges. Indian students could find it difficult to navigate the life and pressures of international education. One particular challenge is striking a balance between academics and social life.
As a result, we have made a list of practical 7 tips Indian students can follow to achieve success in balancing study abroad and socialising.
1. Manage Time Well
The process of handling both studies and social life for abroad students becomes easier through time management. Creating schedules every week is helpful. It should allocate time for classes, assignments, and enjoyment as well.
The purpose of your stay abroad is to study. However, time should also be set aside for socializing and experiencing your host country.
Taking time to experience your surroundings and become familiar with the country and people can be beneficial.
2. Set Goals That Are Within Sight
Setting goals that are achievable and within sight will contribute towards good mental and physical health. You will not want to miss this tip!
Striving for perfection is unrealistic and would lead to unnecessary stress. It is important though for students to prioritise their education when studying abroad. Setting goals within sight starts with setting very small goals.
As your time and ability grow, you can begin to set larger goals. You can always assess and adjust your goals over a specific period of time. Goals will always change based on the situation and this is a great tip to follow for balancing everything.
3. Stay Connected With Friends & Family
Studying abroad can be a sometimes challenging and lonely experience. Therefore, students need to have a support system. That is people they can turn to in times of difficulty. They can include fellow students, friends, family, and even faculty members.
Keeping in touch with friends and family from your home country also helps. It allows you to destress and take your mind off studying pressures. You’ll find yourself in a better mindset after communicating with friends and family.
Family and faculty can also give students some valuable advice when it comes to managing all aspects of their lives.
4. Implement Effective Study Techniques & Strategies
Excelling in your education career abroad is important. You don’t have to be the best but it is important to always try your best. For this to happen, you must create an effective study plan.
When it is time to study, you need to exercise extreme discipline. That means study time should be study time. Block out distractions to ensure a highly effective study session takes place.
Timed study sessions help to avoid mental strain. Short yet highly effective study sessions are the best option for abroad students. Don’t forget getting help from staff and other students is a worthy option for struggling students.
5. Stay Active & Eat Healthy
Healthy eating and lifestyle while studying abroad are very important and in the hands of the student. Therefore, students should be aware of what they eat and how much exercise they get. Overall health and well-being can effectively affect success in a foreign university
Students must be extra careful about what they eat. Also, take some time to be active. This could include going out for a walk or even going to the gym for basic exercise. Good exercise and food contribute to a healthy body and mind.
Both of which will help in balancing studies and social life well. A healthy diet will help boost academic abilities rather than a poor diet.
6. Take Time Out
Studying at a high level in an international university can become overwhelming sometimes. This makes it very important to take time out now and then. Personal mental and physical health is a vital aspect of successfully studying and still maintaining a social life.
Taking time out doesn’t mean stopping your studies. It just means doing something that helps to take the mind off the pressures of education. This could include watching a movie or going out for a coffee with friends.
Taking this time out helps students to approach their education with a fresh mind and wider perspective. It makes difficult times in studying more approachable and this helps students to succeed.
7. Know When to Say No
Travelling to another country does come with a huge responsibility. Students must ensure that education is their top-most priority. They should not be easily distracted and persuaded otherwise by other students.
This requires you to be able to say ‘no’ when the time arrives. Be firm and do not fall victim to peer pressure or do things that other people think will be cool but have consequences.
This should especially apply when it is designated study time. Study time is to be taken very seriously and nothing should come in between it.
Conclusion
Getting the opportunity to study abroad doesn’t mean that everything else in your life should come to a halt for studying. Being in a foreign country, studying is important but so is exploring and experiencing the country.
Studying abroad through a study abroad education provider does help students. They get insights and advice into what not to do and what to do to succeed in their study abroad endeavors.
Students can use the tips in this blog to maintain a balance between studying and special life and exploring their new host country.
