Balancing Academic Achievement and Co-Curricular Experience
Written by: Rainy Lu, 2nd Year Medical Science
Photo by: Western Communications
For most of us, university is not only about lectures, assignments, and exams. It is also about enriching our lives through meaningful co-curricular activities that teach us leadership, teamwork, and resilience. To find a job in the competitive market, we need to be well-rounded individuals who can collaborate, adapt, and think creatively. One way to strengthen these skills is through co-curricular experiences. Aside from assisting our careers, co-curricular activities are a great way for us to expand our perspective, meet new people, and have a break from heavy academics. While we all know that co-curricular experiences are beneficial, the real question is: How do we navigate through sports, clubs, part-time jobs, and social life with academic excellence and without burning out? The simple answer is balance. In this blog post, we will share some tips for maintaining the balance between academic achievement and co-curricular experience.
Time Management
Although no one has a 36-hour day, time management can make 24 hours work like magic. The first tip is to learn how to prioritize. Not all tasks are equal, so it is important to organize assignments and commitments into categories like: Urgent & Important (exams, project deadlines), Important but Not Urgent (long-term study plans, skill-building), Urgent but Not Important (some meetings, last-minute requests), and Neither (mindless scrolling, excessive Netflix). You can also block out study sessions, club meetings, and downtime in a digital calendar or planner. As long as you treat these blocks as non-negotiable, you know you will be on top of your tasks. It is also important to note that you cannot do everything. If joining another club means sacrificing sleep or grades, it is okay to decline. Remember to always value quality over quantity.
Maximize Productivity
After pulling an all-nighter only to forget everything by morning, most of us probably realized that cramming doesn’t work. Instead, you can try to engage with the material through summaries, discussions, or teaching concepts to friends. To avoid burnout, you can also study in focused 25-minute bursts with 5-minute breaks. Although it might not seem like an effective method, trust me, your brain will retain more through taking regular breaks. Additionally, one of the most beneficial studying tips I have ever received is to silence notifications during study sessions. While it is hard to force yourself not to answer a text from a friend, it is important to realize that social media can wait.
Self-Care
Although this might be counter-intuitive, self-care is a game changer. Skipping sleep, living on instant noodles, and running on caffeine might feel valid, but this is a fast track to burnout. Your brain and body need fuel to have their best performance. It is important that you aim for 7-8 hours of sleep as sleep improves memory, focus, and mood. Sleep like your GPA depends on it (which is true)! On the other hand, eating healthily and exercising regularly are also good ways to recharge.
Using Support Systems
We often don’t realize this, but we don’t have to do it alone! There are many help and support systems out there. For example, you can take advantage of your professors. Office hours exist for a reason. You can also form study groups and collaborate with peers to master concepts faster. Western also has resources for mental well-being, time management workshops, and even career advice. Resources are there for you to use, so use them! You can also go to the Western Recreation Centre during your study breaks and take a break from life with physical activities.
Final Thoughts
Balance is not about doing everything flawlessly. It is about making suitable choices. Some days, you will ace an exam. Some other days, you might skip a lecture to prepare for a competition. These choices are all okay. You know yourself the best, so trust yourself to make the choices that are best for you. We should all aim to graduate not just with a degree, but with skills, memories, and experiences that shape who we become. Our future self will look back and say, “That was worth it.”
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