Living in the 2020s can often feel like one of those novelty circus acts involving spinning numerous plates. The subject does their best to tackle this difficult task, keeping an eye on those plates which, if left unattended, will come crashing to the ground. Once they’ve ensured all the existing plates are dealt with, they’ll grasp fresh ones from the pile and start spinning those.
While this scenario might sound like the description of a recurring nightmare familiar to some, the plate-revolving analogy is universally apt for the modern world. The advent of technology designed to simplify daily routines can seem like just another set of spinning plates to worry about. If you’re currently studying, you’ll be spinning studies, homework, exams, job applications, and your domestic life. Where the latter is concerned, how on earth do you factor in romance?
One of the most natural events in any student’s life is finding yourself attracted to someone else on the course, at the halls of residence, in one of the campus social clubs, or even just at the local coffee shop. Things often start as local hookups but easily transform into something more. Yet another plate to spin? Not necessarily. There are two little words that should become integral to your vocabulary. Time and management. Once you pick up basic time management techniques, you’ll become a master of plate spinning! It’s all about achieving the right balance between learning and romance and understanding how to prioritize.
Time management and prioritization
A golden rule of time management is ensuring you can see the bigger picture. This means you don’t just carry everything around inside your head, hoping you’ll somehow surmount one of the most basic of human flaws – forgetfulness. Even the most organized person in the world can easily allow something to slip their mind. So, make sure everything is written down in some form. This could be done as a straightforward list, or if you’re keen to keep on top of things, in digital format.
There are many apps you can download that contain flexible event calendars. As you complete this information, you’ll have the facility to prioritize tasks, placing less crucial activities further down the pecking order. An important point is that you’ll still have to adhere to this overview, and not be tempted to tweak anything just because you can!
Various dating apps and platforms
Sticking with digital solutions, another worthwhile weapon to incorporate into your arsenal would be online dating resources. By its very nature, seeking someone who would be ideal for a romance can be time-consuming. If you’ve always been used to socializing in the real world, this can mean hanging around in traditional meeting places such as trendy bars, or nightclubs popular with singles, and so on.
However, the advent of online dating has meant you can download the appropriate software to your desktop or smart device. Then, you could have access to the best opportunities for local hookups accessible 24/7. These platforms are designed to provide shortlists of those other members who most tick your boxes, like sharing the same dating goals or being local (achieved by algorithms capable of sifting through vast databases in nanoseconds).
Additionally, secure communication channels are available to allow newcomers to flirt with those they’d like to indulge in short-term hookups with, or if they’d prefer, there will be options for finding out more about certain individuals for possible longer-term connections.
The beauty of this form of interaction is that the moment you sign up to become a participant, you take charge. This allows you to factor the time you spend socializing online with your academic aspirations.
Creating academic and romantic goals
You must set targets for both sides of this sometimes-tricky balance, your professional ambitions and your aims. While the degree of emphasis you place on either will fluctuate, the important point is to stay consistent with placing them in the spotlight. The key to achieving maximum productivity in both areas is to understand your limitations.
You’ll need to appreciate how easy it is to devote far too much time to staring at a screen and absorbing information. Regular breaks need to be taken to avoid burnout. You must formulate basic strategies to avoid this, and therefore make the most of the time you spend online. As soon as you feel your eyelids getting heavy, or you’re having to re-read paragraphs for the information to sink in, appreciate this is your body warning that fatigue is setting in. The best thing you can do now is to put away your study and have some rest.
Step away from your workstation. Pop the kettle on. Watch a short episode of a new hit show or opt for any other type of entertainment. Why not set an alarm, so you establish a decent length of time for this break? Take the opportunity to text your significant other and arrange a date or quick hookup. This contact will unleash feel-good hormones that will flood through your bloodstream, filling you with positivity and optimism. Conclude your exchange by establishing the next moment when you’ll touch base – having something to look forward to can be another terrific incentive to study well.
Maintaining effective communication
Good communication must form the bedrock of your work/life balance strategy. In whatever sphere you’re operating, whether you’re absorbing critical details about an essay assignment, or spending quality time with your partner, make the most of the available technologies. If you’re comfortable with using transcription apps, you could save a lot of time spent typing out lengthy paragraphs by dictating this data, allowing the software to do the heavy lifting.
Take the most recommended communication techniques on board, fine-tuning the skills you adopt when touching base. Universities are increasingly likely to employ all sorts of software solutions to assist in the submission of coursework, while there will also be handy methods for you to adopt for streamlined personal conversations. If you can’t spare the time for a meaningful face-to-face cath-up, whether that’s with a tutor or a partner, then take advantage of video chatting tech.
Fostering self-care and wellbeing
Going back to that plate-spinning analogy, one of the most fundamental aspects of keeping on top of everything is appreciating your limitations. We are all human, and in the modern world, nobody will be expecting you to stretch yourself to the point that your health starts to be impacted. If you feel you need an extension for coursework due to stress, discuss this with your tutors. It’s in everyone’s interests that your well-being comes first and foremost, and this is the same where your relationships are concerned.
Navigating long-distance relationships
Finally, it’s worth underlining the tech innovations touched upon, particularly video chatting (Zoom, FaceTime, etc.,) which are also fabulous for ensuring the flames of passion remain kindled, even when you’re separated by distance. There are many methods of communication to master – and these will keep your love ignited!
