Balancing Life in Week Three

Balancing course work, travel, and experiencing new cultures while being on a study abroad program can be difficult because you want to constantly be outside exploring the city and not inside doing homework. But hence the study in study abroad, academics is an important aspect of being abroad because there are credits and homework involved.

Last weekend I traveled to Amsterdam and that whole trip affected everything. The trip was planned just days before and my decision to go on it was on a whim. Although it was a definite worthwhile trip, none of us really worked on homework throughout the couple of days due to constantly being out and doing things. When we came back Sunday and our return flight was delayed, I did not get home until midnight. I got five hours of sleep that night as well as Monday night. I felt really tired throughout the two days and just wanted to sleep. I did not perform my best and felt snappy and unlike myself. It was not until I had plenty of rest I felt ready to actually be doing things. That whole situation taught me that time management while being abroad really does matter.

Now I try to plan my days more accordingly and focus on things that are in need of getting done. If people are going to the beach but I have not started on my homework due next class, I will sacrifice time at the beach in order to complete the homework. It is not ideal, but setting aside a couple of hours a day devoted to homework has helped me a lot. It has made me appreciate the excursions and learning more about different cultures much more.

I enjoy being abroad much more now with planning out my days. Studying abroad is such an amazing opportunity to be introduced to a new culture, but if you let academics come in last priority, you will see consequences. It is possible to achieve a balance between course work, travel, and experiencing a new culture.

Pieces of advice to someone traveling abroad on balancing everything:

• Get enough sleep. It may seem easy to sacrifice sleep to be out doing other things, but lack of sleep does take a toll on your body. Just as it is important to get enough sleep throughout the school year, it is just as important while being abroad.
• Make a to-do list. Every day when I wake up in the morning, I think about what I have to complete and do by the end of the day. Doing this list helps me sort out what my schedule will be like for that day.
• Say no. Although there are plenty of opportunities to go out, saying no is sometimes the better option. Keeping in mind that you have homework is important and there will be plenty of more social events to occur.
• Avoid distractions. It is extremely easy to go on social networking while attempting to do homework, but distractions only take up more of your time you could be socializing. Finding ways to keep distractions out that work for you will help you focus on what you need to do.

Highlights from Amsterdam:

We took a mandatory I Amsterdam sign photo.

The view on our way to the Anne Frank museum.

Kritvi was in favor of saving the EU by riding a mechanical bull.

Visiting the Heineken experience was amazing.