When I was in matric, my tutor always used to sit the whole grade down when we were all noticeably stressed and overwhelmed, and would proceed to say in her calming British accent, “ladies, you need to put everything in moderation in order to achieve a balanced lifestyle in your matric year”. Okay cool, but what does that mean? How can we be expected to put everything In moderation when we can’t and don’t even know how to balance our own lives. Speaking for myself, and I’m sure most people in varsity, I was never taught in high school how to have a ‘balanced lifestyle’. My days only consisted of work, tests, and compulsory extra murals, leaving no room to achieve this so called ‘balanced lifestyle’. Achieving a balanced lifestyle does not mean drinking green tea every morning and wearing your active wear everywhere with a kauai smoothie in your hand. So for all the non-balanced folk out there, let me break it down it for you.

Open mind

Try to have an open mind about many things. Staying in one mindset does not allow you to try new ways of doing things or seeing different perspectives of others.  Expand your horizons and be enthusiastic.  Just by listening to or experiencing different things in life doesn’t mean that you have to agree with it or do it, just be mindful and open to learn from it.

Make time for you

It is so easy to get lost in the volume of work and pressures at varsity.  Most of the time we seek relief from this by going out and being with groups of people. Never underestimate the importance of doing things that are important to you and spending time with yourself.  Get to enjoy your own company, you will be surprised how enjoyable and therapeutic these times can be. 

Taking responsibility & accountability

Student years are not just about learning the skills of a particular degree.  These years are your opportunity to learn full responsibility and accountability for yourself, something that is of paramount importance to your future success in life in general. You are responsible for planning, doing the work, sticking to deadlines and partaking in down time and ultimately being accountable when you do not achieve your goals.  It all boils down to choice, either reaping the benefits of good choices or bearing the consequences of bad choices.  It is all part of the maturing process, and you will stand yourself in good stead by always being responsible and accountable for your choices.

Explore city

Cape Town is the perfect place to explore with so many diverse activities to experience. There are festivals, markets, The Baxter Theatre,  museums and the open air Red Busses to name a few.  The natural beauty is extensive with many places to choose from. Eg. Table Mountain, Kirstenbosch Gardens, beaches, wine lands and hikes.

 Go on adventures

Getting off campus and out work mode is essential to calm, relax and recharge the brain.  Going out and being in nature helps to rejuvenate the soul and develop and nurture creativity.  Creativity is key to reaching your potential and finding balance and personal growth.

Student jobs

Besides earning much needed extra cash, obtaining a part time student job helps you learn to prioritise, plan and manage your time.  Having student jobs on your CV is always beneficial for experience and future references.  You will learn a lot about yourself having to juggle your time and dealing with work colleagues, bosses and customers.  Life skills well worth it.

Stick to schedule

Planning seems to come up a lot in this blog, which goes to show just how important it is to do so.  But there is no point in having a plan and then not adhering to it.  Stick to your schedule!  If you work your plan and stay on schedule so many areas of your life will benefit therefore allowing you to lead a more balanced life and alleviating a state of chaos and panic.