One of the hardest things for students (and sometimes their parents) to digest is that life happens. Occasionally, school needs to take a backseat to whatever else is happening that needs to take priority. So many of my students are working professionals, parents, dealing with physical and mental health issues, death, incarceration, or any other manner of thing that they are trying to balance with their educational pursuits. Cue the anxiety related to trying to balance their personal and professional lives with their education, which often includes financial concerns related to tuition or other programmatic requirements, such as practicums or internships (depending on what program they are in). It’s common to face personal issues that can impact our ability to concentrate on our studies. By learning to compartmentalize and create a healthy separation between our personal lives and academic responsibilities, we can regain focus and achieve success in our educational endeavors. Firstly, know that your educational pursuits can easily be put on hold. Most programs have Leave of Absence options or you can just stop for a time and either return at a later date or even transfer to another program or college, depending on your circumstances. It took me ten years to complete my Master’s thesis. I had personal issues that led to developing autoimmune disorders that took me out of my program, out of the city my college was in, and I then went to work; after that, I got married and later divorced – again, life happens. But I kept at it, had wonderful faculty support, and finished in December 2021. If you are struggling with this balance and need effective strategies to help you navigate personal/professional issues while maintaining your commitment to your education, here are some suggestions:
- Recognize and Acknowledge Personal Issues. The first step in compartmentalizing personal issues is to acknowledge and understand them. Take the time to reflect on the challenges you’re facing and the impact they may have on your studies. By recognizing these issues, you can better address them and devise strategies to minimize their influence on your academic life.
- Prioritize and Set Boundaries. Establishing clear priorities and boundaries is crucial for maintaining focus on education. Determine what aspects of your personal life require immediate attention and allocate specific time slots for addressing them. Create a schedule that outlines dedicated study periods and stick to it. By setting boundaries, you can create a sense of structure that separates personal concerns from your educational pursuits. (Note that this is the most difficult of my suggestions for me to follow. I would suggest that you create a goal to set aside whatever amount of time you can dedicate and then just make the promise to yourself that you will focus on just your studies during this time and then allow yourself to turn your attention back to the other personal concerns you are dealing with once you have met your set goal.)
- Practice Mindfulness and Self-Care. Engaging in mindfulness exercises and self-care practices can significantly help in compartmentalizing personal issues. Set aside time each day to engage in activities that promote relaxation and mental well-being, such as meditation, journaling, or exercise. Taking care of your emotional and physical health will enhance your ability to concentrate on your studies and cope with personal challenges. Check your university’s resources to see if they have free programs for you to sign-up for to help with this, such as Headspace.
- Seek Support. Don’t hesitate to reach out for support when needed. Friends, family, or mentors can offer guidance and a listening ear during difficult times. Additionally, educational institutions often provide counseling services or academic advisors who can assist you in finding the right resources to manage personal issues while staying on track academically.
- Create a Productive Study Environment. Designing a productive study environment can help you create a mental separation between personal issues and education. Find a quiet and organized space that is free from distractions. Keep your study area clutter-free and well-equipped with the necessary materials. This environment will help you focus and concentrate better on your studies, making it easier to temporarily put personal issues aside. You may also want to incorporate elements of Feng Shui, for example, or research productive arrangements for your space in order to get ideas for what will best work for your specific needs. Rearrange as often as needed in order to achieve the space setup that works best for you.
- Break Tasks into Manageable Chunks. Large tasks can be overwhelming, especially when personal issues weigh on your mind. Break down your academic responsibilities into smaller, more manageable tasks. Set achievable goals and reward yourself upon their completion. You may want to utilize the S.M.A.R.T Goal setting system: (1) Specific, (2) Measurable, (3) Achievable, (4) Relevant, (5) Time-bound. If this doesn’t work for you, there are other models of approach. Check out this article by Indeed for more ideas on goal setting. By focusing on one step at a time, you can maintain a sense of progress and keep personal issues from overshadowing your educational journey.
Compartmentalizing personal issues while pursuing education is a skill that takes time and practice to develop. By recognizing personal challenges, setting boundaries, practicing self-care, seeking support, creating a productive study environment, and breaking tasks into manageable chunks, you can regain focus and thrive academically. Remember, it’s essential to prioritize your well-being while pursuing your educational goals. With the right strategies and mindset, you can successfully navigate personal issues and achieve success in your studies.
Good luck! And, as always, please reach out with any questions that you would like addressed regarding this or anything else related to your educational journey.
-Your Academic Advisor
Your Academic Advisor 