Work-life balance in studies

Studying for exams can often feel like a marathon with no clear finish line. We have all experienced it: Once the exam schedule is published, meeting a friend for coffee suddenly feels like a questionable life choice. The common belief is simple: more hours at the library must mean better results. We convince ourselves that every free minute must be spent studying. Anything else feels unproductive.

I felt the same way. My way of dealing with this looked very structured, but it taught me an important lesson. I used to time myself with a stopwatch for 8 hours a day; because that’s what a full-time job looks like, right? In reality, it didn’t work. Every time I took a break, I stopped the timer and felt frustrated and guilty. Instead of being productive, I felt pressured. Over time, I realized that focusing on how many hours I studied was the wrong approach. Productivity is not fixed and differs from person to person.

What helped me was identifying when I am most productive during the day and using that time effectively. Some people work best in the morning, others at night and that’s completely fine.

Taking breaks is not wasted time; it is an essential part of effective learning. When you deliberately step away from your desk, your brain keeps working in the background. A short walk through the Schlossgarten or the lake near the university, a workout, or a relaxed conversation with friends can work wonders. Studies show that regular breaks improve memory retention and problem-solving skills. Quite often, the answer to a difficult exam question appears only after you have stopped staring at your notes and allowed your mind to breathe.

For a long time, I underestimated the power of breaks, until I experienced it myself. A friend of mine often motivated me to take walks, which I initially thought wasted time. In reality, those breaks improved my focus, and sometimes I even found solutions to difficult problems while talking. Meals are also an important break for me. Since childhood, eating slowly while watching TV with mom and relaxing has been my way to recharge. Even now, I cook, watch something light on Netflix (no TV…haha), and take my time while eating. I also take short tea or coffee breaks when I feel exhausted. These moments help me return to studying with renewed energy.

Your social and private life should not go into “airplane mode” just because exam season has started. Staying connected with others provides emotional support and helps reduce stress. Talking about something else than exams, credits, or deadlines can feel surprisingly refreshing. Even small activities: cooking with roommates, playing sports at the University Sports Center, or calling a friend while procrastinating “just for five minutes”, can significantly improve your mood. These moments are a reminder that you are more than a walking collection of flashcards.

This is where I realized how important staying connected really is. I stay in touch with close friends, especially my best friend, and try to stay socially active. I go for walks, attend events at the International Center (IZ) and the ÖZ Cafe, and sometimes help organize activities for new international students as a mentor and buddy at the mentoring program. Sharing stress often makes it easier to handle. I also talk to my parents regularly; my mom is my best listener. On top of that, I give myself about 40 minutes a day for social media, watching funny reels and laughing out loud. I also play some instruments, I paint and make short reels of my own. It may not sound productive, but it definitely helps.

Maintaining balance during busy weeks is challenging, but definitely possible:

• Set a clear “closing time”: Decide when you stop studying in the evening and actually log off …yes, even if “just one more slide” seems tempting.
• Plan your “free time”: Schedule breaks, hobbies, and social activities just like study sessions. If it’s in your calendar, it’s official.
• Focus on “quality”, not quantity: A few focused hours (find your golden time frame in the entire day) are often far more effective than an entire day of distracted studying with constant phone checks.

If exam pressure becomes overwhelming, remember that you do not have to handle it alone. Then there is a study group at IZ, which offers support with time management, exam anxiety, and study-related stress.

Taking care of your mental health is just as important as your final grade. Especially during exam periods, allowing yourself to pause, recharge, and breathe is not a luxury, it is a smart survival strategy.

Satya