In a nutshell, I would say balancing work and study feels like walking a tightrope demanding constant focus, discipline, and resilience to avoid losing your footing.
I have decided to document my experience on how I was somehow able to manage and balanSt my work and studies as an international student.
Welcome back to the Dairy of an International Student…
It was a cold January morning, the kind where the chill seems to seep through every layer of clothing. My shift as a support worker started at 8:00 AM, and I had a two-hour commute ahead of me one that involved hopping on buses, catching trains, and praying everything ran on time. I had taken this job after nearly 50 rejections, so I was grateful, but I wasn’t prepared for what working during a UK winter would really feel like.
That first day was brutal. I had finished a long day shift of about 12 hours and spent a few hours of the night editing my dissertation draft and barely got three hours of sleep before my alarm jolted me awake. I wrapped myself in my then-thickest coat, wore my work shoes, shoved my lunch pack in my bag, and made my way to the bus stop. The icy wind was unforgiving, and the slippery pavements didn’t help either.
By the time I got to the train station, my toes were numb, and my hands felt like they might shatter despite my gloves. I couldn’t afford wasting money on an Uber after all, this job was supposed to help me save money. So, there I was, squished between other tired commuters on the train, hoping I wouldn’t be late.
When I finally arrived at my client’s house, the warmth of their heater was a welcome relief. The work itself wasn’t bad helping with meals, chatting with clients, and ensuring their daily tasks were manageable. But the travel, oh, the travel. Between managing shifts in different cities and dealing with delays, I sometimes questioned why I even took the job in the first place.
Still, every paycheck felt like a victory. I started learning tricks to cut costs by getting a railcard, timing my journeys to avoid peak hours, and memorizing the local bus routes. I even found ways to make the commute productive, reading journal articles for my dissertation, and writing on my blog while waiting for the next commute.
By the end of winter, I’d found my rhythm. It wasn’t easy balancing work and my studies especially my dissertation, the job on one hand really messed with my mental health coupled with other things, but the job also taught me perseverance. It also reminded me why I was here: to build a life, to learn, and to prove to myself that I could thrive even in the toughest conditions. And honestly, those bitter mornings at the bus stop and train station? They made every small accomplishment feel that much sweeter.
I hope you enjoyed reading this. Please like this and subscribe for more.🫶🏾
