It’s easy to get caught up in the excitement of being in a new country and fall behind on assignments. When you’re in a new country with twenty of your classmates, it can feel like one big adventure — until your Canvas notifications keep popping up.
Lately, I’ve been trying to balance soaking up the rest of my time in London while completing assignments. I’ve learned that it’s possible to finish a full course load while seeing the city — it just takes a good amount of planning. Here are some tips I’ve gathered since going abroad:
Scheduling
Throughout the week, I try to schedule any schoolwork right away. My dialogue centers around documentary filmmaking, which takes a great deal of organization since my whole class regularly travels around England to complete interviews and video shoots. On top of that, the project requires regular production meetings in addition to class time. I try my best to block off time for filmmaking work as soon as I possibly can. I then usually take Saturday mornings to complete other coursework — historical analysis essays, research, and even these blog posts. Knowing that I have specific time blocks for work makes it easier to schedule outings and other social events outside of those working sessions.
At first, I was a bit overwhelmed by juggling my two classes with a brand new place. We are very far from Boston, and even Northeastern’s London campus felt daunting at first. But like any regular semester, I have fallen into a little routine. I take classes and complete coursework in the morning, then I use the afternoon for exploration and experiences.
FOMO and Study Abroad
On a trip like this, it is very easy to get FOMO or “fear of missing out.” My dialogue group is an adventurous bunch, and everyone invites everyone to come along on excursions around the city. Sometimes, it’s nearly impossible to say no. I remind myself that I’ll only be young in London once, and I should do everything that I can to enjoy myself.
There’s definitely a benefit to never saying no — you can have new experiences that you never would have planned for yourself. But when you’re also a full-time student and documentary director, sitting something out can be a good move, as well. Over the past few weeks, I’ve found that I have to be a bit more selective with my time if I want to fully commit myself to both coursework and my social life.
Self-Care
Therefore, I would add one more facet to having a work-life balance, and that’s taking care of yourself. I’ve found that it’s easiest to complete my studies and have the energy to spend time with friends if I invest some time just for myself, as well. A trip like this can be an absolute whirlwind, and sectioning off time to rest and recharge (my friend calls it “horizontal time”) is absolutely essential. That way, I’m not burnt out in my work, not tired in social settings, and ready to tackle whatever comes next.
