14 Jul 2021

It's all about balance, isn't it? For Yin, we have your studies and for Yang, we have your social life. We need both to thrive and have total equilibrium. Geez, I'm good, someone give me a Ted Talk.

For real though, I am a party animal. Sue me. But I also wanted to ace high school, exams and assessments.

Like the famous Old El Paso hard and soft tacos ad once told us; "Why don't we have both?". (Click here for that nostalgia)... My thoughts exactly! So here is how I partied the night away whilst simultaneously getting bangin' grades.

Look after yo'self

Seriously. When you've got a lot on your plate, it's easy to leave your health on the back burner.

Get enough sleep or I'll come for you. That's right, that's a threat. Get on average, eight hours sleep a night or watch out. Whilst I'm threatening you, drink enough water. Bring a water bottle everywhere, flavour your water with lemon or orange if you need more incentive, even use a reusable straw to trick yourself into drinking more.

Last but not least, eat your dang greens! If you're late to a party because you're busy meal prepping a healthy stir fry instead of making two minute noods for the millionth time, so be it! Put yourself first. Get in your fruit, veg and protein or else!

If you don't look after yourself, you'll burn out, get frazzled and probably won't succeed. So look after yourself.

Plan ahead

You best believe this loose unit had a plan of attack. Get a calendar, a diary, or record everything on your phone/laptop. Keep track of when things are due and make lists of your priorities each week. In order to party, we have to organise our lives.

Knowing that I had a bangin' party on Friday night and a concert on Saturday night genuinely fuelled me to be more productive during the week, so that I could party without regret. I'd tell myself "alright, do X amount of homework and X amount of studying and you can partaaayyy". It honestly got me through. Partying made me a better student - you heard it here first!

Be engaged in class

I am normally first to class and last to leave because I'm asking tutors and teachers about upcoming assessments. I am normally first at pres and last at kick ons. 

Work hard, play hard. 

It's easy to doze off, especially when it's a nine o'clock in the morn lecture on a Monday and you're still a little hung. But drink some Berocca and switch that brain of yours on. Take notes and ask q's in class. That way you won't have to spend so much time frantically flipping through textbooks to find the answers later before an assessment. 

I used to think that in class, I was Clark Kent. I showed up, gave it my all and tried to get ahead by studying in the library between classes. On the weekend, I became Superman. I don't actually know where I'm going with that analogy - maybe Superman needed Clark to do the work to truly be Superman. And Clark needed Superman... ok I need to stop. Just make sure you're listenong in class.

Know when to say no

Sacrifices sometimes have to be made. If a mate wanted to go out for dinner on a Wednesday but I had plans to submit an assessment before the weekend, I'd have to say no. 

But on the flip side, sometimes I would be buried in assessments and stressed outta my mind, spending hours inside working working working. Sometimes dinner out would be just what I needed to take a breather.

Stick to your plans and know when to say no... but also know when to say yes because like my first point states, look after yourself! Or else I'm comin' for ya!