As a working student, it can be challenging to balance the demands of a job with maintaining a social life. Between classes, assignments, and work shifts, there's little time left for anything else. However, having a social life is vital for maintaining good mental and emotional health, and it can even help your studies and career.
This blog post will explore some strategies and tips for working students to make the most of their time and have a fulfilling social life. Whether you're looking to build relationships with coworkers, join clubs and organisations, or use technology to stay connected, there are many ways to make it happen. So, don't give up hope if you feel lonely or disconnected. Keep reading to learn how to have a social life as a working student.
Prioritise your time: Make a list of your priorities and responsibilities, and organise them by the level of importance. This will help you focus on the most important tasks first and ensure that you use your time effectively.
Create a schedule: Plan out your time in advance by creating a schedule. This will help you stay organised and ensure you have time for work and social activities.
Set reminders: Use reminders to help you stay on track and stay aware of upcoming deadlines. This will help you stay on top of your tasks and ensure you attend all important events.
Learn to say no: It's essential to be selective about the commitments you take on and to say no to things that are unimportant, or you do not have the time for.
Take breaks: Make sure to take breaks and schedule some leisure time for yourself. Taking a break from work and social activities can help you to recharge and be more productive when you return to your tasks.
Learn to Delegate: If you are working in a team, learn to delegate tasks to other members, it can help you to manage your time and reduce your workload.
The importance of setting priorities and creating a schedule cannot be overstated. It will help you stay organised and ensure you have time for work and social activities. It will also help you keep on top of your tasks and ensure you do not miss any important events. With a little bit of planning and organisation, it is possible to have a fulfilling social life while working as a student.
Strategies for building connections and friendships with coworkers include being friendly and approachable, finding common interests, and being a good listener. One way to be more approachable is to make eye contact and smile when interacting with coworkers. It's also essential to take the time to get to know your coworkers, find common interests, and show genuine interest in their lives and experiences.
Being a good listener is also a great way to build connections, as it shows that you value and respect what others have to say. Additionally, participating in team-building activities or social events outside work can provide opportunities to bond with coworkers and strengthen connections. If offered, joining employee resource groups or clubs can also be an excellent way to connect with like-minded individuals.
Organise a team lunch or happy hour: Plan a casual lunch or happy hour with your coworkers to bond and get to know each other outside of work.
Volunteer together: Sign up for a local volunteer opportunity as a team and give back to the community together.
Host a game night: Plan a game night at the office or a coworker's home to bond and have fun.
Attend company-wide events: Participate in company-wide events such as picnics, holiday parties, or team-building activities to connect with coworkers.
Join a sports league: Sign up for a company sports league or intramural team to bond with coworkers while exercising.
Take a fitness class together: Sign up for a fitness class like yoga or cycling and bond with coworkers while getting healthy.
These are just a few ideas for participating in team-building activities and bonding with colleagues outside of work. The key is finding fun and enjoyable activities for everyone and providing opportunities to build relationships and connections in a relaxed and informal setting.
Joining clubs and organisations related to your interests and hobbies can benefit working students.
Social connections: Clubs and organisations provide opportunities to connect with people with similar interests and passions. This can help to build friendships and a sense of community.
Personal development: Joining a club or organisation can provide opportunities to develop new skills and knowledge, and to pursue personal goals and interests.
Career advancement: Clubs and organisations can provide opportunities to network and make connections in your field of study or career. They can also help to enhance your resume and make you a more attractive candidate to potential employers.
Stress relief: Participating in activities related to your interests can be a great way to relax and reduce stress.
A sense of purpose: Joining a club or organisation can give you a sense of purpose and fulfilment and can help to boost self-esteem and confidence.
Leadership opportunities: Many clubs and organisations offer leadership roles, which can help to develop leadership skills, boost your resume and give you a sense of accomplishment.
Exposure to different perspectives: Joining a club or organisation can expose you to different perspectives, ideas, and cultures, which can help to broaden your understanding and appreciation of the world.
Improve well-being: Joining clubs and organisations can improve mental, physical and emotional well-being by providing a sense of belonging, social support and personal development.
Overall, joining clubs and organisations related to your interests and hobbies can be a great way to balance the demands of work and school with your personal and social life.
There are several ways to find, and get involved with clubs and organisations related to your interests and hobbies on campus or in the community.
Check with your school: Many schools have a list of clubs and organisations that the school recognises. You can check with your school's student activities office or website to find a list of groups that you can join. You can use the list below to find the Clubs and Societies page for your University/College:
Swinburne University of Technology
The University of New South Wales (UNSW)
The University of Technology Sydney (UTS)
Australian Catholic University
Australian National University
University of the Third Age (U3A)
The Australian National University (ANU)
Australian Catholic University (ACU)
Charles Sturt University (CSU)
The University of New South Wales at the Australian Defence Force Academy (UNSW ADFA)
The University of Western Australia (UWA)
University of Notre Dame Australia
University of the Sunshine Coast- Western Australia Campus
The University of Queensland (UQ)
Queensland University of Technology (QUT)
University of Southern Queensland (USQ)
Charles Darwin University (CDU)
Batchelor Institute of Indigenous Tertiary Education
Menzies School of Health Research
The University of Tasmania (UTAS)
Browse online: Many clubs and organisations have an online presence, and you can often find information about them on social media, websites, or online forums.
Attend club fairs or events: Many schools and communities hold club fairs or events where you can meet members of different clubs and organisations and learn more about what they do.
Ask around: Talk to your classmates, friends, or coworkers and ask if they know of any clubs or organisations that may be of interest to you.
Be proactive: Be bold and reach out to a club or organisation that interests you, and ask how you can get involved.
Once you find a club or organisation that you would like to join, it's important to be proactive and take the initiative to get involved. Attend meetings, volunteer for events, and participate in group activities. Be open-minded and be ready to get involved in the group's activities.
It's also important to remember that joining a club or organisation is a commitment and you should be prepared to make the time and effort to participate actively. By actively participating, you will get more out of the experience and make the most of your time and effort.
