Balancing Work and Study: Tips for Looking After Your Mental Wellbeing (National Work Life Week and World Mental Health Day 2026)
Posted: 5 October 2026 at 2:18 pm | Author: CAW Business School
Studying for a qualification can be rewarding, but fitting your studies around work, placements and everyday life isn’t always easy. As deadlines and other commitments begin to build up, it can sometimes feel like there simply aren’t enough hours in the day.
With National Work Life Week and World Mental Health Day both taking place this week, it’s a good opportunity to think about how you’re managing your different commitments and whether you’re making enough time to look after yourself too.
Finding a good balance is about finding a routine that feels manageable and sustainable for you. Here are some tips that may help.
Plan your week realistically
Planning ahead can make a busy week feel much more manageable. At the start of each week, take a look at your lessons, work or placement hours, upcoming deadlines and any other commitments you have.
Think realistically about how much time you have available for studying and try to break larger pieces of work into smaller tasks. Leaving some flexibility in your schedule can also help when unexpected things crop up.
Most importantly, avoid filling every available hour. Your plan should include time to switch off too.
Recognise when your balance isn’t working
Everyone has busy periods, particularly around assignments, assessments or exams. However, feeling constantly overwhelmed or as though you’re always trying to catch up could be a sign that something needs to change.
You might notice that you’re struggling to concentrate, regularly losing sleep, becoming more irritable or finding that you have very little time to do things you enjoy.
Recognising these signs early gives you an opportunity to look at your workload, reconsider your priorities and ask for help if you need it.
Make time to switch off
When you’re balancing several commitments, downtime can sometimes feel like time you should be using to get something else done. But regularly taking time away from work and studying is important for your wellbeing.
Whether it’s seeing friends and family, exercising, spending time outdoors, enjoying a hobby or simply having a quiet evening, try to make space for activities that help you relax.
Even during a busy study session, taking short breaks can help you return to your work feeling refreshed and ready to concentrate again.
Read our 10 simple self-care ideas to boost your wellbeing here.
Set boundaries where you can
Having some separation between your studies, work and personal life can make it easier to switch between them.
You might decide that you won’t study beyond a certain time in the evening, keep one evening each week free from college work or avoid checking emails and your VLE when you’ve set aside time to relax.
Your boundaries will depend on your individual circumstances, and there may be times when you need to be flexible. The important thing is to avoid feeling as though you should always be working or studying.
Don’t compare yourself with other students
It can be tempting to compare how much you’re doing with the people around you, particularly if somebody else appears to be managing everything easily.
Remember that everyone’s circumstances are different. Other students may have different working hours, financial commitments, caring responsibilities, travel times or support networks.
Instead of measuring your progress against somebody else’s, focus on finding a routine that works for your own circumstances.
Look after the basics
When life gets busy, some of the simplest things can be the first to slip.
Getting enough sleep, eating regularly, staying active and taking breaks can all support your physical and mental wellbeing. You don’t need to completely overhaul your routine – small changes can make a difference.
This could be as simple as taking a proper lunch break, going for a walk after studying or making sure you aren’t regularly staying up late to finish college work.
Ask for support when you need it
You don’t have to wait until you’re feeling overwhelmed before asking for support.
At CAW Business School, you can speak to your tutor if you’re struggling with your studies or finding it difficult to manage your commitments. Students can also access up to six free, confidential counselling sessions, as well as Togetherall, a 24/7 online mental health and wellbeing service. You’ll also find health and wellbeing resources in the Living Well area of the VLE.
Find out more about the support available on our Health and Wellbeing page.
There’s no single formula for achieving the perfect work-life-study balance. Some weeks your studies may need more attention, while at other times work, family or other commitments might take priority. What matters is recognising when things are becoming difficult to manage and giving yourself permission to make adjustments.
This National Work Life Week and World Mental Health Day, take a moment to think about your own routine. Is there something you could change to make your week feel more manageable? It could be planning ahead, protecting an evening for yourself, taking more regular breaks or simply speaking to someone when you need support.
Small changes can help you build a routine that supports both your studies and your wellbeing – not just during October, but throughout your time at college.