How I manage life, work and studies as a student

July 10, 2025 HALYNA MOLDOVANOVA

Student in dark clothing stood in frot of a Victorian building. There's a blue sky with a few white clouds.

Hi, I’m Halyna, a 35-year-old mature student studying Forensic Psychology at YSJ, and I’ll be honest with you—I take life and especially my studies seriously. Sometimes maybe too seriously! 😊 But today, I want to share the lifestyle habits that have helped me manage my life, work and studies while enjoying my student experience to the fullest.

Life planning: Money Matters

I knew I wanted to be a full-time student from September, so I planned early. I worked full-time beforehand to save money, and I put my savings into an ISA account with a 4.5% return—small but helpful! I managed to save £10,000 before starting my studies.

I also knew I could realistically work two days a week without hurting my grades. So even while I was waiting for my exam results (I was optimistic—I believed I’d pass!), I spoke to my manager about reducing my hours from 40 to 15 per week. It worked because I’d already proven myself as a reliable colleague—and let’s be honest, by law, they can’t just fire you for no reason! 😉

Now I work every Wednesday and Sunday, and I spend weekdays focused on study and Saturdays with my partner. Balance is key.

Fitness: My Non-Negotiable

Every morning before university, I go to the gym. Why? Because after a long study day in the library, I’d never have the energy to exercise. Morning gym helps me stay positive, focused, and full of energy for the day ahead.

Food on a Budget

I’m a big fan of yellow labels—discounted supermarket food! And I love the student kitchen on campus. The food is always fresh, the menu changes every week, and they cater for both meat-lovers and vegetarians. Affordable and delicious.

Studies: My Secrets to High Marks

Despite my busy schedule, I achieved marks ranging from 68 to 82 in my first year, which I’m really proud of. My secret? I never leave things to the last minute.

As soon as an assessment brief is published, I read it and let it sit in my mind for a week.
Then I create a Word document and start making notes, adding new ideas and research every week.
I always check my work early for similarity and make sure I’ve got a draft in case I get busy later.
I read and reread my work until I feel 100% confident I’ve done my best.

Honestly, just one focused hour a day on assignments adds up to a huge result by the deadline. No stress, no panic.

Finding joy in life: Walking, Music, and Flow

I protect my mental health just as much as I focus on my studies. My favorite things?

Long walks—thankfully, York is full of beautiful paths.
Listening to audiobooks or my favorite music while I walk.
A good movie that takes me into flow for a couple of hours.
Traveling around Yorkshire—it costs just £3 to get to places like Whitby or Leeds by bus!
(Pro tip: If you travel a lot, get a monthly unlimited bus card for around £85—it’s worth it.)

Final Thoughts: Take Control—One Step at a Time

My biggest piece of advice? Plan ahead. Whether it’s your money, your study schedule, or your work hours—thinking one step ahead makes life so much easier and far less stressful.

And remember: you don’t have to do everything perfectly. Even small habits, like a daily walk, or working on assignments a little at a time, can make a huge difference.

If I can manage my work, life and studies as a student then you can too.

If you want to learn more about student employment opportunities, read Scarlett’s blog on how she got her job.