A four-point strategy for balancing work and play  

MSc Business & Finance student Edward Huang outlines his advice on excelling academically, whilst enjoying yourself and making a few friends along the way.

Studying a Masters degree is a challenging and sometimes difficult experience, but with the right approach and mindset, we can achieve our academic goals whilst enjoying ourselves and making friends along the way. Here are some top tips for studying that help me stay focused, motivated, and productive.

1. Find the right work-life balance

I would strongly advise you to make time to put down your books or laptop, get some fresh air and enjoy yourself. Taking regular breaks is crucial for maintaining focus and avoiding burnout. I normally take a short break every two hours to stretch and explore, we have the most stunning green scenery around campus, so take advantage of it with a campus walk!

Spending time with your peers and meeting people outside of class is also a great way to take a break from your hard work and studies. I like to hang out at the Warwick Student’s Union, or attend WBS Careers fairs to meet like-minded people chasing a similar goal.

2. Set clear goals and stick to the plan

I find it essential to set clear, achievable goals before beginning a project or assignment. This gives me a strong sense of purpose, and keeps me focused and motivated to reach my benchmarks. This is particularly important during our self-study and holiday periods, where distractions become more tempting. Set yourself small, manageable tasks – and don’t forget to factor in breaks, rewards and time to legislate for any delays.

3. Revise and socialise with classmates

I recommend joining or organising group study sessions with your classmates or other friends, it’s amazing how much we can learn from each other! We discuss our opinions, create mind maps, analyse content from our own perspectives, and it makes the whole process more enjoyable.

As an international student myself, I understand it is challenging learning and improving a different language and settling into a new country. The WBS Masters cohort is hugely diverse, I found almost everyone experiences these struggles to some extent. Talking, learning and growing together every day improves this without doubt – you’re not only helping yourself by reaching out and talking, you’re helping others.

4. Make use of your surroundings

Warwick Business School provides many study spots that are quiet, comfortable, and free from distractions. I enjoy using both the Postgraduate lounge and study space when working on assignments with my peers, and quieter places across campus such as the Library, Faculty of Arts building or Postgrad Hub for solo study.

To summarise, each of us has our unique approach to staying organised and utilising our time effectively. But hopefully these tips can act as a guide to help you enjoy yourself at WBS. Best of luck!

Find out more about Edward’s course, MSc Business & Finance here, or download our Postgraduate brochure to learn more about our MSc courses.