The Balancing Act: Life of a full-time Student, Department Rep and Student Councillor

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University life is a juggling act, and as a student, it can feel like you're wearing many hats. For me, balancing my responsibilities as a Student Councillor, a Department Representative, and a full-time Marketing student has been one of the most challenging yet rewarding experiences. I have learnt so much about myself and my own passions and hobbies, I was able to face adversity and adapt myself in order to overcome any obstacles that came my way.





The Student Councillor Role: Advocating for My Peers

Being a Student Councillor is all about representing the student body and ensuring that their voices are heard. I regularly attend meetings, work with university staff, and make sure that important issues affecting students are brought to the table. It’s a role that requires diplomacy, effective communication, and time management, especially when big events or decisions come up.


The weight of representing so many diverse opinions and needs is something I take seriously, and it has taught me the importance of advocacy and responsibility. I want to represent all students across Magee Campus to the best of my ability, so I try to actively engage with students to figure out what concerns they have and help to address them as best as I can. It has been hard to manage this role as there are always so many great opportunities and experiences that sometimes I simply don't have time for. This role has taught me how to learn to say no to things in order to complete other key tasks. 

Department Representative: Bridging the Gap

As a Department Representative, my job is to act as the bridge between the students in my department (Global Business and Enterprise) and the faculty. This means engaging with both students and staff to ensure any concerns, feedback, or suggestions from my peers are relayed to the academic team.



Juggling this role involves attending department meetings, making sure I’m available for student queries, and staying in touch with both students and lecturers. It’s a role that has taught me a lot about communication and problem-solving, as I often need to mediate or clarify misunderstandings between both sides. I also have to prioritise delegating some tasks onto my departments Course Representatives in order to help foster more open channels of communication and help them improve the learning experience for all students. This role has taught me how to communicate effectively. I have had to address several large groups of students such as during induction week and during the course rep training sessions. I have definitely grown into a more confident person thanks to this role and I am so grateful for being elected into this role. 



Full-Time Marketing Student: Staying on Top of Studies

Let’s not forget, alongside all of this, I’m a full-time student! Marketing is a demanding field of study with assignments, group projects, and deadlines that constantly loom over my head. Sometimes, it’s difficult to focus on coursework after a long day of meetings and commitments, but it’s important to find a balance.



What has helped me the most is building strong time-management skills. I’ve learned to prioritise tasks—whether that means blocking out time to study, or organising my meetings so that they don’t clash with lectures or assignment deadlines. It’s all about structuring my week in advance, so I can ensure that nothing gets left behind. I was able to keep my academic record high, and getting to still enjoy my time at University. My lecturers really helped support me through my studies and answered all my questions and helped me in areas I was struggling with. 



Key Strategies for Balancing it All

Balancing all these roles hasn’t always been easy, but I’ve picked up a few strategies that have helped me stay on top of things:

  1. Time Management Tools: I use apps like Trello and Google Calendar religiously to keep track of my commitments. 
  2. Prioritising Tasks: Not every task is urgent, and knowing what needs to be done first helps me avoid burnout.
  3. Effective Communication: Staying connected with my peers and colleagues helps me stay organised and informed.
  4. Self-Care: It’s important to take breaks. Whether it’s going for a walk or setting aside time to socialise, maintaining a balance between work and rest keeps me refreshed.

Final Thoughts

Balancing multiple roles within the university community has been a rewarding experience. Not only have I honed important skills such as leadership, communication, and organisation, but I’ve also learned a lot about myself in the process. It’s taught me how to manage my time effectively and to be mindful of my own well-being while meeting the needs of others.



Whether you're a student juggling multiple responsibilities or simply trying to balance your studies, my advice is to embrace the chaos. It’s tough, but it’s a learning process that will serve you well in the future.

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