Written by Annamaria
29 Apr 2025
There are days I feel like I’m drowning, between classes, work shifts, laundry piles, and the guilt of saying no to my friends. I used to blame myself for not having it all together. I’d look around and think everyone else was managing their life in Sweden better, staying on top of deadlines, planning their meals in advance, and still showing up to every social event and every lecture. Meanwhile, I was just trying to get through the week without falling apart. But I’ve realised: this isn’t failure. It’s part of learning how to live. I am writing this post for those students who also struggle with time management and those curious how to learn from the mistakes of others. These tips are slowly helping me, so I hope they will be useful for you too.
Mindset shift
Sometimes, I feel like I’m not doing anything fully. If I focus on studying, I neglect my social life. If I prioritise work, my academic progress suffers. If I try to rest, I feel like I’m wasting time. No matter how hard I try to balance everything, I still feel like I’m missing out somewhere.
I used to spiral into a mindset of guilt and frustration but I’ve been trying to shift that mindset. Instead of blaming myself for not being perfect at everything, I’ve started to practice something that’s honestly harder than it sounds: self-compassion. The truth is, I’m learning. I’m adjusting. I’m trying. And so are you. Time management isn’t just about having the right planner or waking up at 5 AM. It’s about understanding your limits, knowing what matters most to you, and giving yourself space to get it wrong sometimes.
So here’s what I’ve learned so far:
🧠 Accept that you can’t do it all
There are only so many hours in a day and not all of them need to be productive. Sometimes, you have to choose what matters most that week. Maybe it’s your health. Maybe it’s a paper. Maybe it’s showing up for a friend. Letting go of the idea that you have to do it all helps ease the pressure. And no, you’re not lazy.
⏰ Plan but stay flexible
I’ve learned that a basic weekly plan helps me feel grounded (I use Google Calendar btw), but I also leave space for things to go wrong or take longer. I try time-blocking or writing 3 non-negotiables each day instead of long, unrealistic to-do lists. When things shift (because they always do), I try to adapt rather than panic. I am not saying that it’s always effective. 😀
🧑💻 Plan time for recovery
Working while studying is tough. I used to push myself to achieve all deadlines on time and then go straight into study mode, thinking I could squeeze it all in. But without recovery time, I’d burn out fast. Now, I am trying to build in rest on purpose, even if it’s just one quiet hour after work to breathe, stretch, or scroll guilt-free. This is how I embrace ‘lagom‘. I am also slowly learning that you can always explain to your employer that you are still a student and (if you’re like me) finishing school is your priority. In Sweden, people tend to be very understanding about this.
🙋 Say no to say yes
This one’s hard. Social life is important, especially when you’re living abroad or building new connections. But saying yes to everything left me drained and disconnected from myself. I’ve learned that saying “no” is not selfish, it’s how I protect the energy I need to show up fully for the people and priorities that matter most.
To conclude…
If you’re struggling to keep up, whether with deadlines, time, emotions, or even just motivation, you’re not alone. And you’re not behind. Time management is a life skill, and life skills take time to build. You don’t have to be perfect at it now.
Even if you failed an essay, missed a deadline, or skipped another event you said you’d go to, it’s okay. You’re learning. And learning is messy. Keep going. Keep adjusting. Keep being kind to yourself in the process.
You’re doing better than you think.
If you are just moving to Sweden, make sure to read this survival guide. Good luck! 😊
