Written by Tirza van der Laan 

It is a Saturday morning. The sun is out, the sky deep blue, and birds are singing in the distance. You just had a nice shower, got dressed in a dope fit; totally ready for the picknick. It is one of the first days with good weather in months, causing you to look forward to these types of gatherings even more. You do a final check before you leave the house and –*ping*. A Teams message. Your project mates are requesting a meeting. ‘Bruh, right now?’ You stop for a moment and look at your phone. Well the decision is easily made regarding what you want: to go to the park, chill out with your friends. However, maybe… maybe you can just check a certain document quickly.. right? Otherwise your peers might be bothering you all day with university stuff or they will think you are letting them down in the project. Besides, maybe you are not doing enough; you even moved here for this study...  
- Okay, stop there.   

Separating university from your spare time can be quite a challenge. Especially during covid times in which both environments were completely intertwined into each other. However, while back on campus again, we tolerate more than we should. Setting boundaries regarding your availabilities will benefit you in every aspect. You will establish concrete time frames to dedicate to BUas. This will be clear for your own mind. Let’s say you set your university time frame from 10:00 till 16:00. Within these specific periods, you will be focussed on your projects, since it’s the only time you have. You will be more productive and more concentrated. As far as common knowledge goes; productivity is more valuable than staring at your screen, doing nothing with your mind at other places.  

I hear you thinking; ‘Okay, but what if I also like to socialise with my friends at BUas?’ Fair enough! However, make sure these conversations stay within 10 minutes. If you notice you like spending time with this person, simply let them know. Set your boundary. Explain your goal of wanting to have work be completed at 16:00 and after that you can provide them with your full attention. Most certainly, this person understands your reasoning fully and will be in for this idea. Perfect, because now you can focus and spend time with your friends without feeling guilty. Not to forget: sometimes working together stimulates your focus as well. Try to find a good balance. 

Once you are free, how to prevent your mind from wandering towards university content? It is very understandable you are devoted to university. You probably are even enjoying your projects. However, it is healthy to let schoolwork go and take your mind to different places. To establish this, it is important to have hobbies that make you able to fully disconnect from your life full of obligations..  
Easiest option to reach the goal is to dedicate time on hobbies that are without a phone; no notification pop-up will remind you of university. Try out the more traditional hobbies you did as a child; go outside to play soccer at the park, start to paint with a glass of wine, or watch a nice movie with a big cup of hot tea. Do not hold back because of the thought you will not preform good enough. Simply enjoy the process!  
Another option could be discovering new places. It is fun, interesting, and nevertheless helps you to focus on your current surroundings and creating new experiences. You could call your parents, have a dance off, try-out new recipes, write a story, re-decorate your room, pimp your bike: anything that keeps you present is perfect to prevent your phone notifications.  

All in all, numerous activities can be done in order to spend you free time purposefully without worrying about school projects. Setting boundaries to protect this free time is extremely important. You will have a more productive time at university. And most importantly, you will fully enjoy the relaxing aspects of your student life. Establish a healthy balance!