Rechencka Gumbs
Rechencka Gumbs is a 24-year-old student who currently resides in The Hague and is in her second year of a 3-year program studying Physical Education at The Hague University of Applied sciences. We spoke about how she manages to balance her school and personal time, what pushes her to stay motivated and we touched on some other topics as well.
What advice do you have for students trying to balance work, school, and a personal life?
I think the way you manage it definitely depends on the person. For me, it’s all about delegating my time properly. I only work on the weekends so that during the week I can put all my focus on school. I set aside two hours a day dedicated fully to school work, depending on how much I have to do it might last longer but no matter what the two hours a day is a guarantee. This way when I’m working on the weekend or if I’m with friends I can be in the moment and not constantly thinking about all the work I still have to get done. That’s what works for me.
Are there any tips about studying or school, that you wish you’d known earlier?
I learn by process elimination. I tried different ways of studying and scheduling my time until I found what worked for me. My biggest advice for everyone would be to do the same. For example, I study at night more than during the day because I focus better at night. If I have a long day at school, less gets done at home but more gets done at school and vice versa. It’s all about trial and error.
What do you think your greatest strengths and weaknesses are as a student?
Weaknesses: I can get lazy quickly, so I try to get started on school work as early as possible to prevent laziness from setting in. That’s also where the two hours a day timeframe comes in. I know I have this two-hour timeframe and if I don’t get any work done than I am fully accountable for any bad results.
Strengths: I’m organized. I like to organize my work by priority and deadlines. I do this so that I can get the highest quality work done in the amount of time I have.
What motivates you when school is hard?
Thinking about the end goal! Anytime school becomes overwhelming I take a step back to remember the full picture. I think about how good it’s going to feel knowing that I pushed through all those obstacles to reach my end goal. What also keeps me motivated is knowing that when I graduate and I am holding my diploma in my hand, all the stress and doubts of the past will have been worth it. Looking ahead is the best way to push through.
Any advice for anyone in their first year of college?
Mentally prepare yourself for the roller coaster of it all. There’s going to be ups and downs. The most important thing to keep in mind is that if you’re struggling, talk to someone about it. If it can’t be your parents go to friends, teachers, or school counselors. Never feel like your struggles are a burden if you need to talk to someone do it. It usually helps more than you could imagine. Don’t be afraid to ask for help and don’t be too hard on yourself!
I hope you enjoyed this post and I hope to see you again next time!
– Lenifa Priest