From Uni Life to Creative Life: Is balance possible?

Life on Study Break

We’re all managing a plate full of tasks, jobs, family/friends committments…meanwhile, still having a constant desire to do the ‘thing’ you really love in-between it all.

I’m on uni study break atm — funny thing is I thought to myself “oh it’s going to be so sweet, being able to sit and watch a TV show”…little did I know my brain would not have a off-switch & makes me feel guilty for doing nothing.

It’s like every creative idea I’ve put off during the trimester. Every moment I am free, when I could be working. All the times I wished I had more time to be with family or my partner. All rolling in at once.

I’ve just moved out of home into a new city with bigger opportunities, a louder energy, and more space to explore who I am outside of uni and work. It’s exciting… and overwhelming at the same time.

Best thing I found to be helping me manage the extended list of ‘To-Do’s’ is:

• Figure out my priorities

• List them on paper or on a document

• Set out my plans on my Google Calendar

• Find pockets of time, whether specific or general

• Schedule in my hobbies in like I would any shift, uni class, study session

This has helped me prioritise the things that fill my cup, and show myself I value those things as much as everything else on my calendar. I am writing this blog during my scheduled ‘artist’ session. Show respect to yourself, you have hobbies and dreams, you are fortunate. Some people have no direction or understanding of what they want to do in life. Be grateful to yourself for it. Be kind to yourself in the process. I would say I haven’t publically displayed myself as a ‘musician/artist’ sooner due to doubt.

And I love this quote: “Doubt kills more dreams than failure ever will”.

HOBBY vs STUDY

By day (or night, let’s be real), I’m studying to become a nurse. But deep down — in every spare moment I can find — I’m a singer, DJ and love doing hyper-realistic sketching. Sometimes I am reluctant to call music, singing, DJing a ‘hobby’; because it’s part of how I process the world; it’s more than a ‘hobby’. Whether I’m mixing tracks, singing in the car, or just building a playlist that matches my mood, it feels like the most honest version of me.

Balancing these two worlds — nursing and music — can be challenging, which means I’m never bored. Studying, meant music went on the back burner. Study break, meant I could spontaneously decide to start up a personal website, dive into different genres to DJ, write songs, and sing. One is structured, intense, full of emotional weight - and I love it. The other is expressive, open-minded, creative. I need both. Nursing grounds me in real human connection, while music helps further that human connection.

Just remember. . . You can do both.

Keep re-evaluating the scale and adjust the weight of each side to continue your hobby vs study/career balance.

Using This Time to Reconnect with Music

Being on study break gives me space to lean into creativity without the background noise of assignments and exams. I’ve been using this time to explore sound, vocal tones, experiment with mixes, and reflect on the kind of artist I want to become. I’m not rushing it — but learning to take it step by step.

To kick start my new life in the city:

• Attend free social events to develop & build my network of likeminded friends

• Schedule in time to work on music & art

• Personal creative space at home to retreat to

• Clear clutter for a clear mind & reduce procrastination

And so on…

The Little Wins Matter

Some days I feel pulled in different directions. Some days I just want to sleep. But most of all, I am learning just appreciate the little wins

• Performing a mix I’m proud of

• Singing something to a camera & posting it

• Letting myself rest without guilt

• Saying yes to things that make me nervous (like sharing more online & going to events alone)

• Write something new

• Start producing

• Look at places to do gigs

• Have sets on a USB in my bag

NOBODY HAS IT ALL Figured Out

So if you’re also in a season of transition — studying, working, building a creative dream on the side — know that you’re not alone. This is the in-between space where things begin to form. This is the journey to the top, rememeber to enjoy the process.

You don’t have to have it all figured out. Take each day as it comes.