When I first arrived in Russia back in 2022 as an international student, I had big dreams — excelling in my studies, getting new experiences, and of course travelling across this vast country. Everything felt fresh and full of possibilities. I spent weekends discovering cozy cafes, wandering around Nevsky Prospect, and making spontaneous trips with friends. Fast-forward to the final year of my Master’s at ITMO and reality hits differently: life has become a whirlwind of deadlines, responsibilities, and a never ending to-do list. Between writing my thesis, working, organizing events, and deadlines with the ever-growing urge to travel before leaving Russia, I often ask myself: how do I juggle it all?

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Managing studies and work without losing my sanity

Being in my final year means my thesis demands a significant chunk of my time. Research, analysis, and writing require deep focus, but at the same time, my work commitments can’t be ignored. I also work as a freelancer in the content marketing and translation domain, which means I need to switch between research mode and creativity mode constantly. Some days, I spend hours analyzing data and writing reports, other days, I am brainstorming creative social media campaigns or translating literary materials. The mental switch is exhausting but necessary.

Looking for a solution, I’ve found that scheduling is my best friend. I use Google Calendar religiously, blocking time for specific tasks — mornings for deep-focus thesis work, afternoons for work-related tasks, and evenings for classes. But to be honest, there are days when even the best schedule fails. A sudden work deadline, an unexpected research paper publication, or just sheer mental exhaustion can throw off my entire plan. And that’s okay. One lesson I've learned? It’s okay to say no sometimes. I used to accept every opportunity, but now I focus on what truly aligns with my goals and energy levels.

The art of balancing health

With so much on my plate, my health often takes a backseat. There have been weeks when I survived on coffee, skipped meals, and slept less than five hours a night. But I soon realized that burning out would only slow me down in the long run.

Now, I make it a point to cook at least one healthy meal a day, take short walks between tasks, and practice meditation and yoga at home. A simple 15−20 minute stretch or a walk around the block does wonders when I feel overwhelmed. Recently, with my Indian friends (who study at another university) we have kind of made it a weekly ritual to cook a lavish Indian style dinner at least once. I’ve also made peace with the fact that sometimes, rest is more productive than working non-stop. Sleep is non-negotiable — especially when my brain needs to function at full capacity. I've even started using sleep-tracking apps to ensure I get quality rest.

The urge to travel before I leave

Despite the stress, there’s this constant voice in my head reminding me that my time in Russia is running out. The more I think about it, the more I realize that I haven’t explored enough. I want to see more of Moscow beyond Red Square, experience the Northern Lights in Murmansk, and take the Trans-Siberian Railway at least once.

But with limited time and resources, I’ve learned to plan strategically. Weekend getaways are my best bet, and I prioritize destinations that don’t require too much planning, with the trip to Pavlovsk being the most recent one. I also try to combine work and travel if- I have remote freelancing tasks, I make sure to schedule them around my travel plans so that I don’t fall behind. One of my favorite travel memories is from a cozy cafe hunt in Moscow that ended up with finding Cafe Pushkin. I found myself standing in a time capsule, surrounded by surviving elements and decorations from the building’s long vivid past, including intricate work on the walls and ceilings, a cast-iron grille, and paintings on the ceilings. It felt like the perfect balance of productivity and adventure.

Is it worth the chaos?

Some days are exhausting, and I wonder if I’ve taken on too much. There are nights when I collapse onto my bed, unsure if I have the energy to do it all again the next day. But then I remind myself of why I am here in the first place. I came to ITMO to grow, to push my limits, and to experience life beyond my comfort zone. Every challenge I face — whether it’s a deadline with my thesis submission or the guilt of skipping a hangout — is a part of this learning journey.

So, to every student struggling to balance it all, I see you. I know how hard it is to juggle academics, work, health, and the desire to make the most of your time abroad. My advice? Plan smart, take breaks, and most importantly, enjoy the ride. After all, we’ll only be students for a little while longer. What about you? How do you balance everything? Let’s share our experience and make this final stretch a little easier for each other!

Thank you so much for reading! Feedback is always appreciated.