I'm so happy to be studying abroad in Sydney, Australia! Of course, I want to make time to explore, meet new people, and enjoy the incredible places here—but I also have a business to run, a job, university, and competitive powerlifting. Here’s how I make it all work without missing out—and how you can, too!
Introduction
I'm incredibly grateful to be studying abroad in Sydney, Australia. With so much to explore—beautiful beaches, breathtaking hikes, a vibrant city, and of course, the AMAZING Australian coffee—I want to make the most of my time here. But at the same time, I have a lot on my plate: running my freelance web development business, working a part-time software development / RnD job, keeping up with university (postgraduate in computer science), and training for competitive powerlifting, all while staying connected with friends and family back home.
Finding the right balance between getting things done and actually enjoying life is something I’ve put a lot of thought into.
If you’re juggling multiple priorities—whether that’s work and travel, studies and a side hustle, or just making time for your passions—this post is for you. I’ll walk you through my routine, how I structure my weeks, and how I balance structured work with flexibility to stay both productive and present.
This isn’t about cramming more tasks into your day—it’s about getting the important things done while still leaving space for adventure, spontaneity, and fun.
Let’s dive in! 🚀
Core Strategy: Time Blocking
With so many priorities, I need a system that keeps me on track without feeling overwhelmed—and that’s where time blocking comes in.
Rather than working from a vague to-do list, time blocking means scheduling specific tasks into dedicated time slots. I plan my work, university, training, and even free time in structured blocks, making sure everything fits—while still allowing room for flexibility.
The best part? It shows me at a glance whether my time actually reflects my real priorities—and lets me adjust when needed.
I won’t go into too much detail here, but if you want a deep dive into how I use time blocking to stay productive without burning out, check out this post:
👉 How I Manage to Do Everything I Love: Time Blocking Tips and Personal Insights
I also wrote about work & travel strategies in another post:
👉 How I Stay Productive While Traveling
That one covers my experience during my first trip to Australia, an 8-week adventure where I balanced running my business with exploring new places—without the added complexity of university. If you’re curious about a more flexible, travel-heavy approach, you might enjoy that one too! It also covers more of the fundamentals and less of the strict planning I will cover in this one.
How I Structure My Days and Weeks
Time blocking helps me allocate my time intentionally, but the key to actually making it work is how I structure my days and weeks. Here's how I plan everything to make the most of all worlds.
Step 1: Locking in Fixed Commitments
The first step in my routine is scheduling the non-negotiable tasks—things that happen at fixed times, such as:
✅ University lectures – These set the foundation of my weekly schedule.
✅ Work-related meetings – Since I work both freelance and part-time, I schedule these first to avoid conflicts.
Once these are locked in, I can build the rest of my schedule around them.
Step 2: Scheduling Training for Maximum Impact
Training is a huge priority for me—not just for self-improvement but also because the team atmosphere in Australian powerlifting gyms is something I’ve never experienced before. To make the most of it, I align my training times with when the powerlifting crew is there—usually in the early afternoon around 3:00 or 3:30 PM.
I train five times a week (Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday, Sunday), so I schedule my gym sessions accordingly. This helps me:
✔️ Train at peak energy levels
✔️ Be part of a motivating gym community
✔️ Make training a non-negotiable part of my routine
Step 3: Planning Study & University Work Efficiently
Since my lectures happen at fixed times, I rework and prepare for them immediately after they happen. Instead of letting study tasks pile up, I schedule a 30–90-minute session right after each lecture—so I can review the material while it’s still fresh.
For a 2-hour lecture, my time block looks like this:
📌 2 hours for the lecture
📌 90 minutes afterward to review & complete assignments (with a short break in between to reset)
This way, once I’m done, that lecture is fully completed for the week—no last-minute catching up.
At the end of the week (Friday), I schedule a final study session to:
✅ Wrap up anything left unfinished
✅ Prepare for the upcoming week
Step 4: Structuring Work & Business Tasks
Since I have both a part-time job and my own freelance business, I structure my work sessions to maximize focus and efficiency.
🔹 Freelance Work – I prefer long, deep-focus sessions over scattered 1-hour blocks. I dedicate one full 10–12-hour day (like today, while writing this post!) to business tasks, working in long, concentrated sessions with short breaks in between—often a walk, quick run, or coffee break.
I’ve found that long, deep-focus sessions work best for me, but some people prefer shorter sprints with more frequent breaks—find what keeps your energy up!
In addition, I have a few shorter 1–2-hour blocks spread throughout the week for smaller business tasks.
🔹 Part-Time Job – Since I have a (roughly) set number of hours to complete each week, I plan them in advance and usually schedule them in the mornings, right after my routine check-ins with friends back home.
To keep things productive but enjoyable, I often switch up my work environment:
☕ Cafés & Rooftops – Changing locations keeps me energized, and working in a good atmosphere makes deep work more fun.
📚 University Library – A focused vibe, great seating, and amazing city views make it one of my favorite places to rework lecture notes.
💻 Business Work Saturdays – On these long workdays, I always include a session at one of my favorite cafés (greetings from Mecca Coffee, enjoying one of the best espressos I’ve ever had while writing this post hihi).
Step 5: Making Time for Travel & Fun
What’s the point of being in Australia if I don’t explore? 🌏 I make sure to schedule both short and long trips into my week—so I can get things done and enjoy the amazing places around me.
Shorter Trips (1–2 hours):
✔️ Perfect for weekdays after training
✔️ Quick getaways to beaches, city lookouts, or skyline views
✔️ Helps me transition from intense training to a relaxed state
📌 Example: After a heavy powerlifting session, I love heading to a scenic spot to unwind—often bringing my dinner with me for a dinner-with-a-view moment.
Longer Trips (Half-Day to Full-Day):
✔️ Scheduled on Sundays and Wednesdays
✔️ Sundays: Train early, then spend the rest of the day traveling
✔️ Wednesdays: Work or study in the morning, then explore in the afternoon
If urgent work or study tasks come up, I adjust my schedule—but I try to always make sure there’s time for at least one proper adventure every week.
Step 6: Eliminating Distractions & Staying Present
I want to enjoy both work and travel, so I focus on cutting out distractions:
🚫 No notifications – I turn off any notifications and also mobile data for WhatsApp, Instagram, and emails.
📵 Phone-free moments while traveling – I keep my phone away when exploring to fully enjoy the experience.
At the same time, I also make time for social check-ins:
✔️ Morning & evening – I catch up with friends and family twice a day so I don’t feel disconnected, but still can stay away from my phone the rest of the day.
Step 7: Weekly Planning & Adjustments
Every Sunday, I:
🔹 Review my upcoming week
🔹 Adjust my schedule if needed
🔹 Make sure my priorities are balanced
Each morning, I quickly check my plan, pack what I need, and prepare for the day. While I allow flexibility, I stick to my plan as much as possible—because I know I’ve scheduled time for everything that matters.
Key Takeaway: Work Can Be Enjoyable Too
Balancing work and travel isn’t just about squeezing in productivity—it’s about making work itself enjoyable.
I create a work environment I love by:
✅ Working in nice cafés, rooftop spaces, or libraries
✅ Taking small breaks to enjoy the city
✅ Using my student apartment’s setup for deep-focus sessions
By making work enjoyable, it’s easier to stay productive without feeling drained—allowing me to fully enjoy travel, training, and social life too.
Final Thoughts: Balance is Possible
By structuring my days intentionally, I can:
✔️ Get things done efficiently
✔️ Stay consistent with training & work
✔️ Still have time to explore & enjoy Australia
I hope this post gives you some ideas to create your own balance—wherever you are or want to be in the world! 🚀
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