Contributed by Kayle Riley, Entrepreneurial Leadership Program Cohort 2025; PhD. Biomedical Engineering
Work-life balance in graduate school is one of those phrases that sounds simple in theory, yet is almost impossible to achieve in practice. Between experiments, writing, mentoring other students, and taking professional or career development courses, the boundaries between work and life blur too easily. As a fourth-year PhD student, I have had to learn (and re-learn) the balancing act, and I still don’t get it right.
The Ways I Manage It
Safeguarding Time for the Things I Love
Grad school can quickly consume your every waking thought, so I have consciously maintained space for the things that give me energy outside of the lab. For me, that often involves attending concerts, catching up on K-dramas, or trying out new activities. Obligating time on the weekends (and some weekdays) for these things gives me a break from my day-to-day life in lab and serves as a much-needed reminder that there is more to life than experiments and results.
Embracing Flexibility
One of the benefits of grad school is flexibility. My days are not dictated by a 9-to-5 schedule, so I can structure them according to my own rhythms. Sometimes I work long hours late into the night, and at other times, I work shorter days and leave early. Sometimes I reserve mornings for writing, and at other times, I go to the lab early to get started on the day. That ability to tailor my schedule based on my energy levels is one of the ways I have managed to remain sane.
Saying Yes to the Right Opportunities
Having come from a small college, I was blown away by the numerous opportunities and resources available at the University of Michigan. However, I have learned that every opportunity is not always worth my time. While I still try to participate in many things and would encourage others to do so as well, I say yes to things that align with my values and that I believe will benefit me in the future, and am more intentional about saying no to activities that are of less value to me and would merely stretch me thin.
The Way I Mismanage it
Skipping Meals and Depending on Takeouts
I’ll admit that when I wake up late, I often skip breakfast and frequently work through lunch. Then for dinner, I’ll eat take-out or grab a refrigerated wrap from the 24/7 market. It’s not ideal, but that’s how life goes some days. Balancing nutrition and my busy schedule is still a work in progress, but I’ve slowly been embracing carving out time for grocery shopping and meal prepping on Sundays.
Blurring Boundaries
Because I am passionate about what I am doing, I tend to blur the line between “research time” and “free time.” That can mean responding to emails at night, brainstorming ideas for troubleshooting something in the evening, or catching up on literature on the weekends. I understand the role of boundaries, but I don’t always enforce them well.
Forgetting to Rest
I push myself hard. Sometimes too hard. There are weeks on end when I run full speed, and I won’t stop until I notice I am more tired and sluggish than usual, I start to have headaches from a lack of sleep, and I begin to get sick. That’s usually my body’s way of telling me to slow down, and it forces me to stop. It’s not sustainable, but it’s taught me the importance of scheduling rest, not just waiting until I burn out.
What I’ve Learned
Managing work-life balance in grad school isn’t about achieving a perfect 50/50 split. For me, it’s about noticing when the scales are leaning too far in one direction and adjusting before it’s too late. Some seasons demand more work, while others leave room for life. What matters most is staying aware of how I feel, making intentional choices, and giving myself grace when I fall short of my goals. Because at the end of the day, balance isn’t about perfection—it’s about sustainability.