Students in Hong Kong are known for having an intense and packed schedule. A typical day for students might look like this: wake up at 6 a.m., go to school from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m., followed by extracurricular activities and tutorial classes late into the evening, and finally, a pile of homework and extra exercises that’s still waiting to be completed when they get back home. It’s no surprise that students often feel exhausted and burnt out at the end of the day. 

A survey conducted by Baptist Oi Kwan Social Service between November 2023 and April 2024 found that overall well-being levels among Hong Kong students are only average, with a mean score of 2.63 out of 5. About 20% of respondents exhibited moderate to severe symptoms of depression or anxiety. This should raise a red flag for the well-being of students in Hong Kong and there’s a great need for healthier study-life balance. 

Study-life balance means striking a balance between academics and personal life, which includes social activities, hobbies and self-care. Maintaining a healthy balance is vital for enhancing students’ overall well-being as it helps to reduce stress.

Tips for maintaining a healthy study-life balance:

• Take breaks from studying: When tests and exams are coming up, students tend to spend every waking moment studying and cramming. However, it’s important to take breaks to refresh your mind and relieve the stress that has been building up. Even a short fifteen minute pause can make a difference!
• Make time for things you enjoy: It can feel like a no-brainer to fill up our whole day with studying and academic-related activities, but in order to become a well-rounded student, making time for things other than studying is crucial. Whether it be reading a book for leisure, playing sports, spending time with friends – all of these help to build up skills other than academic knowledge. 
• Have a support system: Students often feel isolated when they go through stressful moments – make sure to reach out to your family, friends and even teachers when your studies become overwhelming.