Ultimately Muhammad

Find the right work-life balance!

By Muhammad RT

My name is Muhammad Rehan Tahir. I currently study BSc (Hons) Medical Science  at  Anglia Ruskin University (ARU).

My Journey to University 

I applied to university via UCAS, and ARU was my insurance choice. I have a deep interest in understanding the complexities of the human body and the science behind medical advancements. My course offers an extensive curriculum that covers a broad range of topics ranging from physiology, biochemistry and pharmacology. In all honesty, I was not familiar with the university at all, so I did not know what to expect. However, I was pleasantly surprised with the support and the facilities available at ARU.

I currently serve as the Brother’s Secretary for the ARU Islamic Society.  This experience has improved my leadership and communication skills by learning how to organise events and engaging with the community. Especially when organising for speakers and facilitating community outreach. Through balancing coursework with my extracurricular activities, I have learned the importance of effective time management and I have built my resilience by adapting to the university’s environment.

Reflections on my experience so far...

Being at university has helped me grow academically and personally. I have gained a greater understanding of the complexities of the human body and the science behind medical advancements. It has helped improve my time management. Before university, I thought I was good at time management (as I had been good at managing my time during my GCSEs and A-levels). I really struggled during my first year at university as I was juggling coursework and other commitments but having an organized schedule really helped me. All I would say is don’t stress too much about university but just make sure you get an idea of the workload so that you don’t get overwhelmed! By having an organized schedule, I was able to control and effectively manage my workload. Being at university has profoundly shaped me. It has taught me resilience, adaptability and self-discipline. I am optimistic and excited about my future. Being at university so far has equipped me with valuable skills for the future. I feel confident in my ability to manage my time effectively and handle multiple responsibilities.

My Ultimate Tip 

My ultimate tip or piece of knowledge that has helped me navigate university is finding a healthy work-life balance. University life can be incredibly challenging, but it is very important to find the right balance between your academics and personal/social time. It is important to prioritize your mental and physical well-being by scheduling regular breaks and engaging in extracurricular activities (such as joining societies). Joining societies can help you make new friends, relieve stress and develop new skills.