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While the start of a new year is a common time to consider our academic goals, it is equally important to consider our academic boundaries. We might strive for higher test scores, a better GPA, or a higher grade on a paper, but how far are we willing to go to meet those goals? Setting academic boundaries is an important part of our educational experience. Boundaries allow us to focus on our priorities and set limits that will help us succeed in reaching our long-term goals. By establishing boundaries, we reduce our reliance on academic validation or letting a grade impact our personal sense of self-worth. 

Elaine Ulsh (2023), a student at Ball State University, writes about her craving for academic validation and declares that “no one should have to feel like they aren’t worthy for not getting a 100 percent on a test” (para. 36). Ulsh (2023) insists that “grades are just a number on a paper or a screen and don’t say anything about who we are as people” (para. 44). I couldn’t agree more, and I encourage online students to consider the following 5 boundaries: 

1. Establish an Endpoint 
2. Reserve Time for Rest 
3. Protect Your Energy 
4. Make Time to Maintain
5. Designate a Support Network  

Establish an Endpoint

Before launching into your next study session, establish a time that you will stop working on your coursework. When that time comes, it doesn’t matter if you still have a chapter left to read or haven’t finished drafting that paper. Turn off the computer, close the textbook, and put away your course materials. Avoid the temptation to work until you feel a paper is perfect or that you have memorized everything that might possibly be on a test. Instead, look ahead to your next study session and prioritize what you need to work on when that time comes.

Reserve Time for Rest 

Our bodies are not machines, and our brains can not work their best when we are sleep-deprived. Designate a time to rest. This might include not going out past a certain time, choosing a day to take completely off from work and school, turning off the TV and any other screens at a specific hour, and establishing a nightly routine and bedtime. 

Protect Your Energy

We all have limited energy to spend. We need energy for our families, our jobs, our schoolwork, and all our other activities, so it is important that we protect that energy to use on the things that matter most to us. To that end, try to avoid conversations or media that you find triggering. This might also mean that you avoid discussing certain topics with some people. For example, I have a very close friend who is on the opposite end of the political spectrum than me. I love her dearly, but I have to avoid discussing anything political or the social time that is meant to feed my soul ends up leaving me feeling drained, exhausted, and frustrated. It isn’t always easy, but I need that energy for other things. 

Make Time to Maintain 

Consider your self-maintenance and self-care as essential parts of your schedule. Make time to eat nutritious meals, maintain your personal hygiene, exercise, and practice self-care routines like journaling, massage, therapy, meditation, or even time-outs to listen to music that relaxes or inspires you. Your study sessions will be more productive if you come to them well-nourished, focused, and relaxed, and making time to maintain a healthy lifestyle will help you avoid the harsh impact of missing school or work because you are sick. 

Designate a Support Network 

None of us can do everything on our own. We need each other. Your family and friends need you, and you need them. Beyond designating time for your work and studies, be sure to designate time to spend with your loved ones. For example, establish an endpoint to your study session that allows you to spend an hour of uninterrupted time with your children before their bedtime. If possible, you might plan another study session after they are asleep, but avoid working or trying to multi-task throughout the entire evening at home. In addition, determine who you will turn to and communicate with that person whenever you are feeling overwhelmed, stressed, or anxious. This might be a close friend, a therapist, a family member, or someone at your local church. 

The work of establishing boundaries is difficult, and it may be harder still to enforce those boundaries. Alisha Durosier (2024), a student at the University of South Florida, insists that “to avoid having your boundaries crossed, once you set them, you must continuously enforce them” (para. 17). Durosier (2024) maintains that “while boundaries are prone to change, for your well-being, try your best to preserve them. That includes showing your boundaries the same respect that they demand from others” (para. 17). Durosier’s advice highlights the way our boundaries set limits that impact others while also setting limits on our own behavior. No all-night cram session will bring a student closer to perfection, so establish an endpoint, reserve time for rest, protect your energy, make time to maintain, and designate a support network. Study hard, then turn it off and go spend time with whoever makes you smile. 

Until next time, this is Dr. Linscott with another Learning for Success podcast. Happy Learning! 

References

Durosier, A. (2024, September 13). How to set healthy boundaries in school, work, life, and relationships. University of South Florida. https://admissions.usf.edu/blog/how-to-set-healthy-boundaries-in-school-work-life-and-relationships

Ulsh, E. (2023, April 10). Establishing boundaries with academia. Ball State Daily. https://www.ballstatedaily.com/article/2023/04/opinion-academic-validation-self-worth?ct=content_open&cv=cbox_latest