I’m Maria (She/Her), a third-year student here at Queen’s majoring in Global Development and minoring in Psychology. I’ve been part of the SASS blogging team since 2023, and if you’re new here, welcome! It’s really nice to have you reading along. I’m originally from São Paulo, Brazil, and before starting at Queen’s, I completed a diploma in Advertising and Marketing Communications at St. Lawrence College. I’m also a mature student, which means I’ve taken a longer path to get here. Like many students, I’m still figuring things out as I go.
Outside of school and work, I spend a lot of time doing pole classes—a sport that blends gymnastics, strength training, and flexibility. Think climbs, spins, and sometimes being completely upside down, all trying not to fall while looking as graceful as possible. It’s challenging and intense, but it’s one of the few places where I can fully switch off my school stress and just focus on movement.
One of the hardest parts of being a student who also works has been managing my time. I used to think that putting in more hours at work meant I was being responsible, especially with tuition and living expenses always on my mind. But that left me exhausted and barely able to keep up with my coursework. I wasn’t exactly procrastinating; I just didn’t have energy left. Eventually, I realized that I needed to approach how I spent my time differently if I was going to make this work.
That’s where SASS came in. I started using the Assignment Planner, which is one of the most helpful tools I’ve found. You enter what kind of assignment you’re working on along with the start and due dates and it gives you a step-by-step plan to guide you through each stage. It takes the guesswork out of what to do next, which is so helpful when your brain is juggling a million things. Along with that, I’ve been learning to block off realistic study time, take proper breaks, and actually build in room to breathe. Not every week goes smoothly, but I feel more in control than I used to.
This semester, my academic goal is to get better at writing and editing—really putting time into shaping my ideas, not just rushing to meet deadlines. I want to become more intentional about how I approach assignments and less dependent on that last-minute adrenaline. It’s a process, but I’m hoping to make some progress and share what I learn along the way.
If you’re also balancing work, classes, and life, or just trying to keep your head above water, please remember that you’re not alone. University is tough, and it’s even tougher when you’ve got extra responsibilities on your plate. But there are people who want to see you succeed. It’s okay to ask for help, and it’s okay to not have it all figured out yet. We’re all doing the best we can, and that’s more than enough.
Thanks for reading, and I’ll see you around.
— Maria