Relocating to a new country while managing the final stretch of your academic journey is no small feat. It’s a unique combination of emotional and logistical challenges, often leaving you juggling between closing one chapter and preparing for the next. Having lived through this when transitioning from Vietnam to the UK and from the UK to Spain, I know how overwhelming it can be—especially when you throw in a final thesis and a looming move deadline.

With my campus rent coming to an end, I had to find temporary accommodation while waiting for my flight to Spain. I then had just one week between submitting my thesis and catching that flight, followed by another week to settle in before starting my traineeship program. In this post, I’ll not only share my journey but also provide time management strategies and productivity tips that helped me through this busy period. Whether you’re a student finishing your degree or a young professional facing similar transitions, I hope these tips will guide you.

Reflecting on My Journey: Preparing for the Move and Final Thesis

It’s hard to believe it’s already been three weeks since I arrived in the beautiful city of Alicante, Spain. After settling in, establishing my routine, and starting my traineeship, I finally have a moment to reflect on those frantic final days in the UK. I was simultaneously packing three weeks in advance, selling my belongings, hunting for accommodation in Spain, and wrapping up my final MBA thesis. Talk about having a full plate!

Those last few weeks were a whirlwind, but in the end, everything came together. Now, I give myself a well-deserved pat on the back because I made it through. I credit a lot of my success to the time management techniques I developed throughout my year in the UK, and I’m excited to share these methods with you. They not only helped me stay productive but also kept my stress in check.

Time Management Tips for Young Professionals and Students

1. Plan Early and Consistently: Don’t Wait Until the Last Minute

One of the most important lessons I learned during my time in the UK was the power of planning ahead. Whether you’re a student in your final year or a professional gearing up for a major career change, starting early can make all the difference. I recall from the induction day of my MBA, our dean gave us one piece of advice that I took to heart: start thinking about life after graduation NOW, not when the course is over. It’s easy to get caught up in the here and now, but planning your next step early gives you more control over your future.

For me, this meant consistently dedicating time to thinking about my career path, exploring opportunities, and preparing for potential outcomes. I didn’t just focus on my immediate tasks—like thesis deadlines or coursework—I also considered my long-term goals and kept my options open. This is what I have come up with Proactive Preparation Paves Paths to Possibility.

For you, students in your final year, this could mean:

• Researching job markets in the countries you’re considering moving to.
• Updating your CV months before graduation.
• Applying for internships or traineeships well before deadlines.
• Even practising interviews for jobs or further studies you might be interested in.

2. Control the Input, Not the Outcome

A valuable lesson I learned from operations management is the idea that garbage in, garbage out. The quality of the input you provide determines the output. This applies to your efforts in both academic and personal life. While you can’t always control the outcome of a job application, an exam, or a relocation, you can control the effort you put into each stage of the process.

Let me illustrate this with a simple cooking analogy: If you use poor-quality ingredients to make pasta, you can’t expect the meal to taste great. It’s the same in life. You can’t control every outcome, but you can control the quality of your input. If you prepare poorly, don’t expect good results. For example, if you spend only two days studying before an exam, your performance likely won’t be as strong as if you had studied consistently over the course of a month. The more effort and consistency you invest in the process, the better prepared you’ll be.

So, when I was working on my final thesis, I knew that cramming everything in at the last minute wouldn’t produce my best work. Instead, I chipped away at it every day, dedicating a set amount of time to research and writing. Doing a little each day might feel slow, but the cumulative effect is powerful. By pacing yourself and setting smaller, achievable goals, you can create steady progress and avoid last-minute stress.

In practical terms:

• If you’re studying for an exam, start revising early. Even if it’s just 30 minutes a day, it adds up.
• If you’re preparing for a big move, don’t wait until the week before to start packing. Begin decluttering and organising early, so that when the time comes, you’re not overwhelmed.

3. Calendar Tools: A Lifesaver for Staying on Track

Calendars are my lifesaver when it comes to staying organised. I’ve always been an advocate of using both digital and physical calendars. The beauty of digital tools like Outlook or Google Calendar is their flexibility—they’re perfect for integrating academic schedules, work shifts, and personal tasks. But there’s something grounding about having a physical calendar or planner visible in your workspace, where you can see everything laid out at a glance.

During my final months in the UK, I synced my class schedule, work shifts, and important deadlines across my digital calendars, while also keeping a physical calendar on my desk. This practice gave me a clear visual of how each day, week, and month would unfold. I colour-coded my tasks—assignments in one colour, work shifts in another, and personal commitments in yet another. This helped me quickly see where my time was going and ensured I didn’t overbook myself. Recently, there have been AI tools like Motion to help you organise your tasks and activities effortlessly, if you are into AI, you can also give it a try.

One trick I found helpful was scheduling “buffer time” around major deadlines. Life is unpredictable, and giving yourself wiggle room to accommodate unexpected delays or challenges helps avoid last-minute panic.

Here’s how you can apply this:

• Schedule weekly “review” slots where you assess your progress on major tasks.
• Set reminders for important milestones, like final submission deadlines or major moving tasks.
• Give yourself at least 1-2 days of extra time for each major task. This could be finishing your thesis or packing for a move—anything where unexpected hurdles might pop up.  No one can truly predict everything in advance, so always keep in mind to include the “buffer time” in your planning activity.

4. Scenario Planning: Prepare for Multiple Outcomes

When you’re facing big transitions like moving abroad, scenario planning becomes invaluable. During my MBA, I embraced scenario planning as a way to anticipate different possibilities and prepare accordingly. For example, in my case, I planned two major scenarios: (I actually had 4 scenarios planned out but for the simplicity of this article’s purpose, I would stick to these two)

• Scenario 1: I would be accepted into the Traineeship Programme at the EUIPO in Spain. This would involve preparing for a visa, packing for the move, and transitioning into a professional role in a new country.

• Scenario 2: If I weren’t accepted, I’d stay in the UK, apply for a 2-year post-grad visa, and search for full-time work there.

Both scenarios involved significant planning, especially since my rental contract in the UK was ending and my thesis deadline was looming. I had to be ready to move no matter the outcome. Financial planning, paperwork, visa applications, and packing timelines were all part of this process.

If you’re in a similar position, try thinking through different potential outcomes (and always focus on the big picture):

• What happens if you don’t get the job or traineeship you’ve applied for?
• What’s your backup plan for accommodation if your first option falls through?
• If you are like me, you would also want to consider a backup plan of a backup plan.
• How will you handle financial logistics if your plans change?

5. Start Early to Avoid Last-Minute Chaos

I started packing early, even though I had months before the actual move. My reasoning was simple: I wanted to avoid the stress of last-minute packing while also focusing on my thesis. By beginning early, I had time to sort through my belongings, decide what to bring, sell, or donate, and stay organised.

Some people thrive on last-minute pressure, and if that’s you, great! But for those who find last-minute tasks stressful, like me, I recommend starting well in advance. When you plan early, you leave room for flexibility. I had moments when unexpected issues came up (like selling off my books and monitor or waiting for paperwork), but because I had prepared early, I wasn’t overwhelmed.

In practical terms:

• Start packing essential items weeks in advance. For instance, I began by packing books and clothes I would need based on the climate of my destination—Alicante, Spain—which is significantly warmer than the weather in the UK.
• Have an ongoing list of what needs to be done and check things off as you go. This will reduce the likelihood of last-minute panic.

6. Flexibility is Key: Expect the Unexpected

While planning is crucial, so is flexibility. No matter how well you plan, things will rarely go perfectly. My first ten days in Spain were chaotic. I had to change accommodations four times before finally settling into a lovely shared apartment. Having a backup plan and staying adaptable helped me navigate these changes without too much stress.

The lesson? Expect the unexpected. Give yourself room to adapt to circumstances beyond your control. Whether it’s moving to a new country, submitting a final thesis, or transitioning into a new job, staying flexible will help you handle whatever comes your way.

Final Thoughts: Discipline, Planning, and Taking Action

As I reflect on my final month in the UK, I’m reminded of how essential proper planning and discipline were to my success. Balancing the demands of completing my MBA thesis with the complexities of relocating abroad was no easy task, but with a clear action plan and consistent effort, I made it through.

Now, I’m embarking on a new journey in Spain. This year feels like an extension of my training—a chance to put everything I’ve learned from my MBA into practice in a real-world international business environment.

Take Action and Stay Focused on Your Journey

By sharing my experience, I hope I’ve inspired you to take action toward your own goals. It doesn’t matter where you are in life—whether you’re finishing school, starting a new job, or relocating to a new country—you can achieve anything with proper preparation, consistent effort, and the willingness to adapt to change.

If you ever need guidance or support, feel free to reach out to me. Together, we can find ways to make your journey as smooth and successful as possible.

All the best, Namaste.