After Work: Exercise vs. Studying – Which Is Better?

I couldn't give up either, so I decided to split my time. Right after work, I do 30 minutes of exercise (treadmill or cardio), then shower and study for an hour. It was tough at first, but after two weeks it became a habit and felt fine. I focus on side projects on weekends.

Have you tried making use of your commute time? I listen to certification lectures on the bus and work out for just 30 minutes after work. I can't do either perfectly, but doing a little bit at a time makes me feel less like I'm falling behind.

I gave up on exercise... I feel more anxious about not studying than about my back pain. Instead, I make up for it by hiking or cycling on weekends to maintain my stamina. On weekdays, my routine is to study for an hour after 9 PM and then go straight to bed.

I recommend exercising first. When your energy is drained, studying isn't efficient either. I fill my exercise quota with a 20-minute walk or stair climbing during lunch, and then study for just an hour in the evening. If your back hurts, Pilates videos are also a good option.

I do both, and the key is setting a 'minimum time.' 20 minutes for exercise (full-body stretching + plank), 40 minutes for studying. If you're too greedy, you won't last long, so starting small is important. For side projects, I aim for once a week.

If your back hurts, exercise is the answer. I used to be at risk of a herniated disc because I sat for long periods, but after walking for 20 minutes after work and doing lower back strengthening exercises, the pain decreased. As for studying, I wake up 30 minutes early before work to get it done.

I had a similar concern, so I started prioritizing exercise first. It was because of severe back pain, but once I began with light stretching or 30-minute home workouts, my concentration actually improved. As for studying, I switched to cramming it all on weekends.