Because of these harsh economic conditions, many students hold part-time jobs while going to school. No wonder, with today’s high tuition fees! But combining education and employment is not for everyone, and balancing the two can be tricky. Trying to balance work and school is difficult task so the following tips will help you get by.
1. Create A Flexible Schedule.
Some parts of your schedule are going to be inflexible, such as class times and work days. Fit homework and studying in when you’re not in class or at the office. Build a routine that you can stick to, but are able to adjust if other important things come up. Be ready to adapt to new assignments, unexpected errands, and sudden work crises that need to be addressed immediately.
2. Get A Calendar.
Write out what you need to accomplish each and every day. When you accomplish a task, check it off with a pen. This way you’ll be able to still see how much you’ve accomplished, while keeping your future tasks organized. Keep your calendar posted where everyone can see it. That way, they can avoid making plans that involve you during times when you aren’t available.
3. Get Organized.
Keep your school materials organized and in one place so that it will be easy to find them. Mark upcoming deadlines on your calendar and start school projects early to allow sufficient time to complete them in case other things come up in the meantime. Same applies to you work.
4. Keep Work And School Separate.
Don’t worry about work while you’re at school, and vice versa. Focus on one thing at a time. Don’t bring your books or notes to work and don’t bring work stuff to school. The time you are at each place is dedicated to that endeavor. If you work hard at work, you shouldn’t feel guilty for focusing on school when you are at school.
5. Take Those Much-Needed Breaks.
Give yourself time to collect yourself when you need it the most, so you can return to work/school with a clear head. Go for a walk. Read a newspaper. Make some tea. Try to take breaks every couple of hours, but limit them to 5 to 10 minutes. You don’t want to turn them into time wasters.
6. Be Active.
Stretch. Swim. Run. Lift. Maintaining a healthy lifestyle helps relieve stress and you’ll find that the more you get out and exercise, the easier work and school will seem. Exercising is commonly known to reduce stress.
7. Be Realistic.
There may not be enough time for everything, so get your priorities straight and don’t beat yourself up if you don’t accomplish every single task you’ve set out to do on a given day. Stay positive and be thankful that you have the opportunity to make a living and get an education.
8. Remember Why You’re Doing It.
By taking on work and studies at the same time, you’re accepting a challenge that many wouldn’t dare attempt. But, you wouldn’t be doing it if you weren’t motivated. Maybe you want to pay your way through school and remain debt-free or you want to get ahead in your career.
9. Allow Others To Help You.
If you try to accomplish all of this by yourself, it will be infinitely more difficult. If you find yourself increasingly irritable, withdrawing from social interaction, distracted or forgetful, anxious, or emotionally strained, talk to someone. One of the first steps to success is knowing how to depend on others.
10. Keep Your Momentum.
Don’t start and stop. Taking a semester off may seem like a fine idea, but only do so for extraordinary circumstances, such as illness, serious injury, or a death in the family. If you find you are tiring of school, reduce your course load for the next semester and take at least one class that you’ll enjoy. Otherwise, you risk losing the momentum and never returning.
