When I was in college pursuing my MBA, I juggled multiple part-time jobs while managing my studies simultaneously. I had a student loan to pay off and had to sustain myself financially. It wasn’t entirely a bed of roses, and I’ve made mistakes along the way as well. But I have thrived and survived in the end.
And if you’re treading the same path, I’m not going to promise that it’ll be easy. But what I can do is share some insights that will help you manage your studies and your part-time work commitments. So, let’s take you through these insights right now.
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Keep yourself (and everyone) informed
If you’re working on a part-time job, your work and study schedules will inevitably crash at some point. To avoid this, you should let your superiors and colleagues know of your schedule well in advance. This means class timings, tests, and group study sessions should all be flagged and added to the calendar as soon as possible. If you give your employers prior notice well in advance, you’ll be able to avoid prioritizing work over your studies.
University or college staffs are aware that many students work part-time jobs and have financial commitments. Hence, if you find yourself struggling to meet deadlines due to work getting in the way, ask for advice from the student center at your institution and arrive at a solution.
Don’t leave things to the last minute
You won’t perform your best at work or in class when you stay up all night completing an assignment or studying for a test last minute. Break down your papers into small steps or objectives and check them off as you achieve them. This way, your assignment or work will have better quality, you’ll be able to reduce your stress levels, and you’ll keep performing well in your job and studies.
There are countless productivity apps out there designed to help students make the most of their study time. For instance, Forest is a brilliant app that allows you to manage distractions innovatively. Once you turn on the app, it’ll plant a virtual tree. When you don’t touch your phone, the tree begins to grow. But if you check your phone before the timer goes off, you’ll kill the tree.
Create and follow a routine
Following a routine helps you stay on top of your priorities and the amount of time you need to get things done. The more detailed your calendar is, the more clarity you have on your schedule. Make sure to fill in everything, including work times, class times, study time, due dates, appointments, and other commitments.
This way, you’ll know when you get some free time so that you can schedule social engagements accordingly. You can also color-code your schedule for your convenience by having a different color for each task you need to complete.
Make productive use of your free time
If you’re managing your studies and work simultaneously, it may seem that you have no free time at all. However, you must use the free time that you have constructively as this will allow you to balance your job and your college course more efficiently.
For instance, you can read a book (it doesn’t have to be a textbook) on the way to work if you’re a commuter.
Find a comfortable place to study
When it comes to the ideal time and place to study, everybody has their own preferences. Whether it’s at the library, or a quiet coffee shop, or your bedroom at night, find an area and a suitable time for studying that will work for you.
Make sure you use that time and space you prefer wisely. Where you decide to study is as important as the way you approach your studies. Drive any distractions away, like turning off your phone, opine the eminent essay writers online. Get everything you need before you start studying, so you don’t need to pause in-between to find a pen.
Don’t over-commit to your work or studies
You have to be realistic about the time you need to devote to work and when studying. The college program you enrolled in has to be taken into account when you also plan to take up a part-time job.
When it comes to studies or work, it isn’t uncommon for students to take on more than they can handle. Having a part-time job comes with its share of challenges and expectations. And if you include education in an already busy schedule, it’ll just escalate the amount of pressure. Remember that you can’t handle too many responsibilities at once, and that’s alright.
Manage stress effectively
Studying and working simultaneously is stressful, but there are plenty of ways to deal with stress. You need to figure out what works for you. Activities like practicing yoga, breathing exercises, or meditation can all immensely reduce stress and comes with benefits for both your physical and mental health.
Reducing stress is necessary when you want to stay focused and productive and will ultimately assist you to perform well at work and in your studies. Most education institutions will have student services and support staff to converse with if you’re struggling to manage stress.
Pamper yourself from time to time
Having a hectic work schedule and study sessions will inevitably lead to stress and anxiety now and then. So, how do you handle your stress in a positive way manner? You can join a gym or head out for a walk a couple of times a week since physical exercise is a proper stress reliever.
You can also maintain a journal, listen to calming music, visit a restaurant nearby, etc. Try to invest at least 30 minutes of your day in doing something you enjoy as a way to lower your stress levels.
Find part-time jobs in your chosen area of study
If you can search for part-time jobs in your chosen area of study, it provides an excellent way to balance your studies and work. You can utilize the knowledge and skills you learn from your colleagues at work, and what you learn from work can help with your studies.
Moreover, you’ll get relevant experience early on, and both studying and working will be fun.
Parting thoughts,
Coping with the pressure of your college education and part-time jobs isn’t easy. But when you use these insights, you’ll definitely find it convenient to continue your studies and work. These practices have worked like a charm for me, and it’ll be the same with you.
