Working part-time while in college is a good idea if you’re struggling financially or want to gain a little more experience before entering the workforce. But how do you manage to balance work and study?
It’s important to remember that both work and study are big commitments to your time and focus. As such, you should think carefully before undertaking any new workload. More importantly, you need to manage your work and study schedule carefully so as not to be late for college.
To help you understand what it takes to have a healthy work-study balance, we’ve created this quick guide on how to balance part-time work and study!
Plan your workload
First of all, if you want to start a new job (or keep an old one) while studying full-time for your degree, you need to plan ahead to keep it.
At the start of each semester, create a timetable so you know what to expect. on campuswhen major assignment dates and exams are posted on the academic calendar.
From there, you can figure out where your free time is. You can communicate this to your employer and arrange a work shift when it is convenient for you.
We’ll talk more about communication and its importance shortly.
build a routine
Once you have planned your semester workload, it is important to set aside time each week between lectures and seminars to plan when you will study.
Hit pause and look at what you expect your tutor to read in a given week, in terms of textbooks and case studies, and estimate how long it will take you to complete that reading or project.
Then you need to put that work between your class and work schedule. The easiest way to do this is to carve a regular spot in your daily (or weekly) calendar, reserved specifically for college work.
If you’re lucky enough to have a week where you don’t have to use that time, you’re lucky. But having that built-in learning slot helps you stay focused on your routine.
get in touch with your employer
Continuing to work part-time while studying relies heavily on communication and support. When accepting a job offer, immediately tell your employer that your priority is studying.
Let them know that as a result, you may need a little more flexibility during certain times, such as: test season. Ask if your employer is open to last-minute shift changes, occasional remote work (depending on the job), and other ways to help avoid schedule conflicts.
After all, those who don’t ask don’t get it. You may be surprised to learn that many employers are willing to help you graduate from college.
use holidays wisely
If you have a job that gives you time off, use that time wisely to support your studies.
For example, if you have a looming deadline for a large project, you might consider using a few days of your annual leave to spend more time completing that project. If you’re well-organized, you can even combine paid time off with public holidays so you have plenty of time off to focus on your classes.
set goals
Have you heard of SMART Goals? SMART is an acronym for Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, Time-Bound.
Experts say we should aim to make all our goals SMART goals. Because when you set SMART goals, you’re more likely to stay on track and focus on the big picture. How they fit into the big picture is absolutely important.
Know what you can realistically achieve in a given week, both at work and in school, and set realistic SMART goals based on those achievements.
For example, you can set a goal to complete all assigned reading material within two weeks, or write a mid-term essay outline within a week of completing your assigned reading material.
take care of yourself
You may not know it yet, but burnout is real (trust us).
Overbooking yourself in an attempt to please everyone can quickly exhaust you. If you do that, your work relationship and your studies will be ruined.
The best way to avoid burnout is to take some time and plan for yourself. Just because you’re free on a Friday afternoon doesn’t automatically mean you should call your shift manager and ask for an extra shift. It’s important to empty your diary slots, relax and enjoy a little downtime.
Taking care of your relationship is just as important. You need to make time to spend with friends and family who love and support you. After all, it can be difficult to balance work and study. You need someone you can trust with whom you can talk, hang out, and vent your stress.
If you feel like you’ve gone too far and need to talk to someone, you can always Contact the Student Services Hub Sterling here. Our team is available to provide all kinds of advice and resources, or listen when you need a chat.
let’s get to work
It’s important to remember that this list is not exhaustive. No student is 100% the same, so you may not have the same work/study balance as your flatmate.
that’s ok. This is about establishing routines, goals, and relationships that work for you. Contact Careers and Employability ServicesYou can give resume advice and introduce internships and part-time jobs.
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