Time Management Tips for Balancing College and Work
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Whether attending college straight out of high school or returning to school later in life, many college students find themselves overwhelmed by the demands of balancing work and school. Even with the financial assistance of student loans or grants, it is often necessary for students to maintain employment during college in order to make ends meet and uphold financial responsibilities. |
Whether you work full time and are a part time student, or work part time and attend college school full time, it is too much for most people to do both full time. Being a part time student may cause you to spend longer completing your degree, but preventing overload will have a positive impact on both your grades and your work performance in the long run.
When you are juggling the multiple responsibilities involved with college and work, it is crucial to stay organized and know your schedule for each in advance. Simply feeling that you have a lot to do without having set aside the time to accomplish specific tasks can make your workload seem overwhelming, even when realistically you have plenty of time for everything. Know your work schedule at least a week or two in advance, as well as the projects, assignments and tests coming up in each of your classes. Then schedule time to cover all of your responsibilities, and stick to the schedule. If your study habits mainly consist of night-before cramming sessions, a new approach is critical when you have a work schedule to consider.
One effective way to establish balance in a lifestyle driven by paychecks and GPAs is to imagine your time in blocks, and focus your attention only on the activity you must accomplish during that block of time. Resist the temptation to worry about an upcoming Calculus test while you are at work, and likewise, try not to get distracted thinking about work issues when you are in class. Schedule the blocks of time you need for each activity, such as working for five hours, and studying for an upcoming test for three hours on a particular day. Avoid planning your only study time at an unreasonable time, such as after a twelve hour workday. Consider the physical and mental demands of your job, and arrange a schedule that is balanced such that you can focus completely on the task at hand.
If you are in college for the first time and are not attached to a particular job, an on campus job can provide great flexibility and convenience as an employment option for students. Through on campus employment, you may get lucky and find a position in which it is acceptable to study while on the job, such as running the help desk at the school library.
Regardless of how well you plan and perform in work and school, doing your best in both is undoubtedly a challenge. After all, if it were easy, everyone would have a degree or three. Even with the demands of working toward a degree while advancing your career, not to mention family and a social life, perseverance is critical to success. Maintaining focus on achieving your short and long term career goals is a good way to stay motivated on a particularly hectic day.
Author: Evelyn Saunders
Site: student-loans.net
