“Go to school!” “Go get a degree!” “Expand on your education!” These are all quotes and statements that I have heard day in and day out. However, as many times as this was reiterated to me, I never heard of how expensive and time extensive pursuing a degree could be; to the point that it may affect your personal growth in the other aspects of your life. I say all this because, as an individual grows during this time, they need to be able to take care of themselves, pay bills, build personal and professional relationships, and expand in personal growth outside of the classroom. To accommodate this, a helpful solution is obtaining a job to work, earn more, gain experience, and have alongside schooling. Though this is helpful, time management and balance become key in these situations to prevent burn out, being overworked, and being overwhelmed.
In this blog, we are talking about how to balance work and school to be successful in both areas, with proper planning and time management.
- The first strategy is to create a schedule. Creating a weekly schedule that includes all commitments, such as work, classes and other tasks can ensure that this schedule is realistic and manageable so you don’t overwork yourself.
- The second strategy is to prioritize tasks. Start by putting the most important tasks first and moving down the list based on their urgency/priority. This can be done based on their size, timeline, or both. This will ensure tasks are done well and on time, help you with the needs of your schedule, as listed in strategy one.
- The third strategy is time management; use your time wisely! While the first two strategies will help you with this, it can be aided by including an active calendar or planner to make sure that you are staying on track and not wasting time. Don’t waste time on things that are not important first but make sure you get your work done first with the best quality.
- The fourth strategy is communication. Actively communicating with your employer and coworkers, as well as your educational advisor, professors, and colleagues, is key to managing your time. Make sure you’re talking to these individuals to schedule time off, breaks, and shift changes to accommodate your current priorities.
In the end, do your best to take care of yourself to allow for the best experience for this point in your life. Sleeping and eating well, seeing support from your friends, family or academic advisors, and proper planning are all key in making this happen.
