Working and in the meantime trying to get a degree has several benefits. One of the most important is obviously that of receiving income; in addition, keeping two or more programs in balance can help increase your discipline and productivity in general. However, working and studying can be taxing, hindering good performance in both areas. Luckily, there are tactics to juggle perfectly.
Steps
Method 1 of 5: Start Working While Being Students
Step 1. Look for job opportunities in your department
For example, if you are studying anthropology, ask if part-time positions are available. In larger universities, some departments offer jobs in various fields, such as administration.
- Working in your own department also allows you to get to know the faculty and other students better, and you can also keep up to date on all the opportunities related to your study path.
- Alternatively, ask your favorite professors to recommend entry-level jobs that fit your interests. They may be aware of certain vacancies because they have helped students in a similar situation to you in the past, so they may recommend a potential employer to you.
Step 2. Look for a job designed specifically for students
Many universities offer positions that give you the opportunity to work and study at the same time. Some of them are associated with grants or scholarships that help cover student expenses. In some cases, these jobs are reserved exclusively for those who are enrolled at the university. The types of jobs and the specific requirements they entail vary from institution to institution. Start looking for a position by informing yourself about the opportunities offered by your faculty or by the regional right to education body.
- These positions are not only specific to students - they are more likely to fit the classic commitments of a person studying. Your employer will know your situation well, so they will take this into consideration when scheduling shifts and if certain issues arise.
- For example, a student may work in a library or in a university residence.
- Always keep up to date to immediately become aware of the opportunities for students who want to work.
- You can ask for information at the orientation office of the university or at the regional institution for the right to study.
Step 3. Consider your weekly hourly load
If you decide to devote time, money and energy to your education, study should be more important than work. It is therefore essential to honestly evaluate how much time you have available to work. Fortunately, you can consider several options from a business perspective.
If working part-time all week seems too much to you, you could always work during the holidays
Step 4. You could avoid work when you have to go to class
For example, if you are enrolled in an extremely demanding degree program, such as law or medicine, you may want to focus on your studies and pay the bills with the help of your family by applying for a loan or a scholarship. Similarly, if you want to avoid working during your studies, you could postpone university enrollment and work full-time for a year to save money.
If you are enrolled in a highly competitive degree program and your academic performance will affect your job search, it is best to prioritize your studies so that you can get a suitable job. If you've applied for a loan and are disciplined, getting hired right away will allow you to pay it back faster
Step 5. Remember all the benefits a job can give you
If you do not know if it is convenient for you to study and work at the same time or if you want to work more to gain experience than to earn income, you have to consider some factors. The knowledge of the world that you can acquire through a job is often considered as valuable as a degree (if not more). Many employers prefer a candidate to have both, so starting to gain experience in a company can make it easier for you to find a job after graduation.
While work and education are completely different, a job allows you to gain experience, such as learning to prioritize responsibilities, communicate better, and so on
Step 6. Try to give repetitions for income
It is in fact one of the most immediate opportunities to work during your studies: in some cases it is possible to earn quite well. You could also tutor other students, especially if you know a language that many people at your university study.
Method 2 of 5: Start Studying While Being a Worker
Step 1. Consider the study load you can handle
You need to make sure that the time, energy, and money investing in studies is worth it. In fact, you may be able to spend less time on your work or you will have extremely busy days. For example, if you are enrolling at a university for a master's degree and in the meantime you have a job that you enjoy and that can allow you to develop a career, you may want to give priority to employment.
- Some students work full-time and study part-time. It is an advisable route for short studies.
- Check with the secretariat or guidance center of the university you are considering to learn more about courses and solutions for working students.
Step 2. Recycle what you know
If you have a good job, you probably want to stick with it and maybe even aspire to a promotion. A degree can help you pursue professional goals you have longed for. Fortunately, you can integrate your work experience into academic subjects.
- For example, if you need to monitor your company's social networks for work, you can probably use the knowledge gained in the field to prepare for marketing exams.
- When choosing a topic for a project, be inspired by your work. For example, if you have been asked to design a new marketing campaign, you could model it on your company. You will earn points with both the teacher and the boss.
Step 3. Inform the boss
You don't have to tell him everything you do outside the office, but if you know you will have academic responsibilities, you might want to talk to him right away. You should remind him of the exam dates, especially if you study part-time and work full-time. Notifying him as soon as possible will make it easier to organize with professional commitments and time.
Step 4. Consider changing jobs
If you can't help but work but also want to study, you may want to move to a more flexible or fewer hours of employment. You can look for a job that allows you to continue to have income and give you more time to study, especially if the job you have now is unlikely to allow you to make a career.
- For example, many service sector jobs allow you to work only in the evenings or on weekends. As a result, you will have the opportunity to go to class.
- You could work as a bartender, or as a waiter in a restaurant or bar. Sometimes these jobs are tiring, but they get you a good hourly wage and you are unlikely to take the job home, so they won't be a distraction.
Method 3 of 5: Routine to Optimize Productivity
Step 1. Keep a detailed schedule
Get in the habit of making a weekly plan and make sure you take the time to study every day. You can use a calendar, agenda or software. Vary your study hours to fit in with other commitments, including work, physical activity, and private life.
Step 2. Plan to dedicate yourself to various academic commitments
As soon as you are given an assignment or given an exam date, plan specific time blocks to prepare yourself. Sometimes you have to adjust work schedules to make sure you're free the night before a major project or exam is delivered.
- At the beginning of the semester, open the schedules of all the courses you take and write the deadlines on a diary, so you don't forget important dates.
- You can try studying for an hour or two before or after a work shift.
- Once you have established an effective weekly schedule, try to stick to it. For example, don't take a shift that would end up overlapping the studio unless you can catch up the next day.
Step 3. Try to have a collaborative relationship with your colleagues
Nowadays, technology allows you to communicate easily and exchange information in real time. Not only has this made collaborative study possible, it has also made it more useful. That said, it's best to see you personally with your colleagues from time to time and work together on the most difficult topics.
- When preparing your weekly agenda, include collaborative study meetings - for example, you might see your colleagues at the faculty every Thursday afternoon.
- Take advantage of online bulletin boards, often made available by the university itself. If not, create one and invite your colleagues using their email addresses.
Method 4 of 5: Studying with Profit
Step 1. Find or prepare a permanent place to study and concentrate
Peace of mind and silence are essential for a qualitative study, which is particularly important for those who work and do not have much time. From a strategic nook in the library to your bedroom desk, make sure you use your study time productively by choosing a distraction-free environment.
- Avoid rooms with televisions or other devices that might distract you.
- If there are other people around, turn off your cell phone or put your headphones on. If you listen to music, choose the instrumental one to promote concentration.
- Get used to keeping everything you need close at hand in the place where you study or in your backpack.
Step 2. Try to plan several study sessions per week
You may be tempted to run a marathon or two a week to complete all your academic commitments. However, memory and concentration work most effectively when you study one or two hours at a time. Therefore, don't try to do everything in one session.
- To be consistent, make it a habit to study at the same time 4-5 times a week.
- A constant study schedule also promotes greater productivity. Concentration will improve, as your brain will already know that you will be studying at a certain time of the day.
- If you study regularly, you can skip a session from time to time, as long as you catch it up as soon as possible.
Step 3. Study with a specific goal in mind
You will avoid postponing, plus the study will be more productive. Sitting down with a particular task or goal will guide you and help you focus. Another useful tactic: If you have to do several tasks, you should start with the most difficult or important one.
- Since understanding difficult concepts involves more mental effort, deal with them now when you are fresh and focused. The simpler and more repetitive tasks can be done later, at the end of the session.
- Review your notes before you start studying or doing a project. Before starting, it is very important to fully understand the specific requirements, the learning objective and the assigned tasks.
Method 5 of 5: Psychophysical Wellness
Step 1. Take your time to unplug
In other words, don't neglect your leisure time. You may think you don't have time to waste, but it's important to take a break to recover: you can't study and work non-stop. See your friends to do something together - the more dynamic the activities, the better.
- Take breaks even on particularly busy days. Go for a walk and leave your cell phone at home. Try not to think about work or study. Instead, enjoy the sun, the breeze, the color of the leaves, the details of a monument that you have never noticed before …
- Aim to work or study for about 50 minutes, then take a 10-15 minute break before continuing on for another 50 minutes.
- Take a trip after a busy time, whether it's visiting a big city or going camping. Leaving will make you unwind, and in the meantime the wait will make you dream and remind you that something good will happen soon.
Step 2. Exercise
To stay fit and concentrate fully, take care of your body. Specifically, try to do 3-4 30-minute cardiovascular workouts each week. If you don't have time, try waking up a little earlier and go for a run to start the day on the right foot.
It's hard to get used to moving at first, but try to be consistent. Soon you won't be able to do without it
Step 3. Get enough rest
You will often be tempted to stay up late, stay up late to study, or prepare a presentation. However, getting enough sleep is often more important. Everyone has different needs, but generally try to get 8 hours of rest a night.
- Try to calculate how many hours you should sleep specifically. As soon as you get the chance, go to sleep three days in a row without setting the alarm, so that the body adjusts itself. The hours you sleep on these nights will be indicative of how much you should actually rest.
- Try to get at least 7 hours of sleep a night.
- If you happen to sleep late on the weekend, then you are not getting enough rest during the week.
Step 4. Eat with the goal of being healthy and energetic
A busy lifestyle often leads to fast and poor eating. Instead of rushing to fast food at lunchtime, walk into a supermarket and buy a tub of hummus with veggies or a salad. Also buy some fruit to eat as a snack: it is a healthy and energizing snack.
- You have breakfast. Not only does it give you the energy you need to get off to a good start, it also promotes optimal metabolism. Try eating whole grains and Greek yogurt, sweetened with honey or fruit.
- Bring healthy snacks, such as plain or lightly salted nuts.
Step 5. Know your limits
If you are constantly under stress, tired or out of shape, you may want to slow down a little. Whenever you feel overworked, try to take one or more days off. Take the opportunity to rest and focus on studying. If, on the other hand, the study load is affecting your professional performance, contact your degree program coordinator for advice or plan to take fewer courses the following semester.
