Balancing work with study can seem like an impossible juggling act at times. But it can be a lot easier than you may think.
Here are some essential tips for balancing work and study:
Plan and prioritise
To be able to balance your work and studies, it’s absolutely essential to take the time to plan and prioritise your weekly schedule. How many hours a week do you need to devote to your work? How many hours a week do you need to devote to your studies to effectively go through all the required course materials and work on any assessments?
Plan your week in your calendar, blocking out the times of day you’ll need to be at work, and the times of day you’ll be able to devote to your studies. Set up calendar reminders to notify you when it’s time to sit down and set time aside to focus on your studies.
Remember, while you may be juggling work, study, and other personal commitments, not everything can take top priority at the same time – you can’t do everything at once. So, know when something needs to give – whether it’s saying “no” to a social outing, getting someone to take over the housework for the week, or postponing a weekend getaway – and prioritise your schedule accordingly so that you can comfortably fit in both your work and studies.
Communicate your needs
It’s important to be open with your manager, family, friends, and others in your life about how you’re trying to balance your work with your studies, and how it’s important to you to make sure you’re able to effectively balance both.
A supportive manager, partner, family member or friend will understand this – and be mindful to be as accommodating as possible. Whether it’s by offering flexible working arrangements, taking over the household chores, or postponing a night out on the town, communicating your needs to the people in your life will greatly help to alleviate the pressure of balancing your work with your studies.
Don’t burn yourself out – take some time to relax
While it’s important to make sure you’re fitting in enough time for both your work and studies, it’s also important to check-in with yourself each week and make sure you’re not in burnout mode.
Making sure you’re getting enough sleep, taking adequate breaks, eating well and staying active are all great ways to manage your stress levels and avoid feeling like you’ve burnt yourself out.
If you feel like you’re on the verge of burning out, step away from your computer, get outdoors and go for a relaxing walk, or do whatever it is that helps you to switch off and unwind. Once you’ve taken the time you need to relax, you can come back to your weekly schedule and reorganise and reprioritise so that you can avoid burnout in the coming weeks.
With these tips for balancing work and study, you’ll be easily able to effectively and comfortably balance these two important parts of your life, without having to deal with unnecessary pressure or stress.
