Striking a balance between work and study life is stressful and challenging. Students who work try to juggle assignments, classes, social life, and tough job routines. Many students work to pay their college fees and loans, while some take up part-time jobs to enhance their CVs. Working full time and studying full time sounds cool, but ultimately, dropping out of university or school might be the end result. Handling a job and studying requires a good level of planning and dedication. Many students do not work during their academic career, but many work and study simultaneously due to multiple reasons. Students who work during their studies have financial control. They get many other skills, such as time and stress management and other professional qualifications. Most students feel pressurized when they are working and studying simultaneously. They can follow these tips to manage this pressure and ultimately study and work effectively.
Create a study plan:
A study plan is an organized schedule that outlines learning hours and goals. Following the plan can help you to achieve your target easily. A study plan is effective for navigating your self-study progress. It tells you how much time you spend on your study, assignments, quizzes, co-curricular activities, and sometimes social engagement. Use a digital calendar or paper for making a study plan. Figure out the difficult or boring subjects and give them time accordingly. Plan the subjects you want to study on specific days, like Biology on Monday and Maths on Wednesday. Add small breaks if you have long study sessions to prevent yourself from being overwhelmed.
Online Classes:
Advancement in technology has changed the mode of studying from physical classes to online learning, where you can get certifications in basic courses to PhDs. For example, many institutions now offer online MSEE programs so anyone interested in advancing their engineering education, for instance, can get a learning experience tailored to their schedule. In online classes, you can participate in projects and discussions and interact with your classmates virtually. Online courses are mostly self-paced, so you can schedule your working hours easily without worrying about the commute. Many students cannot pay the high fees of universities or colleges or travel to campuses. Hence, they can take advantage of online classes because not only do they save time and are less stressful for professionals, they are extremely cost-effective as well.
Prioritize your health:
Being physically and mentally fit is the key to success. Regardless of their age, students who work and study need to take special care of their health. Instead of studying late at night, try to study in the morning. Getting proper sleep can boost your immune system and improve your memory. A balanced diet is important to remain active throughout the day. Try to eat nutritious food and avoid junk as much as possible. Stress is a part of life, and you can manage it to enjoy a healthy lifestyle. There are different ways to decrease stress. Getting enough sleep (7-8 hours), exercise, yoga, regular breaks, walking, and a healthy diet can help you get rid of stress.
Get a dedicated study place:
When you are working and studying together, you are already stressed, and having a distracted study place can amplify this problem. Distractions in life can move you away from your goals. In the end, these can leave you stressed when you have pending tasks. A dedicated study desk or study place will help you focus on your task and sharpen your mind by improving concentration. This dedicated study place could be in your home, library, university, or a coffee shop. The aim is to concentrate!
Talk to your manager:
Inform your manager at work that you are attending school or university, which will allow them to understand your elevated stress levels. Maintain a good relationship with your manager so that they can accommodate you easily when there’s an examination or unscheduled class. Tell them honestly how you are managing study and work. Be straightforward about your availability because university students have several tasks to complete. If you have high-stress levels, you can take time off from work by informing your manager. Communicate effectively. Make sure that you and your manager are on one page. Share your schedule with your manager. In this way, you can get their attention, and they will consider you as someone dedicated and honest.
Start socializing:
Socialize with people because it can benefit you mentally and physically. Spend time with those who are close to you. Don’t remain saturated with stress. Share your problems with friends, family members, or a partner. Interacting with others can make you happier and effectively lowers the level of dementia. It is beneficial for brain health. Socializing increases your communication skills and boosts your cognitive skills and memory. Connecting in person is more beneficial than connecting online. The following are benefits of having an active social life:
- Better mental and physical health
- Lower risk of dementia
- Improves communication skills
Ask for help:
Don’t hesitate if you want help. You can ask for help from your friends, family members, mentors, or even coworkers. Visit doctors or psychologists if you are mentally upset. There are many people in our life who are ready to help us when we are stuck in a difficult situation. Find someone who can help you and guide you. Stress and challenges can affect your mental health. Share your problems with people who can help you in such situations.
Conclusion:
Simultaneously studying and working can be challenging. Celebrate your achievements. Having fun with hard work can make your journey less stressful. Your energy and time are precious so use them wisely. Don’t invest in things that are not important to you or your career. You cannot avoid stress if you are working and studying at the same time. Taking necessary measures to decrease stress can help you live a healthy life. Find your comfort zone at university and workplace, and remove distractions. Turn your stress into motivation and enjoyment.
