The U.S. Department of Education reports that 43 percent of full-time undergraduate college students also work a second job (1). Of these, 10 percent work 35 hours or more per week, 17 percent work 20 to 34 hours, 7 percent work 10 to 19 hours, and 6 percent work less than 10 hours.
Back then during my undergraduate studies, I worked 40 to 45 hours a week on average to earn my associate and bachelor’s degrees as a full-time student.
In addition to working a full-time job, I side hustled for many hours every week from the moment I started until I graduated. I was turned down for grants and didn’t make the cut for scholarships, so the financial burden weighed on me to pay for all the student-related expenses. Although it wasn’t simple, it is possible.
Managing your time between work and school can be challenging, regardless of whether you work a full-time or part-time job. While some college students who work manage to balance both, many more have significant difficulties.
Stress, poorer grades, poor work performance, and other consequences can result from it. Some people experience so much stress that they decide to drop out of school. Nobody wants that, and you also don’t, I’m sure.
Instead of feeling as like you are being overwhelmed by all that is happening to you, now is the period in your life when you should be evolving and growing.
You can graduate from college and work a job at the same time by finding a way to balance everything.
I did it because I had to support myself while simultaneously trying to graduate with the least amount of debt feasible. That’s the kind of circumstance you might be in, or you might have a family and kids to look after.
I’m going to assist you learn how to work and go to college today, no matter what your circumstances are. Here are some strategies that helped me balance my life, manage my time, keep on top of my schoolwork, and more.
1. Make a detailed schedule for both your classes and work.
One of the most crucial suggestions is to properly plan your academic and employment schedules.
Some students simply take whatever classes are provided. I was one of those students in my first year.
During my orientation, I assumed that the schedule given to me was set in stone. Little did I know, the registrars were available to adjust classes as needed and if it was available. In retrospect, I should have been more tedious about that as I spent most of my day on campus waiting 10 hours for my next class to begin.
Also, my school was out of town, and I was living with my parents to save on costs. So, it would have been a waste of gas and tolls to drive back and forth. I hung in there and spent most of my hours at Barnes & Nobles reading countless books.
That said, it is far preferable to properly plan your school and job schedules so that everything runs smoothly and efficiently, wasting as little time as possible.
Every year after that, I spent a significant amount of time meticulously preparing my academic schedule to ensure that it properly coincided with the courses I needed and my employment schedule.
One approach is to fit as many classes as possible on the same day. You’ll know which days you need to concentrate on your studies, and it can save you time because you’ll be driving to school fewer days per week.
Another strategy was to schedule classes so that I would only be on campus once a day. I accomplished this by avoiding any pauses between my classes. Driving from home to school would simply take up too much time in my day while I was also working.
I also kept track of where these classes were because the campus was quite large. Running to class with barely 5 minutes in between might not have been an option, leaving me to drive from one building to the next.
Some more suggestions to consider:
- Close any gaps that may exist between your lessons. Taking an hour or two break between classes might rapidly add up.
- If you happen to have time off between classes, using it to do your homework and/or study might be a great use of your time.
- Look into when the classes you need are available. If they are not offered this semester, you might inquire with advisors or instructors about future availability.
2. Maintain a to-do list and a regular schedule.
A to-do list is highly useful for working college students. Trying to juggle so many activities at once can make it tough to keep track of everything. Your to-do list will force you to face your responsibilities head on.
The added benefit is that it feels great to tick items off your to-do list.
You can create a to-do list that lists your daily, weekly, and monthly tasks. You can use a calendar, a notebook, Post-It notes, color coded sticker tags, and so on. I recalled using two different planners – one for school and work. These days, with the assortment of digital planner apps at your fingertips, there’s so many to choose from. Simply discover a system that works for you and stick with it.
Balancing school and employment will be lot easier if you create a to-do list and stick to a schedule. Write down what needs to be done every day, which chores are the most important, and so on.
I know that when I’m stressed, I can be all over the place. I tend to forget things and my to-do list allows me to spend less time trying to figure out if I forgot anything.
3. Consider online courses.
Taking online classes while working full-time can be beneficial for many people.
Online college classes can feel very different than in-person ones, but they usually allow you to do the work on your own time.
Most institutions offer online classes, and the same professors will teach them as they do in-person. That implies you’ll get the same quality education, but you might have a better work-school balance.
If your school does not offer the online classes, you are seeking for, you should contact your college to see if you can transfer online credits from another institution. Some people take basic courses online and then transfer them to save time and money.
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4. Inquire with the boss about remote work or hybrid solutions.
This will not be an option for everyone, but it is something to consider if you want to learn how to work while also attending college.
Many organizations have had to send staff home to work remotely in recent years, and they now have stronger processes in place.
Another approach is working longer hours in a day. I worked full-time in the hospital on the weekends, working 16 hours each Saturday and Sunday to be specific. I picked up additional hours in the week to make more cash to cover my expenses. I know it’s a little specific and unusual but it doesn’t hurt to ask your manager for a longer shift set-up if it fits the business hours.
Even if you could work remotely for one or two days per week, it could be quite beneficial as you strive to balance everything.
5. Remove yourself from distractions.
Distractions make it difficult to work or study in normal conditions, but they become even more of a problem when you are attempting to work and attend college simultaneously.
Background noises, such as leaving your television on while studying, can take your attention away from what you should be doing. If you’re attempting to study or do schoolwork, look for a quiet area to do it.
There will be numerous distractions, and if you want to learn how to work and attend college, you must separate yourself from them. I realize it can be difficult, but I also understand how much it can assist in removing them.
You might want to close your bedroom door, visit the library, or do anything else. It may be necessary to force distractions away at times, but this will help you save time and focus on what must be done.
6. When you truly need a break, take one.
You got down the need to get rid of distractions but here’s one skill you will need along the way. There are instances when managing classes and a job can be exceedingly stressful. When you sense the need for a break, take a brief one to help you return to work rejuvenated and focused.
You can go for a walk, read a book, work out, or take a nap. Taking a break when you need it might help you avoid becoming burnt out, which is a risk when juggling studies and a job.
7. Never be embarrassed to ask for assistance.
Since I’ve been there, I know you want to do everything. However, working and attending school simultaneously might be quite tough. You may experience stress, loneliness, exhaustion, and depression, among other emotions.
You will occasionally require assistance, and it is acceptable to request it.
Perhaps you need someone to watch your children for an evening, someone to rant to, or a study buddy. There are people around you who want you to succeed, and I’m sure they’d love to help if they could.
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8. Determine your reasons for wanting or needing to do both.
There are several reasons why you can be working and attending college at the same time. Keep your reason in mind because it might serve as a valuable reminder of why you are working so hard.
According to the research study mentioned in the intro, more than half of college students do not work at all. That means that around half of your undergraduate peers do not work as much as you do.
When you observe those students, it’s easy to feel jealous, stressed out, or irritated. Reminding yourself of why you are working so hard will help you refocus your efforts on school and work.
Your reason could be anything from avoiding student loan debt to caring for your family if you’re returning as an adult learner.
When you’re overwhelmed or weary, you’ll need motivation.
To Wrap Things Up
Going to college while working, whether full-time or part-time, is challenging. It may not be difficult all the time, but you will undoubtedly face challenges. That’s why I think working college students should be realistic. While one person may be able to work tirelessly while also attending college, this is not possible for everyone.
If your grades are slipping, you might consider reducing your work or school hours. What is more essential to you now, and in the future? We can’t always do everything. But being realistic will help you realize your own limitations and avoid burnout.
Begin by reviewing your schedule for both job and education. Make sure your schedule is reasonable and wastes as little time as possible. When attempting to complete tasks, you should stick to a to-do list and a set schedule and avoid as many distractions as possible.
You’ll be able to find greater balance in your life if you follow the ideas, I’ve provided to assist you understand how to work while attending college. Lastly, remember to schedule time for fun, especially with your family and close friends. That’s just as important for your well-being!
Don’t have time for the full article? Read this! Managing your time between work and school can be challenging, especially for college students who work full-time or part-time. This can lead to stress, poor grades, and poor work performance, which can lead to dropping out of school. To balance both, it is essential to create a detailed schedule for both classes and work.
Some students take whatever classes are provided, which can lead to wasted time and wasted resources. Properly planning your academic and employment schedules is crucial for a smooth and efficient experience. One approach is to fit as many classes on the same day, avoiding pauses between classes and keeping track of class locations.
Additionally, close any gaps between lessons, use time off between classes for homework or study, and inquire about future availability of classes. By following these strategies, you can successfully balance your life, manage your time, and keep on top of your schoolwork while balancing your work and college life.
To balance school and employment, create a to-do list and schedule using various tools like calendars, notebooks, and digital planner apps. This helps in focusing on daily tasks and avoiding forgetting important ones.
Consider online courses for a better work-school balance. Most institutions offer online classes, and transferring credits from another institution can save time and money. If your school doesn’t offer online classes, contact your college to see if they can transfer credits.
Inquire with your boss about remote work or hybrid solutions. Many organizations have implemented stronger processes for remote work and working longer hours in a day can be beneficial. Asking for longer shifts can also help balance work and college.
Remove distractions, such as background noises and background noises, from your workspace. Find a quiet area to study or do schoolwork,and separate yourself from distractions to maintain focus. By following these tips, you can create a successful work-life balance for college students.
Take a brief break when needed to avoid burnout when managing classes and a job. Engage in activities like walking, reading, or working out to stay focused.
Don’t be embarrassed to ask for assistance, as juggling work and school can cause stress, loneliness, exhaustion, and depression. Seek help from friends, family, or a study buddy.
Identify your reasons for working and attending college, as it can help you refocus on both. Remembering your reasons can help you avoid feeling jealous or stressed, and motivation can be crucial when feeling overwhelmed or weary.
Working college while attending is challenging, but realistically balancing work and education is essential. Review your schedule, stick to a to-do list, and avoid distractions. Find balance in your life by focusing on your education and spending time with family and friends.
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