Tips for Balancing Work and Study as a College Student

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Student Lifehacks
balancing work and study

A lot of college students get jobs for various reasons. It could be in order to get some work experience or earn some extra cash. For some, it’s a necessity because their college tuition may be just too expensive. Some students immediately go for multiple jobs depending on how urgently they need the money. So how is it even possible to handle multiple jobs and school at the same time? If you’re not careful you might burn yourself out before mid-quarter and have to drag yourself to the university. You start to fall behind on responsibilities and your grades go downhill. There’s the potentiality of this leading to chronic stress, and let’s not even talk about the consequences of that.

The key to success is being able to balance work and study and also have enough time to look out for yourself. It might sound like a myth but it is quite possible. The life hack is to understand the way you work best, your optimal balance between work, school and play, and how to handle intense periods of stress. We at Booksrun found some useful tips that have helped countless other students just like you to cope with balancing these two responsibilities. Check it out!

Proper Time Management

time management skills
Designed by kues1/ Freepik

Whether you’re working a full-time job or you take online courses, there’s nothing more precious than your time because you can’t afford to waste it on anything trifle. Proper time management is the key to succeeding within high-stress circumstances of tackling work and study. You have to schedule everything: class time, study time, recreation, etc. You should even mark the time in your calendar when you need to send back your rented textbooks. Try to create a routine at the beginning of the semester. That way you can adjust to it early and then see if you’ll have leftover time for other engagements. Getting into a routine can reduce uncertainty about when and how you will fit in homework and study time on top of school and work. You should avoid procrastination at all costs and always get stuff done right away. Don’t wait till the last moment. For other professional tips about building a routine and excelling in time-management check James Clear’s Atomic Habits: An Easy & Proven Way to Build Good Habits & Break Bad Ones.

Communicate

people communicating at work
Graphic designers in a meeting at the office

When it comes to balancing a full-time job and college, communication truly is an asset. Be open and honest with your manager and your co-workers about your role as a student first and foremost. It will help you balance out everything you need to do when those who surround you are aware of your responsibilities as a student. Make sure you and your professors and managers are all on the same page. More often than not, they will want to help you when you are feeling overwhelmed with your workload. Communicating is essential not only with managers and professors but also with family members and close friends whose interactions with you will be impacted during this busy time of your life.

Always Take a Break

Learn to take a break when needed. Remember that you’re human, and every person has their limits. This is why taking a break is essential. Long study sessions or chunks of time working on assignments should be broken up with time away from screens or textbooks — use Pomodoro technique for managing your time. You need to give your mind some rest. Many scholars have studied the effects of meditation such as decreasing the level of stress and helping the brain to process information more efficiently. Meditation can improve your concentration and help with overall emotional well-being. You can meditate anywhere you want, all you need is a few minutes of quiet.

Don’t Overdo It

Tips for Balancing Work and Study as a College Student 2
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Never overwork yourself. You’re not a Superman and can’t possibly accomplish everything.

Avoid signing up for shifts that coincide with classes, assignment deadlines or exam revision periods. If you ever do find that you’re working too much, try to talk to your manager and ask whether it’s possible to reduce your hours. Ultimately, your health, wellbeing, and degree should come first. As a student, you have to be honest about the amount of work you can take on. Employers in need of staff to cover shifts during term time often take advantage of eager student workers who need money. Don’t fall a victim to this. Try to be clear with your employer about the hours and days you can work.

Find a Job that Suits You Best

college student happy with her part time job
Designed by tirachardz / Freepik

Sure, any job can occasionally be tedious and unpleasant. However, if you land a job that brings you at least some sort of fun and also stimulates you most of the time, your hours at work will fly by without even noticing it. Plus, you’ll boost your overall levels of energy and happiness. Even more important, if you can find employment in the industry that you’d like to enter after graduation, you could make lasting professional connections. With that in mind, it makes sense to search the Internet for exciting opportunities near your campus and to get assistance from your school’s office of career counseling. Take your time, and cast a wide net so that you won’t have to settle for a job that’s less than satisfying.

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Iliana K