As if college wasn't hard enough, adding in the stress of a job can be quite demanding on a day-to-day basis. As a "straight A" student who works full-time and goes to school full-time, I constantly hear the phrase “I don’t know how you do it.” It's not always easy to maintain a balance between everything, but it is possible to prosper in your academic and work realms while having a personal life if you prioritize effectively.
Here are a few helpful tips for establishing a well-balanced system.
1. Be savvy while in class
Your time is valuable; don't waste it by not taking advantage of classroom resources. By taking notes and participating, you’ll save time later on when studying for a midterm or working on an assignment. It also helps retain the information you are learning in class. Looking for extra credit opportunities can also help bump up your grade if you miss an assignment or don't do as well on a test as you thought.
2. Take online classes
Taking classes online can free up your schedule a bit and make you a more flexible full-time college student and worker. Even just one online class can alleviate scheduling conflicts with work and school, and also allow you to be in class on your own time. Online classes can be challenging at first, but staying organized will help. If you are able to take more than one class online then do it; it will be beneficial for your work-life balance in the long run.
3. Make time for fun
You are constantly under a lot of pressure and time constraints; it's important to get some mental rest. Watch a couple episodes of your favorite show, have a night out with your friends, take a yoga class– whatever you enjoy doing, make time to do it. Depriving yourself of enjoyment will make you miserable, and it’ll start to show in both your school and work performance. It's ok to take breaks; you're mental health needs them.
4. Don't procrastinate
Procrastination is a toxic habit – a deeply ingrained pattern of behavior. That means that you won’t just break it overnight. You have to be persistent and work to stay on top of all your assignments. Save yourself the mental aching, and don’t let weeks of homework pile up for one night.
5. Get a calendar (or two)
You're taking multiple classes, you have a work schedule, you have personal obligations, and somehow you need to keep track of it all. Whether you use the calendar in your phone, a handwritten planner, or a printed version you made in Excel, you need to know what's coming up and prioritize your activities accordingly. Time management is everything.
6. Approach problems with creativity
Juggling all your work and trying to prioritize can lead to conflicts in different life areas. You need to resolve these issues creatively and find a way to satisfy both ends of the issue. If you work and go to school, you have to be driven and confident in your abilities to manage everything in your life. You have gotten to where you are for a reason, so don’t let any obstacle diminish your ambition.
7. Seek out support
Whether it’s from a family member, friend, colleague, or peer; talking to people that support your goals will keep you from feeling too overwhelmed. Be comfortable if you need to approach your manager at work or an advisor at school if you have concerns about classes, or need advice about your situation. There are always people that are willing to help. You are not alone in this.
8. Know that this is only temporary
You are going through a difficult and stressful time right now, but you'll get through it! Establishing realistic career goals and having plans after graduation will keep you motivated to continue. Stay focused on the finish line; it'll all be worth it once you get that diploma.
