How to balance studying and working at the same time
Being a student and a working professional at the same time can be difficult.
It requires a delicate balancing act and a lot of compromise and hard choices.
Instead of going out for drinks with the girls after work, you will have to go home and study or research for your upcoming tests and assignments.
While this does sound daunting, furthering your education while you are working is a rewarding decision. It can help to further your career, which is always positive. You can balance studying and working, with a few helpful tips.
Prioritise your daily tasks
This is a skill that many working professionals already have: the skill of organisation. If you are embarking on the journey of distance learning, you will need to prioritise your daily tasks at work in order to get home with enough time to study before bed.
You could decide to do the most difficult work tasks first, so they are out of the way and don’t keep you in the office after hours. Or you could limit your leisure time activities in favour of using this free time to study. Remember, however, not to let your studies affect the quality of your work and if you have to stay late in the office to finish a task for a deadline, do not shirk this responsibility.
Update your employer
If your studies are not being financed by your company and are not considered as working hours, you will need to update your employer with the fact that you are studying concurrently while working. This will alert them to the fact that you may not be able to stay late every evening.
By telling your employer that you are studying, they will be able to create a study-friendly work schedule for you, and may even allow you to work from home during exam study time. You will also stand out as someone who is interested in bettering their future and, by extension, the future of the company, which could lead to a promotion.
Use free time productively
If you are studying and working full time, it may feel like you have no free time at all. It is important, however, to use whatever freetime you do have do something constructive and relaxing.
You may think it is best to use this time to study or to catch up on work tasks, but you need to take a break from both work and study so you do not become too stressed. This can lead to “burnout” and may cause issues with work or with your education. In your free time, you could go to the gym, take a relaxing walk or simply relax at home with a book .
Be realistic about time
You will need to properly assess how much time you really have to study. If you can only take one or two HR management courses at a time, focus your attention on that workload. If you would like to boost your skills as an HR professional, look at taking a refresher course or a diploma course before you look at other options.
If you work full-time, you will need to look at how many classes you can take per semester and try not to bite off more than you can chew. If you are able to take three courses, stick to those three and do not add more that are unnecessary to your certification.
Make use of technology
DIstance learning is ideal for working professionals. It allows you to use the internet to study and research, saving you from having to go to a library in your precious free time. You can also email and message your lecturers and tutors, letting them know if you have problems submitting an assignment.
By using a study app or an organisation app, you will be able to better manage your time and make your studies easier to plan. You can also use Google Docs to take notes that will instantly be saved to your Google Drive, so you will never lose important information.
Look after your health
Studying and working at the same time can be stressful for both your physical and mental health. Be sure that you eat a healthy diet and do not fall victim to buying too much takeout because it is easier for your schedule. Eat foods rich in Omega 3 and 6, such as fish and nuts, to improve your brain health.
Get enough sleep every day and do not feel as though you have to study until 3am to meet an assignment deadline. Sleep is vitally important for a functioning mind and body, so do not give yourself less than 7 hours a day, otherwise you will start to become unhealthy and will not have enough energy to study or work.
Enjoy the experience
Remember that you are furthering your education for yourself and not to prove a point to anyone. Try to enjoy the experience and reward yourself when you reach goals and deadlines during your coursework. After all, education is a gift that nobody can take away from you.