Balancing work and study can seem impossible at times. But it’s definitely achievable – all you need is the right mix of self-discipline, motivation and time-management skills.
Here are our top 5 tips for balancing work and study:
1. Plan and prioritise your time
Setting aside some time at the end of each week to carefully plan and prioritise your time for the following week is an excellent first step towards successfully balancing your work and studies.
Ask yourself some essential questions like:
- How many hours will you need to set aside for your work this upcoming week?
- How many hours will you need to set aside for your studies to go through the week’s course materials and work on any assignments?
- How many hours will you need to set aside for other commitments – like family commitments and doctor’s appointments – this upcoming week?
Once you’ve done this, you can plan out your week in your calendar accordingly. For each day, block out the times you’ll need to be at work, the times you’ll need to allocate to your other commitments, and the times you’ll be able to devote to your studies. Set up calendar reminders to notify you whenever it’s time to sit down and focus on your studies.
2. Know when to say “no”
A big part of being successful at balancing work and study is understanding that you’ll need to compromise at times – and knowing when to say “no”.
Even though it might seem at times that your work, study and other commitments are all competing for your undivided attention, not all of them can take top priority at the same time. In other words – you can’t do everything at once.
Stay focussed and self-disciplined when it comes to your weekly schedule, and know when to say “no” when something that’s not urgent or essential tries to compete for your attention and distract you away from sticking to your schedule.
Whether it’s a tempting long-weekend getaway or a regular Friday after-work catch-up, most often you can postpone it to another time when you can comfortably fit it in with your weekly schedule.
3. Communicate and build your support network
Balancing your studies with your work is a whole lot easier when you communicate your situation and have the support of those around you.
Be open with your manager, family and friends about your studies, and let them know you’re trying to balance your studies alongside your work and other commitments. It’s important they understand both your work and studies are important to you – and you’re trying to effectively balance both.
A supportive manager, family member or friend will be understanding of your situation and try to support you as much as possible. Whether it’s by offering flexible working arrangements, taking over the household chores for the week, or postponing a night out, communicating your situation to those around you will help you build a support network that can ease the pressure of balancing your studies with your work.
4. Change your mindset
If your studies just seem like yet another chore you have to do on top of everything else, it’s time to change your mindset.
While studying might not be on your list of things you’d like to be doing after a hard day at work, remember your studies are well-worth your time and effort, and you stand to gain a lot from them both on a professional and personal level. As well as giving you the opportunity to expand your career opportunities, your studies are a great way to keep your mind active and engaged with the world around you.
Viewing your studies as a highly-rewarding investment in your career and personal development – rather than as just another chore on your ‘to-do’ list – will help boost your motivation and your success in balancing your studies with your work.
5. Take the time to unwind
Successfully balancing work and study isn’t about cramming your weekly schedule to the brim with both – it’s about balancing work and study manageably and comfortably.
Maintaining your health and wellbeing is an essential part of successfully balancing work and study. Just as it’s important to set time aside for your work and studies, it’s also important to set time aside regularly to check-in with yourself to make sure you’re managing well and you’re not in burnout mode.
Regularly getting enough sleep and eating well, taking regular breaks, and staying active are all great ways to manage your health, wellbeing and stress levels to help you avoid feeling like you’re drowning under your busy schedule and you’ve burnt yourself out.
If you feel like you’re burning out, take time out away from your computer, switch off and unwind. Once you’ve taken the time you need to unwind and recharge, you can come back to your weekly schedule and re-organise and prioritise so that you can get back on-track and avoid feeling like you’re burning out again.
If you’re looking for a flexible online Masters degree that you can comfortably manage alongside your full-time work, the University of Hull Online offers a range of courses that can help you take the next step in your career.