More and more people are opting to work and go to college at the same time. Students who go straight from high school to college, as well as adults who are returning to school, are included.
It doesn’t matter which category you fall into; managing your time between school and employment is essential if you want to be successful.
Balancing education and work, whether part-time or full-time, can be challenging. While many working students in college are capable of juggling both, there are still many who are unable to do so.
If you do not strike a healthy balance between the two, you risk experiencing stress, receiving poorer grades, producing low-quality work, and more.
Nobody wants that, and I’m sure neither do you.
This is intended to be a moment in your life when you should be growing and developing, not when you feel overwhelmed by everything going on around you.
Working while you’re still in school can help you save money on student loans, or you could be an adult who must find a means to support your family while you’re still in school.
If you’re a university student who also works, learning time management skills will help you succeed in all areas of your life.
No matter the reason, here’s some advice for college students with jobs on how to manage their time. The following tips came in handy for me!
1. Find a way to keep yourself motivated
While there are many good reasons to work and go to school at the same time, it’s important to remind yourself of those reasons from time to time.
When individuals around you aren’t doing both, it’s easy to get envious, apprehensive, or even upset. Nevertheless, keep in mind why you’re making the sacrifices.
If you’re an adult learner returning to school, your goal could be from avoiding student loans to taking care of your family.
When you’re trying to balance work and school, your drive will come in helpful.
2. Make a well-thought-out timetable for school and job
Working college students should manage their class and employment schedules wisely.
Some college students simply register for the classes that are being provided.
However, planning your school and job schedule meticulously will save you time in the long run by ensuring that no time is wasted.
Begin by finding out when the classes you need are being given and working to eliminate any gaps between them so that you can begin managing school and work with a well-planned timetable.
Between-class breaks of an hour or two have a significant financial impact.
The time you have off between classes can also be put to good use by doing homework and/or studying.
Try to schedule as many classes as possible for one day so that you aren’t traveling back and forth from school, work, and home all the time. Another time management suggestion.
It’s difficult to juggle school and job, but it all starts with making a routine that makes the most of your time.
3. Eliminate any squandered time
There are different times wasters that you may come across every day, especially if you are juggling school and your job. A few minutes here and there might build up to several hours per day.
Saved time can be put to better use by going to school, getting a better career, networking, or whatever else you desire. Every second counts for college students who are also part-time workers.
There are various techniques for getting rid of things that are a waste of time.
Reduce the time you spend commuting. You’ll save a lot of time on commutes if you get a job near where you went to school.
Make a plan to work from home.
Having a career that able to work from home can help you better balance your time between school and work. You might be able to squeeze in some work over the lunch hour.
Make your meals in advance and store them in the refrigerator or freezer. You’ll save quite a lot of time by batch-cooking your meals rather than preparing them all from scratch.
Preparing your homemade meals is much more than a way for college students to save time; it also means you’ll eat better and have more money to spend.
Use social media less and cut out on watching TV. People waste numerous hours every day on social sites and watching television.
Reducing your consumption of this could help you save hours every day that you weren’t previously aware of.
You should be mindful of how TV and sites like Facebook can affect your ability to balance school and your job because they can be extremely distracting.
4. Remove all sources of distraction from your life
It’s difficult for college students to manage their time, but it’s even more difficult for students who are also working because there are more distractions.
The background noise, such as a TV or a party your neighbor is holding, can keep you from concentrating on what you’re doing when you’re studying.
If you’re studying for exams or do schoolwork, you should look for an area where you won’t be interrupted.
Working and attending college comes with a plethora of distractions, so one of the keys to managing your time is to learn to distance yourself from them.
Trust me, I understand how difficult it may be. However, I also realize how helpful it can be to eliminate all sources of distraction.
You may have to yank the distraction out, but in the long run, it will save you time and help you concentrate on the task at hand.
5. Make a list of things to do and stick to a schedule
University students, especially those working part-time, might benefit greatly from creating a to-do list to help them better manage their time.
The reason for this is that a to-do list can help you see what remains to be done and by when.
You’ll be forced to confront reality when your obligations are in front of you.
To-do lists can be broken down into daily, bimonthly, or monthly categories to help you stay on top of things.
Plan everything out in advance with the help of an organizer or journal. Use Post-It notes. Color code. Whatever system you choose, stick with it.
If you construct a to-do list and stick to a timetable, juggling school and work would be a lot less stressful. So, make a daily to-do list, and sticking to it will help you stay focused.
A to-do list prevents me from ruminating on whether or not I keep forgetting to do something while I’m frantic and agitated, which saves me precious time.
6. Procrastinate productively
While we’re all aware of the dangers of procrastination, there are situations when it is actually beneficial to waste time on anything else. That may seem out of order, but trust me when I say it’s extremely useful.
What I mean is, if you have an assignment due but are procrastinating due to studying, then study for an exam instead. You’ll then have to write the paper, but at least the research is over with.
You can better balance school and your job if you discover strategies like this that make every minute count.
7. Take a break when it’s truly necessary
When it comes to college students who work, good time management involves making the most of every second of every day. However, there are moments when juggling education and employment becomes overwhelming.
There will be times when you feel that you need some break. This will assist you to return to your work reenergized and focused.
It’s possible to go for a stroll or read a book in addition to working exercise or napping. You may avoid feeling burned out by taking breaks when you really need one when juggling school and employment.
8. Make contact with other university students who are pursuing similar goals
Finding people who also have to work and go to school might help you keep focused. I know you’re not the one who struggles with this.
If you have a friend who is pursuing the same thing as you, finding a study partner can be a great way to stay motivated and on task.
9. Students who are also working their way through college must be realistic
There are some people who can work full time and go to school at the same time, but that is not the case for everyone.
Dropping hours at work or school may be an option if your grades are declining. At this point in time and in the future, what matters most to you? Being realistic can help you recognize your limitations and avoid burning out because we can’t accomplish everything all the time.
📌 Bottom Line
You’ll be able to ace your coursework and your job if you use the time-management advice I’ve provided for college students who are also employed. Don’t forget to schedule some time for relaxation and entertainment as well. Wishing you the best of luck!
Are you one of the numerous college students who also work full-time or part-time? Is there a reason for this? What time-management advice do you have for college students?
❓ You Might Ask
1. How much free time do college students have?
Every day, college students get between three and five hours of free time. Students should plan on devoting 25-30 hours a week to schoolwork on average. Upperclassmen will have less spare time because of their harder classes. Underclassmen, on the other hand, have more free time because their classes are simpler.
2. Do most college students have jobs?
Many undergraduate students between the ages of 16 and 64 work while enrolled in school. In 2018, the portion of undergrads who were employed was higher (81 percent) for part-time students than for full-time students (43 percent).
3. How hard is it to work and study?
Students who work around 10 and 15 hours a week have been shown to be capable of balancing full-time study and work. If you work more than this, you could experience increased stress – and your study and outcomes may suffer as a result. Thus, even if your school permits 20 hours of work per week, this may not be optimal.
