Working and going to school can be challenging, but it’s not impossible. You just need the right strategies to manage your time and workload effectively. While having a job can seem like it would make studying that much harder, it actually can help you get ahead in your classes. Having a job as a student gives you a sense of responsibility, which can help you take your studies more seriously. Working as a student forces you to balance different responsibilities and allocate your time efficiently. Working and studying at the same time requires discipline, organization, and self-motivation. You won’t have time for procrastination or lazy afternoons; everything must be planned out and executed wisely. However, with the right strategy and commitment, you can excel in both school and work at the same time. Here are some tips on how to study while working:
Try to schedule your classes at the same time
It may be easier to manage if you have classes on your workdays instead of having them on your school days. If you get lucky, you might even be able to talk to your employer about adjusting your work hours to accommodate your class schedule. If your employer won’t budge, you can still try to schedule your classes at a different time than your work hours. You’ll have to take into account your commuting time, though, and make sure you get enough sleep. For example, if you have a class in the morning, you might want to work the night shift or an afternoon shift so you can get a good night’s sleep.
Use your lunch break to study
You can use your lunch break to either eat or study. You can eat lunch at your desk or take 30 or 45 minutes to go to the library and use that time to study. You can split your lunch between eating and studying, too. Eat half of your lunch during the break and use the other half of your lunch to study. This way, you still get to spend time with your co-workers, but also get some studying done. You can also try to study in the morning before work. This way, you’ll have the rest of your day to relax and do some fun activities.
Ask for help when you need this
Of course, you may have a lot of tasks with tough deadlines and it’s clear that you won’t be able to complete them on time. However, you can’t study every night, otherwise, you won’t be able to live your life if you don’t get enough sleep. This is where paid research papers from Rapidessay might be the right solution. As a result, you’ll entrust creative tasks to experts in this area and have more spare time.
Don’t eat your meals at the same time you study
Make sure you don’t have your meals at the same time you study. Eating at the same time you study can make you feel sluggish and tired. It also can affect your attention span and ability to stay focused. You should make sure to eat healthy snacks during your study sessions, though, such as fruits, nuts, and seeds. These foods are packed with nutrients and provide lasting energy and focus that will help you get through your studying.
Go to the library during your break times
Most jobs let you take breaks at specific times during the day. You can use this time to go to the library and study. The library is a great place to study because you can have the quiet and focused environment that you need to really get work done. Most libraries have quiet spaces where you can study without having to worry about noise. You can bring your laptop or any books or notes you need to study. If you work in a customer service job where you have to talk to customers all day, try to go to the library during the times when customers are the busiest so you don’t have to worry about being interrupted.
Take study breaks
It’s important to take breaks throughout your studying because it keeps your mind fresh and your attention span long. It also helps you stay focused and prevents burnout. Some good ways to take study breaks are going for a walk outside, meditating, or listening to music. You can also try to play some games while you’re taking your break so you don’t get too distracted. You can also try to give yourself a time limit for studying, such as one or two hours. Once you hit that time limit, you should take a break. This will help you stay focused and on track while studying.
Find a study buddy or mentor for support
Having a study buddy or mentor can help you stay motivated and focused during your studying. You should try to find someone who is also working and studying. This way, you can help each other stay motivated and encourage each other to stay on track with your studies. A study buddy or mentor can also help you brainstorm ideas, clarify concepts, and offer different perspectives. Having someone to study with can help you stay focused, especially if you are easily distracted.
Final thoughts
Overall, when following these simple tips, you’ll undoubtedly be more productive. If handled properly, it’s easy to combine education and work, you just need to have a desire to do this.
Zuella Montemayor did her degree in psychology at the University of Toronto. She is interested in mental health, wellness, and lifestyle.
