Set a Weekly Schedule That Balances Work and Study Time
It may be tempting to cram all your time with both study and work, but it can be challenging to focus equally on both. Give yourself a set schedule every week where you leave yourself more than enough time to study, whilst working around your free time with your job. Balance is the key to success, allowing you to enjoy the best of both worlds.
Use a Calendar or Planner to Stay on Top of Deadlines
Calendars can be a lifesaver when it comes to planning. Whether it’s a traditional paper one in the kitchen or the one on your phone, being able to pull up important dates at a moment’s notice, without having to think about it, saves you both time and effort. It also means that you can plan ahead of time with work rather than forgetting about important exams or events, and then having to apologise profusely to whoever you end up letting down.
Prioritise Uni Commitments During Peak Exam Periods
While working hard and earning extra money will seem like a priority, especially when your budget starts to dwindle, the most important thing is your education and future. Build your job around your study time and not the other way around. Making sure your employer fully understands your non-negotiable commitments and where it is in your priorities makes life easier for all parties involved.
Choose a Flexible Job That Understands Student Life
Explaining your situation early on is important. There’s no point in telling your new boss you’re completely flexible and happy to work as much as possible when you’re already at capacity with your studying. Set yourself a hard limit on how much you can work and maintain your studies, boundaries and most importantly, your mental health. If you can only commit to a few hours every week, let them know and they won’t (or at least shouldn’t) expect more from you. If they do, just remind them of what was previously agreed and explain that your studies and education come before everything else.
Avoid Burnout By Building In Rest and Social Time
It can be tempting to stack all your free time with extra work so your payslip starts looking better at the end of the month. However, this can lead to burnout and misery, which nobody wants or needs. Allow yourself genuine time off to relax and enjoy yourself without any responsibility. It’s important to stay healthy and happy, and to give yourself time away from both work and study. Whether it’s time on your own, time with friends, or just doing the things you love, don’t sacrifice what’s important for what’s urgent.
Communicate With Your Employer If Uni Gets Intense
Letting your workplace know early on that you’re a student who requires flexibility and understanding will negate any headaches and falling out later down the line. If you have exam dates ahead of time, let your workplace know with plenty of notice. You may need to scale your hours back temporarily or get cover to help you out. They’re more likely to be flexible with you if you give them plenty of time to work things out.
Make The Most of Short Study Sessions When Time Is Tight
Reading study books during cardio at the gym, cramming practice tests during your lunch break or squeezing in a bit of light reading on the bus. When your schedule is packed out, getting any study time at all is better than none. Prioritise the important things and utilise any brief window you may find yourself with.
Know When to Scale Back Work When Grades Start Slipping
If you find yourself unable to focus, not understanding things that should be simple or getting the odd negative remark from your tutors, it might be time to re-prioritise your studying over your job. It doesn’t have to be permanent, but try pulling your hours or shifts back and focusing on your study time where you can. Even if it’s only an extra evening every week, it can make all the difference.
Focus on Studies, Not Bills
Managing both work and study can be stressful, but with the right balance, planning, and boundaries, it’s entirely possible to stay on top of everything. The Student Energy Group offers student bill packages that give you peace of mind by handling utilities and bills in one simple plan, so you can focus on your studies and part-time job without worrying about unpaid bills or splitting costs with housemates.
