Simple Tips to Juggle Study And Work Effectively
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Posted on 13 Oct '23

Simple Tips to Juggle Study And Work Effectively

Many students choose to work while they study to help with living costs and earn some extra cash. However, juggling work and study can be tough and can sometimes leave you feeling burned out and overwhelmed.

We’ve put together some tips to help you tackle the ‘working while studying’ lifestyle effectively! Here are some small steps you can take to help you strike the perfect work-study balance.

Develop a plan!

You’ll most likely get your timetable and assessment schedule in the first few weeks of your course. Once you know what your study schedule is like, you can start planning! You may want to work less hours during exam season and take on more hours during holidays. You can now map out your year in advance and find a job that’ll work around your schedule.

Find a study space

Having a study space, you’re comfortable and productive in is important, especially if you’re someone who takes a little while to get settled in their surroundings. Whether it’s at home, at the university library or a café you visit often, your study space should give you the option of switching off all distractions.

Polish up your study skills

Since your time will be divided, it is important that you make full use of your time. You might want to refresh some study skills that have worked best for you in the past, especially if you’re returning to study after a break. Do you learn best when taking physical notes? Do you think passive but repetitive engagement with the course materials is the way for you? You can hit the ground running if you already know what works for you.

Have open and honest conversations

They key to having a healthy work-study balance is to be open about your commitments and availability to both your faculty and employers. Your personal tutor can guide you in making sure your studies are not taking a hit. It is good to keep your employer in the loop about when exam time is, preferably right at the start. Being open from the get-go will help you build the trust and understanding to negotiate more flexibility when the time comes.

Find a study buddy

Rest assured that you’ll not be the only one juggling study and work. You’ll find that many of your peers are in the same situation. So, why not pool resource and share the load! You can divide study tasks and have regular group study sessions. A support system can also help keep you motivated and accountable. This is handy if you’re on an online course and don’t see your course mates often otherwise. You can utilise online forums provided by the university or even reach out to them yourselves.

Break study into bite sized chunks

A few pages of reading a day versus a 50-page research paper in a month - a small shift in perspective can have a massive effect on how you look at the task in front of you. Tackling your study material in smaller chunks can make it more seem more manageable, take away some of the everyday pressure and help you plan out your time better.

Take care of your health

Probably the most obvious one from this list, but health is often most easily neglected during busy times. Remember to take adequate breaks, stay fit and make time for family, friends and things you love outside of work and study. Not taking care of yourself can quickly become a one-way ticket to burnout!

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Last updated: 13 October 2023