People often associate university with fun, partying, and carelessness. But the reality is more serious. In fact, college is where many of us get our first job. Motivation to work can be different – some want to be independent of their parents, and others need to get as much valuable experience as possible.
It is certainly not easy to devote yourself to studying with a busy work schedule. At some point, life takes on a shocking pace, and you may start thinking: what if I aim to do the impossible?
However, we are sure that a balance between college and work can be found – just follow our tips.
How to Manage College and Work Efficiently (15+ Tips)
Plan and Prioritize
To manage it all, you need a strategy – in other words, a to-do list. There’s no need to keep everything in your head. Get a schedule in any form you like: a reminder app and a paper notebook will do.
First, prioritize job responsibilities: tasks that will bring the most results and urgent projects. Then come to the assignments with approaching deadlines. As for your studies, the to-do list must contain the most significant papers of the semester – without them, it’s impossible to complete the course.
Next, combine the priority lists and determine the time required to complete each task. A carefully crafted plan will help keep the situation under control.
Be ready – you may feel the temptation to postpone the assignments until another day. But with this attitude, you will accumulate a heap of unfinished tasks and a mix of stress and anxiety. Doing everything on time and systematically is the key.
Track Your Time
Let’s face it; there are times during the day when we aren’t doing anything useful. Whether waiting in line or taking the bus, the brain isn’t focused on anything serious.
If you wonder how to manage college and work, try to use these moments to your benefit. Download a lecture to listen to it on the road or get some study help while drinking tea before bed.
To realize what you are spending time on, try writing down all your activities for three days. Then add together all the minutes (or hours) you were wandering around the house, lying on a couch, or lounging in the bathtub. There is no need to give up all habits at once – just optimize them.
Infrastructure Matters
It will be much easier to combine work, study and personal life if all the places are close.
If it takes a couple of hours on a bus to get to work, or you ride your bike till you’re completely exhausted, your resources may run out sooner than you think. Fortunately, it’s easy to outsource your assignment to paper writers in case you’re too tired to work on it independently. Remember, your health, both physical and mental, is a priority.
Your Employers Should Know You’re A Student
Many companies offer students internships, after which they can work there full-time. If you started your journey with such an internship, it’s great. Employers and colleagues are likely to understand that you may be a few minutes late for work because of a lecture.
By the way, as your study progresses, you will be able to devote more time to your job responsibilities since the number of lectures will gradually decrease.
It is recommended to start working during the summer holidays. First, it will make it easier to get used to the new surroundings as you won’t have to worry about assignments from school. Secondly, by the time the semester begins, the accumulated experience will make it possible to combine study and work without extra stress.
Use Work Experience In Your Studies And Vice Versa
Some professors ask students to present their experiences in a particular field (especially if it coincides with their college major).
You can give your group mates a broader perspective and inspire them with your example. You can include many things in the presentation, from the necessary competencies to land an interview and the meaning of specific work projects to the challenges and prospects in the sphere.
Ask the professor if your quarterly report can be used as a topic for a term paper. Sometimes, lecturers are excited about such experiments.
At the same time, college knowledge can help you in your work. Have you found out about an interesting theory? Then check it out in practice. You will be surprised to see how many ideas can be helpful in any job.
Going to college for the first time is about turning over that new chapter in your life. Getting an education and determining which career path to choose can sometimes be exciting and confusing. Some new college students find themselves overwhelmed by the sudden changes. Here is what you need to do when surviving your first year of college.
Ask for Advice
Since going to college is so much different than high school, it’s only natural to feel confused and disoriented. As a freshman, it’s recommended that you plan so the whole process doesn’t stress you out. An effective way to plan your first year of college is to ask for advice.
This means asking people like your parents what college was like for them and how they got through it. Learning about other people’s college experiences can help you understand what’s to come.
Don’t Miss Out on Orientation.
Orientation is a program most colleges offer new students. It’s where you go to learn the ins and outs of the entire college and how it operates. It shows you where to go to attend your classes, and you will also be introduced to various resources that will assist you as you learn. These resources include tutoring, an advisor, and a quiet place to study.
One underestimated aspect of orientation is learning about medical services. College can become so stressful that it affects a student’s mental and emotional health.
Get to Know the Area
This mainly applies to people who live on campus and visit it. Knowing your college’s layout is crucial to having a successful first year. Freshmen often get lost due to not knowing the area. You must learn the entire layout of the area so you minimize the chances of getting lost.
Being lost can cause a lot of unnecessary issues regarding your academic performance. Frequent tardiness, despite it being unintentional, can impact your financial aid and the overall learning experience.
Don’t Be Afraid to Delegate.
Are you a control freak? Many people are, but being one is counterproductive. Surely, wanting everything done properly is natural and can be understood. The problem is, it’s impossible to do everything on your own if there’s too much to do.
So, you must learn to delegate everything you can. But of course, you can’t delegate to just anyone. For example, you must carefully read trustworthy reviews before ordering an essay.
The same goes for any other service – cleaning, food delivery, dog walking, babysitting, or any other you might need. Don’t rush to pick the first company or person you find on the Internet – you’re a student, so do your research!
Mark Your Calendar and Write in an Agenda
One of the most important parts of college participation is keeping yourself organized. With the abundance of responsibilities, you will have, staying organized is a must. Two ways to be better organized are either write your tasks in an agenda and mark certain tasks under a specific date in your calendar. Doing so will inform you what you need to do and how much time you have to do it.
Cut Out the Junk Food
Because of how demanding college can be, keeping yourself in good health is important. This means cutting out junk foods and replacing them with a sensible and nutritional diet. Swap out candy for fruit, discard chips for crunchy vegetables and drink caffeine in moderation. If you’re craving a certain flavor, infuse your water with your favorite fruit. Although it may take some time, adjusting to life as a new college student is possible. All it takes is a little patience and an open mind.
Try Freelancing
Working in an office or anywhere else with a clear daily schedule isn’t the only way to make a living. Many students turn to freelance to understand how to manage time in college and work.
There are many advantages: you can organize your day as you wish (perhaps you’re a night owl and feel more productive in the late evening). You can also determine the workload level and choose projects depending on your schedule.
Be Realistic
It’s pleasant to think we have limitless potential, but the brain gets tired rather quickly. Schedule your activities, having in mind how long you can focus on a task and the time you need to have some rest. For example, study for 45 minutes straight, exercise for 15 minutes, then study again for another 40 minutes.
Moreover, set realistic goals. For example, not “Today I’ll learn half of a French textbook,” but “I’ll learn three paragraphs, but I’ll do it well.”
Keep Up the Motivation
Surely, there will be moments when it will seem that everything around is too much to handle. Is there a solution? Yes! Remind yourself why you started what you are doing now. At least, you will save yourself from the endless circle of “I can’t find a job because I need experience, and to get experience, I need a job.”
Think about the pros, like having your source of income, new contacts, and improved soft skills such as time management, flexibility, and stress resistance.
Mind Chatting With Colleagues
Let’s face it. We’re not always productive at work. A certain amount of time is spent on conversations about the weather and TV shows. Are you sure you are using your time wisely, even if you’re not a gossip fan? Are you wasting time surfing the useless Internet or drinking too much coffee in the kitchen? Observe yourself and conclude.
Find a Compromise
When telling your employers you’ve got an important test or exam, offer an alternative solution. For example, before leaving work early, suggest staying at the office for the same number of hours the next day. Besides, you can work several weekends a month, shorten your lunchtime, or finish some projects at home.
Sometimes, you have to compromise with yourself too. Imagine being invited to a Friday night party while you have plans to spend weekends preparing for a serious event or exam. Find another option to socialize and not end up sleeping most of Saturday instead of studying.
Why not invite your friends to gather at your place for a pizza? This will not take up a lot of time and energy.
Is There A Room For Peace?
Whatever achievements and ambitions motivate us, we all need a pause sometime to keep the balance and have some rest.
The most basic steps to relax are to have 7-8 hours of sleep, good nutrition, and at least one physical activity. Every second of rest will help give you the strength to move on. Try journaling to listen to your inner voice. And don’t forget that even robots can’t be productive 24/7 as everyone needs to recharge.
Final Thoughts
Two factors are essential: good planning and understanding why you are doing it. It can be difficult to follow all these principles at once, but starting small is okay. When you successfully integrate one rule into your daily life and make it a habit, take on the next.
