It is very common to work and study at the same time. Some students look for various opportunities to help support themselves through school, like getting work from home jobs in Manila or part-time positions in companies. Others may already be established professionals who choose to pursue further studies to improve their knowledge and skills. Whatever the case may be, it can be a tough balancing act, as both require a lot of effort and dedication. If they aren’t managed properly, working and studying at the same time can be stressful, and the quality of one (or both) may suffer in the process.
Fortunately, there are different ways to juggle work and school duties. With proper planning and self-discipline, you can manage working and studying simultaneously while also enjoying your personal life. Try these productivity hacks to help you navigate your various commitments and become successful in your efforts:
Plot All Important Schedules for School and Work
At the beginning of each semester, get all your syllabi and record your class and examination schedules in your calendar. If they’re available, plot deadlines for any reports you’ll need to submit in your planner. Similarly, mark company meetings and any work deadlines you’re aware of in your calendar. Having a detailed calendar will help you get an overview of all the important dates for school and work, helping you plan the time you need to complete all your tasks. This also lets you keep track of how you spend time between class, work, studying, and other obligations.
Placing your schedule on a calendar and checking it regularly ensures you don’t miss out on any work or school obligations. You can also use this to plot out leisure time and attend to personal commitments, as it is also important to make time for these aspects of your life.
Tell People About Your Situation
If you’re employed and studying at the same time, you might experience conflict with your work and study schedules. To avoid running into problems, inform your employer, manager, and colleagues about your studies and any potential conflicts in your schedule so that you can make the necessary adjustments.
At the same time, talk to your professors and school administrators about your situation as a working student. They may offer you more flexibility in terms of managing your class schedule and submission deadlines. By being open about your commitments and communicating them to the people around you, you can avoid misunderstandings in the future.
Maximize Your Free Time
When you’re working and studying at the same time, you must take advantage of every free moment you get. Whether it’s just a few hours or minutes in a day, you need to use them wisely so that you can better balance school and work tasks. For example, you can review your notes while commuting to and from work. You can also dedicate a few minutes of your lunch break to studying or preparing for your classes.
Eliminate Distractions
Like many people, you’ll encounter plenty of distractions around you. Your smartphone is often a top contender for this, as you may be used to spending a lot of time on social media, watching your favorite TV shows, or chatting with other people. Receiving frequent notifications can also cause your attention to waver, as you have been conditioned to check your phone whenever you hear it ping.
Keep your phone away from you while studying or working to help you focus. Put it on silent mode and ask friends and coworkers to avoid disturbing you during work and study hours. Also, consider temporarily removing social media apps from your phone to discourage you from browsing.
Take Care of Yourself
Having a jam-packed schedule of work and school duties may cause stress, which can affect your well-being. If you want to continue achieving your work and study goals, take the time to look after yourself. While it may seem to take time away from your primary tasks, listening to music or doing some journaling can help you feel more energized and focused. These and other relaxing activities are important for managing your stress levels and ensuring that you’re in the best condition to study and work. Alternatively, exercising is another positive way to relieve stress and maintain your physical fitness.
Aside from managing stress, remember to get enough sleep. Eight hours of quality sleep can greatly improve your performance compared to staying up all night studying or working. A good night’s rest can help you feel energized the next day. Additionally, a hectic day filled with school and work tasks shouldn’t be an excuse to skip your meals. You need proper nutrition to have the endurance and focus to complete your work. While it may be tempting to eat fast food because it requires little effort, it’s better to eat a well-balanced diet of greens, grains, and lean proteins.
Balancing your work and school responsibilities can be challenging, but not impossible. It requires commitment, self-discipline, and being aware of the factors that affect your productivity. Consider these practical tips and use them as a guide for staying the course. Making every effort to promote and preserve your productivity will impact your overall performance and contribute to your success at school and work.
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