How to survive the balance between work and college.
In the world we live in today it's getting exceedingly hard for people to make a living without some form of education past high school, and this leads to more people in college.
This also means that a lot of working professionals are going back to school to keep up with the times as well.
College isn't easy for anyone, juggling the classes, the homework, sleep, and living is a task for anyone, but for those students who work while trying to earn their education this takes on a whole new meaning.
Juggling a job, full time or part time, taking classes of any level, and meeting the day to day needs of family and leading a healthy life can be overwhelming.
So how does one survive it and manage to keep up with all of their obligations? Here are 8 tips to help anyone from the freshman to the grad student balance the work load: Tip 1: Read the course syllabus and assignments listing for each class.
This gives you an opening from day one to figure out what is expected of you and what sort of time each class is going to take up.
This may even give you an opportunity to get ahead.
Tip 2: Keep a schedule.
Time management is key for surviving the number of curve balls that can be thrown at you during a semester.
Keep a date book or running schedule for work, appointments, study time, and personal 'me' time and then stick to it.
Tip 3: Don't settle for just being caught up.
A lot of classes offer opportunities for students to work ahead of the group in some way.
So use those opportunities when they arise.
This helps to reduce stress later on in the semester or if something unexpected happens with work or family.
Tip 4: Every little bit helps.
Have you ever found yourself sitting in a waiting room with nothing to do but look at magazines that are a year or older? Do some homework, bring your book to read from that English class, or use your phone to do a little research and e-mail the links to yourself.
Tip 5: Don't skip family or 'me' time.
Work and class are important, but nothing is more important than family.
Spend leisure time with your family and take some time out occasionally for yourself to just relax.
Put this in your schedule and don't use it as a buffer, make it as much of a priority as your job or class.
Tip 6: Minimize the Multi-tasking.
Multi-tasking is great in some instances like putting up the laundry, while dinner is in the oven and you're talking on the phone.
That's all well and good, but trying to toggle between feeding the baby and highlighting your notes is not good, and neither is trying to jump back and forth between work and school or jumping from class to class.
Make time to concentrate on each subject even if it's only in 15 or 20 minute segments before you switch to something else.
Tip 7: Keep a running list of the assignments you have for class and/or work and prioritize them by when they are due.
This helps you budget your time wisely and stay on top of your class requirements.
Keep doing this even if you are ahead of the class.
Tip 8: Take care of your health.
Eat properly and exercise, even if your exercise is just walking the dog or playing with the kids or a short basketball game with friends.
Keep moving, this helps bust up the stress, strengthen your immune system, and give you more energy and focus.
Stick with these tips and you'll be able to juggle it all like a pro, but if you do happen to drop a ball, we all make mistakes, so keep going.
Practice makes perfect.