Without a doubt, working part-time while studying has several benefits. You can make new connections, learn new skills, get more experience to add to your Curriculum Vitae (CV), and of course earn extra income to support you during university. However, it can be difficult to manage and maintain a balance between your academics and your part-time job.
So, how do you manage a part-time job while studying to get good grades? In this article, we’ve put together a few tips to help you find a balance between your part-time job and studies.
Create a Plan
The key to juggling between your studies and your part-time job is to plan and organize so that none of the two activities suffer. The last thing you want to do is to start cramming a course a night before the exam. Consider using a journal or planner to write down your tasks and where you should be and when. You can also use an app on your phone or computer (if that works better for you) to schedule your meetings, lectures, assignments, deadlines, and job commitments. You should also look for a dedicated space where you can study and focus on your goals to stay motivated. Not only will this help you keep track of your assignments in school and job deadlines, but it will also give a sense of accomplishment.
Know Your Limits
It’s easy to get drawn into trying to earn more money than taking on more than you can handle. However, this can greatly affect your performance in your studies. Depending on your course of study, you may be required to be in the classroom more than 3 times a week. This means you need to be realistic about your limits and how many hours you can work per week. Studying and getting good grades should be your main priority. Your part-time job should only be a means of financial support and a way to get more work experience. So, don’t let your part-time job affect your studies. Taking on too much can also affect your health which will eventually affect your performance both in school and at work.
Study Online
One of the best ways to stay committed to your studies while working part-time is to study online. Studying online gives you the flexibility and freedom you need when working part-time because you’re not tied down to a particular schedule. You can learn whatever you want and whenever you want. You can even study at the same time you’re working. It allows you to study more to complement what you’re learning in the traditional classroom. There are several platforms where you can study online and one of them is Shaw Academy. If you’re wondering what kind of courses you can get there, you can read Shaw Academy reviews to get more information about them. If you’re looking to expand the options of online courses you have, you can see more online schools reviews to check which one is more suitable for you.
Take Care of Your Health
While juggling between school and your part-time job, remember to take care of your mental and physical health. Eat a reasonably healthy diet and drink enough water. Exercise daily and sleep for at least 7 to 8 hours a day to strengthen your immune system, boost your memory power, and cope better with stress. Because you’ll be shifting between work and study, you’ll likely be using a lot of energy, ensure you eat enough nutritious food and avoid junk food as much as you can.
Update Your Employer
When working part-time, always maintain regular communication with your manager. Be honest about what you want and how things are going. There will be times when you need to completely prioritize your academics. During such periods, inform your employer that you’ll need more time or be completely unavailable for a project. Avoid overextending yourself or putting your body under too much pressure.