The Iglu Guide | Blog
Balancing a job while you study
Managing a student job along with university study is not always easy, because it puts pressure on all aspects of your life. It definitely helps boost your finances, involves you in the community and possibly places you in a relevant industry – but it can also sap your time, stress you out and impact your studies. Each benefit has an evil twin – here’s some tips on how to get the balance right.
Be organised
Organisation is a hot topic when it comes to managing your student life – job or no job. But if you’re serious about working, time management is the key to making it all happily tick along together. First up, you will need to have your timetable locked down to the nearest minute before you consider accepting a work schedule. You’ll also need to get across every single deadline and upcoming assessment task to make it all work. Use a wall planner, a diary and a study schedule to allocate your time and try and have a full understanding of all your course demands before committing to a job. Having a fixed schedule and staying organised will help you manage the pressure and understand what’s possible.
Work ahead
When it comes to exam season or assessment due dates, a job will give you less time flexibility than your student peers. It’s really important to stay ahead of the game right from the outset. As your course progresses, make revision notes and review summaries along the way, particularly as each topic finishes. When it comes to revising course content at the Semester end, this will put you a step ahead of most other students, with everything you need ready at hand. Always prioritise your study at key academic times and don’t be afraid to say No to anything you consider a distraction. There will always be a degree of pressure on any free time you have outside of work and study, so make sure you find time to relax and unwind. This is an equally important part of your student schedule and will definitely help you manage stress in the long term.
Stay committed but don’t over commit
Once you have a good work/study balance in place, try to commit to the cause. Equally, it’s important to ensure that you haven’t over committed in either category. If you are struggling to deliver the hours at work – consider cutting back until your study schedule allows more flexibility. Be very clear in advance about your availability. Similarly, if you feel you’re not delivering enough academically, think about how you can resolve this. Many courses offer flexibility for students in this situation by providing opportunities to catch up on lectures and tutorials, as well as offering later opening hours for library and IT services. You might be able to supplement your course with some online learning.
Look after yourself
If you’re serious about balancing your study with a job, it’s important to make sure you’re looking after yourself along the way. Eating a healthy diet, staying active and getting enough sleep every night means you can make the most of each new day. Find some time in your schedule that’s all about you – whether that’s a simple stroll outside, a coffee with friends or a trip to the gym. If you’re feeling burnt out, your motivations are dwindling, or you’re feeling excessive amounts of tiredness or stress, that is the time to ask for help. Universities and student accommodation providers have trained staff on hand that can help advise on planning out your finances, and ensure your time as a student is viable and supported.
Thinking about getting a job? Find out more with these job-hunting tips.
Photo by Brooke Cagle on Unsplash
