Seven tips to continue your education while working full-time
Continuing your education with a full-time job seems daunting and scary. When it comes to balancing job and study tasks, it can mean hurrying across town after work to make it to evening classes or completing an online assignment at night after a hectic workday. It sounds so draining to bear work stress and manage study routines simultaneously. But regardless of its difficulties, many people worldwide have successfully attained a degree while holding a full-time job. That shows it may be a challenging task but not one that’s impossible to accomplish.
According to a report by Georgetown University, 25% of working learners are simultaneously pursuing a degree with a full-time job. These people, balancing full-time jobs and studies, are not more genius than the average person. They are just using some specific methods to be successful. Thus, if you also have decided to continue your education while working full time, here’s how you can do the same. Read this article thoroughly to learn seven beneficial tips to manage studies with a full-time job without losing your sanity.
Prefer online courses:
Once you have secured your full-time job after graduation and now want to earn your master’s degree, take the plunge. There are many masters degree colleges that provide online courses giving you the chance to enhance the knowledge and skills you learned during your undergraduate courses. However, use the most suitable way of earning the degree to gain maximum benefits from it with your job routines.
Online courses are the best option for someone who wants to continue education with a full-time job. Because online courses offer the flexibility that many traditional courses don’t, it becomes much easier to balance work and study. For instance, in the case of online courses, you don’t have to commute to a campus, and you can take lectures anytime at your convenience. As long as you complete all your assignments timely, online courses are an ideal option alongside a full-time job.
Keep your manager informed:
Unless you are an entrepreneur, you should always keep your manager informed about your study plans because there will probably be times when your studies and job schedules clash with one another. Your manager must be aware of your study schedule to avoid such situations. Most managers are supportive, but they can only be helpful if you let them know your study plans.
Make sure you inform your manager:
- When you need a day or some time off to study
- When you can come to work to make up for your off times.
Create a separate study area:
You have spent a whole day at the office managing your long task list and have just arrived back in the comfort of your home. One of the last things you want to do here is your evening studies. Another tip for managing studies with a full-time job is to create a separate study area. A separate study area will increase your energy level and motivate you to study well. Away from home distractions, find yourself a local library or a quiet coffee shop to study.
Don’t waste your commute:
Most of us spend a lot of time traveling. Rather than using that time to listen to music or the news, we can use it to continue our education. There are many ways to do this. You can listen to your college or university lectures or read textbooks that you need for your courses. You can also watch educational videos on YouTube or listen to audiobooks related to your field of study.
Audiobooks are a great way to get through books you wouldn’t normally have time for. They can be listened to at a leisurely pace, which is perfect for when you’re driving or via public transport. Alternatively, podcasts are excellent resources for learning in a variety of industries.
Utilize every spare minute:
It is not difficult to find time to continue your education when working full time. You just have to be creative and utilize every minute throughout the day. One way to do this is by waking up a few minutes earlier each morning to read or listen to an educational podcast. You can also take a break during your lunch hour to read a book or article related to your field. Here are a few tips for making the most of your time:
-Get organized: Make a schedule and stick to it. Dedicate specific times to studying and homework each day, and be strict about it.
-Set priorities: Determine what is most important to you and focus on those tasks first.
Utilize your vacation time:
Studying and working full-time is possible only if you utilize your time wisely. You have to sacrifice your pleasure activities to be successful in both areas. For example, instead of watching television for an hour, spend that time studying or utilize your vacation period to complete your assignments. It is wise to do most of your educational work on vacations so you may not have to do a lot on working days.
Make to-do lists:
There is a high chance of getting overwhelmed while managing studies and job routines. Make a proper plan to manage things so you may not overburden yourself. A to-do list can help you a lot as it can reduce stress by increasing productivity and motivation. Try to follow these steps to make your to-do list:
- Make a list of all the items you need to complete.
- Break down those items into manageable tasks that you can complete in a short time.
- Set a goal for how much time you want to spend on learning each day. That way, you’ll have a sense of accomplishment and be more likely to keep going.
Certainly, it is challenging to study and work full-time. It demands dedication, sacrifice, and strategic use of time. If you are motivated and determined enough to make an effort, you can succeed. Just make sure not to overstress yourself and wisely manage all your study plans in accordance with your full-time job.