Professionals know how hard it is to create a work-life balance. In one way or another, every working individual strives to keep some leisure time for themselves outside of work. However, a fair number of people fail to achieve this balance and end up as workaholics. Throw in the goal of acquiring education alongside work, and you have an even more complicated situation. Work-life balance becomes work-life-study, and this can be tiresome if you don’t manage things properly.
It’s great that you are pursuing your education alongside work- it is necessary for professional advancement. But be warned, the road ahead full of challenges.
But worry not, this article will help you learn how to create the ideal balance between working and studying. Listed below are a few tips that can help you achieve your professional and academic goals without breaking a sweat.
Go remote when you can
Modern problems need modern solutions. Now that online education is becoming a norm, it would be smart to capitalize on this opportunity and earn a degree on the internet. Not only can you complete your undergraduate, but many online learning portals also offer master’s and other higher education courses and certifications as well. The Carroll University Online Masters program offers that possibility. So, suppose you’re looking for quick and flexible options to up-skill your financial expertise. In that case, you can enroll in a masters in accountancy online while you continue your job. The best part; online learning platforms have a more diverse range of subjects and programs to choose from. You’re bound to find something that piques your interest.
Opting for an online degree is one of the best ways to achieve a work-education balance. You’ll save time in your daily commute and will be able to create study schedules around your job’s timings.
Study during your breaks
We all love our work breaks. But studying alongside work brings its fair share of challenges. You might need to forgo your lunchtime to cram in some school work quickly. Use this time effectively to complete pending assignments or do a quick reading. However, try not to burn yourself out like this. You don’t want to be exhausted by the end of your break and slack at work.
The best thing to do is skim and scan and make notes when you can. Highlight what you think is essential and jot it down in your trusty notebook. This way, you can go home and recap.
Get your supervisor onboard
If your boss is aware that you are studying alongside your job, it can make things more manageable. If you have a good relationship with your superior, explain how hard it is to manage things. Perhaps they can help you out sometimes. By relaxing work-related deadlines
Reducing your hours and understanding when you’re available or coming in late can go a long way in helping you create a balanced routine. Having someone who is looking out for you doesn’t just give you the extra levee at work. It can also potentially instill a sense of motivation, knowing that someone has your back. Plus, if you’re smart, you’ll tell your boss that your education will eventually benefit the company. In fact, if you’re extra lucky, some employers even fund their employees’ higher education. Hence, getting them on board with your educational plans is usually beneficial.
Don’t procrastinate till the end
You can’t expect yourself to perform to the best of your capabilities if you’ve been pulling all-nighters for either work or school. Your performance at work can suffer a lot if you’re preoccupied and thinking about an unfinished assignment or an upcoming assessment. Similarly, if you have unfinished work-related commitments, you can’t focus properly on your studies as you should be.
If you have difficulty with time management, using a planner or a task management app can be pretty helpful. Furthermore, you can break your tasks down into smaller, more manageable chunks and set deadlines to complete them. This way, you won’t have a mountain of work to finish at the end of the day.
If you’re easily distracted, however, you might need some added discipline to keep yourself from procrastinating. Ask people around you, such as family members and friends, to help you keep any distractions like social media at bay while you’re studying or working.
Set boundaries
You’ll be surprised at the amount of time wasted while running small errands or breaks because you couldn’t say no. Not only will you feel guilty later, but your performance will suffer for work and school. If you’re on a short timeline and people ask you to do something or take an unplanned break, it’s best to tell them off and priorities your tasks.
If you’re around people who respect your goals and needs, they won’t take it personally when you cancel plans. Instead, they’ll recognize the importance of your goals and give you the space you need to achieve an appropriate work-study balance. Of course, this doesn’t mean that you devote all your time to working and never make any plans. You can cancel plans when you have a packed schedule and make a few when you’re free.
Conclusion
Balancing work and education can seem like an impossible task, but not if you follow these tips. It takes a little dedication, but achieving a balance doesn’t need to be as hard walking a trapeze. It’s important not to overwork and burn yourself out. When things seem like they’re becoming overwhelming, don’t be afraid to reach out to others and ask for help.