As an adult, there are various obligations that you must fulfill. You have to work, pay bills, provide for the household, spouse, and children. In addition to work, maybe you want to go back to college to achieve a better life. While working while studying is not easy, you can fulfill your responsibilities in a balanced way by being tactful, making good plans, and getting support from those closest to you.
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Method 1 of 5: Creating a Schedule
Step 1. Create a flexible schedule
There are certain activities that make your schedule inflexible, for example when you have to be in class and at work. Set a schedule for doing homework and studying outside of school and work. Set a schedule of routine activities that you can carry out well, but can still be adjusted if there are other more important needs. As a working student, you must be prepared for new assignments, urgent matters, and problems that need to be resolved immediately. Determine a study schedule that is long enough so that there is still time if you have not had time to study because there are unexpected needs.
- Set up a calendar. Write down the tasks you have to complete each day. Cross out the tasks you have done. This way, you can see how many tasks you have completed and set a schedule for other pending tasks.
- If you live with someone else, put this calendar where everyone can see it. That way, they won't make plans that involve you when you can't come along.
Step 2. Prepare the agenda
An agenda can be especially helpful if your schedule is very busy and your activities are so diverse that it's hard to remember. Write down all fixed schedules, such as class schedules, work schedules, deadlines, and family-related obligations. This way, you know exactly when you can study and when you can have fun.
Step 3. Use a smartphone
Smartphones usually provide a calendar or to-do application. Many devices can sync with your laptop or desktop so you can access your calendar or to-do apps with both devices. If you add a note to your calendar on your phone, such as a due date for classwork, this schedule will also appear on your desktop at home.
Step 4. Share your schedule
Share your schedule with friends and family members. Give a picture of what a working student's life is like so that they can empathize, even provide support to you. At least they know when you have free time and when you can't be bothered.
Create an online calendar and then send your link to people who need to know where you are at any given time. Register as a user of a website that provides a calendar app or use Google Calendar which you can easily share
Step 5. Plan your study activities
Find out what activities you need to do in order to achieve your goals and then set goals for yourself. Do you have to take five courses to complete a semester? Look for information whether there is a class schedule for the next few years. Each campus has a different schedule. Meet with your supervisor and ask him or her to explain the full course program so that you can prepare well.
Step 6. Make time for your family
When setting up your schedule, include time for family events and activities at home to fulfill your family responsibilities, such as tidying up the house or doing fun activities with your partner and kids. Set a schedule for washing clothes, cooking, and eating with the family in addition to studying and other work-related activities.
If you have young children, make sure their needs are met. Set a schedule for dropping her off at daycare/school. There are workplaces and schools that provide child care services. Children should eat regularly and allow enough time for them to see you. Don't ignore them because you have to go to college or study
Step 7. Make a schedule for weekly social activities
Keep friendship with friends. At the beginning of the week, set a schedule for hanging out with friends each week. This will show that you're still trying to keep the friendship going and that there's something you're looking forward to this week.
Step 8. Make time for yourself
The many obligations that you have to fulfill sometimes make you so busy that you don't have time to rest. However, you should give yourself time each week so you don't get too tired and stressed. Even if you only have an hour for coffee without taking the kids or reading a book by yourself, make an effort to make time for yourself to stay healthy and happy.
Method 2 of 5: Forming Efficient Study Habits
Step 1. Get used to being neat
Organize your college supplies neatly and put them in one place so they are easy to find. Keep all deadlines on your calendar and start working on your coursework early so you'll still have time in case there's an urgent need. If there are several tasks that you have to complete, don't use all the time available just to do certain tasks so that other tasks can be completed according to their respective deadlines.
Step 2. Take notes during the lecture
Focus on the main topics covered during the lesson, instead of paying attention to unimportant information. Write down the main steps in each process, summarizing the material described in sequence, the information your lecturer has conveyed over and over again, and all the material written on the board or lecture diktat. Lecturers will ask for this information in the exam, so take full notes.
If you missed school for some reason, ask a friend if she'd mind sharing her notes with you
Step 3. Find a quiet place to study
You need a comfortable, distraction-free place to study. Make sure there are comfortable chairs, tables, good lighting, and all the study supplies you need.
Step 4. Get rid of anything that can distract you during your study
Turn off your phone and TV first, don't open email, leave social media. An important aspect that supports learning efficiency is the ability to focus all efforts on the task to be completed.
- If you're easily distracted by certain websites (e.g. YouTube, Facebook, etc.), download an app that can limit access to those websites and make you focus more on your studies. When you're done studying, you can unblock it and access it again as usual.
- Make sure your family understands how important study time is to you so they don't bother you. Don't feel guilty for telling them that you can't help while studying.
Step 5. Study regularly
Start studying after the first lecture is over and regularly read the material just covered. Don't procrastinate and force yourself to memorize material that was discussed a month or so ago overnight. Your brain cannot process and store large amounts of information at once. The human brain is like a muscle that will get stronger if it is trained little by little. Don't expect stronger muscles if you only go to the gym once and then practice lifting really heavy weights. You have to train at the gym (study) regularly little by little in order to achieve gradual improvement.
Step 6. Consult with the lecturer who teaches you
If there's a topic you don't understand, see an expert. Many lecturers are based on campus and/or can answer questions about course material via email. Get in the habit of discussing with the lecturer so that it is easier for you to understand the lecture material discussed in class.
Step 7. Visit the on-campus tutoring center
Many schools provide tutoring staff (fellow students and alumni) who provide free or low-cost tutoring. Instead of studying the same material for hours and still not getting it, it's a good idea to find a tutor who can teach you.
Method 3 of 5: Work Efficiently
Step 1. Write down all the tasks you need to complete
Make a list of easy and difficult tasks, such as replying to emails, submitting forms, attending meetings, and other activities you have to do today.
Step 2. Reorder your tasks
List the most important tasks at the top, followed by other tasks until the least important ones are last. If there are activities that are not useful, just cross them out. Do not waste time doing useless things because it will reduce work productivity.
Step 3. Tidy up your workplace
Organizing the workplace is a productive way to start work, for example by tidying up piled up items, storing files, forms, and reports in a certain way, and managing them well.
- First of all, get rid of things that are not needed while you are working. You can display family knick-knacks and photos, but everything else should be stored elsewhere. Create a distraction-free workplace.
- Second, define files or information (such as business cards, standard forms, e-mail addresses, payroll logs, or data reports) that you can easily access at any time. Buy an orderner and enter the information according to the group so you can find it again easily.
- Third, tidy up your file storage before you go home. Keep all your forms in good order so you can get to work in peace every morning.
Step 4. Get used to working together in teams
Delegate tasks by dividing tasks so that complex jobs can be completed together by involving other team members. Don't spend all day just to complete a task alone, even though it can be completed in just a few hours if done together by a small team.
You are free to refuse work for which you are not responsible. If someone asks for help, even though you've been very busy this week, explain that you want to help, but you have homework to do
Step 5. Consider whether you need to talk to your boss
If you feel the need to talk to your boss, explain that the activities you are currently engaged in can improve skills that are beneficial to the company and help you qualify for a promotion. If your boss provides support, working while studying will be easier for you. If needed, he can even adjust the hours of work to make your course run smoothly.
Consider first the pros and cons of talking to your boss because he may not see the learning activities you are doing as beneficial for the company
Method 4 of 5: Coping With Stress
Step 1. Separate work and study
Don't think about work while you are studying and vice versa. Focus on doing them one at a time. Don't bring textbooks to work and don't finish work on campus. Use time well in its place. You don't have to feel guilty about focusing on your studies while attending college if you've worked well during your work hours.
Step 2. Rest as needed
Take time to rest so you can return to work/study with a clear mind, for example by walking, reading the newspaper, or drinking tea. Take short breaks every few hours, but limit them to 5-10 minutes to avoid wasting your time.
Don't fill your break time with useless activities. Almost everyone likes to watch MTV, chat with friends, or read Facebook for hours. If you tend to find it difficult to disengage from certain activities that will upset the balance between work and college, try to stay away from them as much as possible. Do not let your attention be distracted by these things while resting
Step 3. Stay fit
Get in the habit of stretching, swimming, running, or lifting weights. Healthy living habits can deal with stress and the more you exercise, the easier it will be for you to work and study. Exercising is a way to relieve stress that many people have done. Scientists have proven that aerobic exercise can reduce stress, improve and stabilize emotions, and increase self-esteem.
Step 4. Get used to getting enough sleep at night
Schedule time to sleep. Research has shown that sleep can improve memory, improve mood, and keep you awake. These three things are useful for preventing stress. Studying late into the night is sometimes necessary, but don't make it a habit. If you're sleep deprived, take a nap (15-30 minutes) so that your brain is refreshed.
Step 5. Get used to eating healthy foods
Choose fibrous foods and contain carbohydrates. Scientists believe that carbohydrates help the brain produce the hormone serotonin, which makes us feel relaxed. Fiber foods will improve the digestive system. Eat fruits and vegetables rich in antioxidants to boost immunity. Oranges contain lots of vitamin C. Mustard greens, spinach, and carrots are sources of beta-carotene which are useful as antioxidants. A balanced diet will help you work and study in a balanced way.
Avoid fatty foods, limit caffeine intake, and don't eat foods/drinks that contain sugar. The fat content in meat and cheese will thicken the blood and make your body sluggish. Caffeine may still be needed, but limit its consumption and don't let it make it difficult for you to sleep. Lastly, sugar is a simple carbohydrate that will give you energy for a while, but makes you sleepy afterwards. Choose foods that contain complex carbohydrates, such as pasta, beans, and lentils
Method 5 of 5: Get into the habit of Positive Thinking
Step 1. Be realistic
Time constraints sometimes make it difficult for you to complete tasks. So, do what is a priority and don't blame yourself if there are tasks that have not been carried out according to plan. Be a positive person and be grateful for the opportunity to work and go to school, two things that many people in this world don't have.
Studying and working at the same time is not something that everyone can do. Be realistic and set priorities. Don't let college activities drain your income and ruin your family's happiness
Step 2. Remember why you are doing this
Working while studying means accepting a challenge that many people avoid. However, you won't do it without some motivation. Maybe you chose to go to school to pay off debt or improve your career. Whatever the reason, keep your destination in mind in case your journey starts to get tough.
Step 3. Let other people help you
Doing everything alone will usually be more difficult. Talk to someone if you tend to get irritated a lot, withdraw from relationships, are easily distracted or forgetful, are anxious, or are experiencing emotional baggage. Discuss your condition with a partner, parent, friend, or professional counselor. Many colleges have full-time counsellors, advisors, and therapists ready to help you with any problems. One of the steps you need to know to be successful is to know how to get support from others.
Step 4. Keep your spirits up
Don't start something and then stop. Taking a semester off can be a good solution, but only use this method in exceptional circumstances, such as illness, serious injury, or the death of a family member. If college activities make you too tired, cut back on the next semester's courses and take at least one course that you enjoy. If you don't, you may lose momentum and not want to go to college.
Step 5. Record what you do in a diary
Write down what you want to do each day and the activities you have done. This method helps you achieve your goals every day.
Step 6. Celebrate small and big successes
Get in the habit of measuring your progress. Cross out a class that has been completed or use a clock with a countdown to measure the time you have to pass. This method makes you focus on the "gift" that you will get. Celebrate your success with friends and family after you've overcome small and big obstacles, such as getting a good grade on your paper, passing an exam, or graduating from college. You can motivate yourself by celebrating success.
Step 7. Know that this activity can be done well
Even though you may feel very stressed at times, remember that many people have already succeeded in doing the same thing. So you can too.
