Is it easy to work while pursuing an academic education? Of course not; but at the very least, your financial income will increase and most likely, can be contributed towards paying some of your education costs. One of the biggest difficulties with learning on the job is balancing your schedule to maximize productivity in both areas. Therefore, make sure you read carefully the various powerful tips for learning while working discussed in this article, yes!
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Method 1 of 5: Work While Studying
Step 1. Choose an academic program that “requires” you to work
Many universities offer programs that allow their students to work while studying at the same time. In many cases, the university provides educational scholarships that will pay for your studies until completion; instead, you have to work as a teaching assistant or laboratory assistant at the university. In addition, there are also universities that open job vacancies only for their own students. Basically, the type of work and the consequences that follow vary greatly. To find out what options you have, try to consult with the university where you currently belong.l
- By joining such a program, chances are that your work schedule will not clash with your academic schedule. After all, your supervisor or boss certainly understands your position as a student and is willing to adapt your professional responsibilities to the existing academic burden.
- Some professions that you can try are working part-time in a library or university dormitory.
- Keep your eyes open to various positions that open up learning opportunities on the job!
- Generally, you can register an email address to receive various university information, including jobs that students can apply for.
Step 2. Look for job opportunities in your major
For example, if you majored in Anthropology, try to find information about part-time jobs in your major. In some big universities, the faculty often opens job opportunities for students to help with academic administrative matters, etc.
- Working in your department or faculty is effective in highlighting your qualities in front of the faculty and your friends. In addition, you will also be the first to know if there is a job offer that is in line with your course of study.
- If you want, try asking your teacher for job recommendations that match your interests. Chances are, they'll even refer you to jobs past alumni of your course and help you find potential jobs!
Step 3. Evaluate the time you can devote to work each week
If all your time, money, and energy is spent on education, chances are your job will be secondary; most importantly, make sure you know how much time you have to work. After that, you will be faced with various job options that are more relevant.
If working part-time weekly feels too burdensome, try to work only when you are off from college
Step 4. Consider not taking a job while attending class
If your chosen academic program really requires you to be actively involved in it (such as legal or medical education), consider leaving work and focusing on your studies. If you need money to cover your education costs, try a scholarship program or academic loan. If you really don't want to work while studying, try postponing your academic education for one year and working full-time during that period.
If you choose a highly competitive academic program (or if your academic success really determines the quality of the work you will get), it's best to prioritize your academic education and not have to work. Although it really depends on the major you take, chances are that the job you get after graduation will be able to pay for all your financial needs and bills
Step 5. Remind yourself of the benefits of having work experience
If you're still having a hard time deciding, or if you just want to work for an enriching experience rather than a financial gain, there are several important factors to consider. In fact, the “real world” offered by the work environment is often seen as equal, if not more valuable than an academic degree. If you have work experience before graduating, your future job opportunities will certainly be wider.
Even if your job and academic choices are irrelevant, at least having work experience will still teach you how to communicate, prioritize responsibilities, and other things that are needed in the future
Step 6. Consider non-traditional methods of achieving financial gain
One of the classic ways for students to earn money is by participating in various forms of academic study; for example, you could try to become a tutor, especially if you really know the subject matter.
Method 2 of 5: Taking Education While At Work
Step 1. Understand the academic responsibilities you can manage
In other words, make sure the time, money, and energy you invest in academics is commensurate with wasted work time or busyness that will burden your life later. If you already have an established job but still want to pursue higher academic degrees, be prepared to face the consequences that will befall your job.
- Some students choose to work full-time while pursuing part-time education. If you are interested in choosing this option, several universities have employee class programs that you can join.
- Try to consult with the academic advisor at the institution you are going to and ask for program recommendations that are in line with your work schedule.
Step 2. Understand the benefits
If you have a full-time job, chances are you want to keep it or are even pursuing a promotion. In fact, having a degree in an academic field can help you achieve that goal, you know! In fact, your professional experience will definitely contribute positively to your various academic assignments.
- If you work as a person who monitors office social media, the knowledge you have at work will definitely be useful to enrich your assignments in marketing business class.
- In some cases, you can even adapt the topic or assignment material to your work in the office. For example, if you are asked to design a new marketing campaign at work, try applying the campaign idea to your academic work; surely, you will surely succeed in winning the hearts of your teacher and boss at the office! One paddle, two or three islands crossed, right?
Step 3. Always provide information to your boss or supervisor
There's no need to share specific details about your schedule outside of work to colleagues at work; but at least, inform ahead of time if there are academic responsibilities that are likely to affect your performance in the office. If your current position is full-time, make sure you share important academic information with your boss at work, such as your final exam schedule. Convey this information ahead of time so they can make adjustments regarding your professional responsibilities.
Step 4. Consider changing jobs
Want to maximize academic value while still working at the same time? Try to find a job that is more flexible and less time-consuming. If your current job doesn't have the potential to advance your career ladder, it shouldn't be too difficult for you to find a new job that's more productive but more flexible.
- For example, industrial companies generally allow their employees to work part time. Most likely, they will also allow you to take additional academic classes.
- You could also try working part time at a nearby restaurant or bar. Such work, while not easy, has potential for those of you who want high hourly pay; Plus, the job responsibilities don't run the risk of disrupting your academic focus.
Method 3 of 5: Maintaining a Routine to Increase Productivity
Step 1. Arrange a detailed schedule
Get in the habit of setting up a weekly schedule and taking time to study each day. You can record the study schedule on your calendar or on your cellphone; You can even take advantage of various electronic applications to organize your daily schedule. Adjust the study schedule to your daily life, including your work responsibilities and social activities.
Step 2. Develop a schedule for performing specific academic responsibilities
After receiving an assignment from the teacher, immediately set a specific schedule to complete it. Chances are, you'll also need to adjust your work schedule to make sure you don't have to work before an assignment deadline or exam day.
- Since the beginning of the semester, transfer all the information listed on the academic syllabus to the calendar; that way, you always know important dates such as the due date for assignments or exams.
- One method worth trying is always studying for 1-2 hours before or after work.
- Once you've made a schedule for the week ahead, try to stick to it no matter what. For example, don't take on extra work during the time you should be studying, unless you're sure you can make up for the study debt the next day.
Step 3. Build a good relationship with your classmates
Basically, the existence of communication and information technology has greatly facilitated humans to learn collaboratively instead of independently. Trust me, you'll be able to understand the material better if you discuss it in a group instead of trying to study it alone.
- Include collaborative learning sessions (study in groups) in your weekly schedule; for example, you could take some of your classmates to study together at a cafe near campus every Tuesday night. Sounds more fun, right?
- If your class has group chats in a messaging app, try getting your friends to study together through the group. If you don't have one, create a special group on any messaging app or social media you want and invite your friends to join it.
Method 4 of 5: Maximizing Academic Achievement
Step 1. Determine the right study location
Find a study location that can help you focus and complete all the material well. Besides helping to improve your focus, the right study location will also improve your academic quality (which will indirectly affect your performance in the office). Whatever location you choose (whether it's in your library or your bedroom), make sure it's free from distractions so that it supports your productivity.
- Avoid study locations that have televisions or other distractions that can distract you.
- Turn off your phone and use headphones if your study location isn't distraction-free. If you want to listen to music, make sure you choose instrumental music so you can focus properly.
- Get into the habit of keeping all the material you need to study in one place, whether it's in your backpack or in your desk drawer.
Step 2. Set up a regular study schedule and stick to it
Most likely, the academic and workload that is too large will make you tempted to pile up material that must be studied and/or worked on. But believe me, your mind will be able to work more effectively if it is only used optimally for an hour or two. Therefore, do not procrastinate and pile up work; instead, set a schedule to pay off all your academic responsibilities ahead of time.
- To keep your study schedule consistent, try to get into the habit of studying at the same time four to five times a week.
- A consistent study routine is effective in increasing your productivity and learning effectiveness! In addition, your focus will increase because your brain accepts "learning" activities as a part of your daily life.
- By having a regular study schedule, you can skip a study session or two as long as you can get back into your routine as quickly as possible.
Step 3. Study with specific goals
If you have a goal, you won't be tempted to procrastinate; As a result, your study time can be used more productively. Therefore, make sure you always sit in front of the study table with a specific purpose; surely, your mind will be directed to the right track so that it can work more effectively. If you have multiple academic assignments to complete, make sure you always do the most difficult and/or important first.
- Remember, it takes greater mental and emotional effort to complete a challenging task; therefore, try to do it while your body and mind are still fresh. You can complete the remaining tasks in the next study session.
- Reread your notes before starting the assignment. Remember, it is very important that you thoroughly understand the purpose of the assignment, the learning objectives of the material, and the specific requirements requested by the teacher before undertaking any assignment.
Method 5 of 5: Maintaining Mental and Physical Health
Step 1. Take time to rest
In other words, don't hesitate to make a schedule for various activities that are relaxing and fun! No matter how busy your schedule is, your body and mind still need time to rest and renew their energy. Remember, no one lives only to study and work! Therefore, try to invite your closest friends to do various relaxing and fun activities; if possible, choose activities that can stimulate your physical activity.
- Always take time to rest, no matter how busy your day is. In the midst of your busy life, take time to walk around the complex without carrying your cell phone; try not to think about work or academic responsibilities during this period. Instead, allow your skin to feel a breath of fresh air and the warmth of the sun; Also, allow your eyes to observe the variations in the color of the leaves and the layout of the city from a different perspective.
- Try working or studying for 50 minutes, then taking a 10 or 15 minute break before returning to work or study for 50 minutes.
- Plan a vacation after a very hectic period. Besides being useful for relaxing your body and mind, the vacation also serves as a 'reward' for you after a busy day; surely, in the future you will be more enthusiastic to complete various academic and professional responsibilities because you are motivated by these prizes.
Step 2. Exercise
Remember, your body and mind need to be managed properly so that you can live your daily life more focused and maximally. Therefore, try to do cardiovascular exercise 3-4 times a week of 30 minutes each. If you really have limited time to do it, at least try to get up early and do a light jog before the activity.
Maintaining an exercise routine is not easy; however, try your best to fit your schedule. Believe me, after the body has adapted, you will be waiting for those moments to come
Step 3. Rest as much as possible
While you may be tempted to stay up late to prepare for a presentation or study exam material the next day, do your best to get enough sleep. Everyone's sleep needs vary; but at the very least, make sure you get eight hours of sleep every night.
- Try to sleep without an alarm for three days in a row; most likely, the duration of your sleep on the second and third nights is the amount of sleep your body needs.
- Make sure you get at least seven hours of sleep every night.
- If you wake up too late on the weekends, chances are your body needs more sleep on weekdays.
Step 4. Consider health and energy when choosing foods
Someone who is trapped in academic and work busyness often chooses to eat instant food but is not healthy. Instead of stopping by a fast food restaurant during lunch time, try visiting the nearest supermarket and buying foods that contain vegetables such as lettuce ready to eat. Make sure you also buy some fruit to eat as an afternoon snack; in addition to healthy, your energy will be awake throughout the day.
- Do not forget breakfast. Remember, breakfast will not only keep you energized throughout the day, but is also effective in maintaining the body's metabolic rhythm. Make sure you always eat a healthy breakfast menu such as granola made from whole grains with Greek yogurt; also use natural sweeteners such as honey or fruit.
- Make sure you always carry healthy snacks such as raw or salted nuts with you.
Step 5. Know your limits
If you're constantly feeling upset, stressed, tired, or not feeling well, it means that your brain and body need to rest. Whenever you feel too tired to work, try asking your supervisor or boss for a few days off; take this time to rest and, if possible, to do neglected academic work. On the other hand, if the academic assignment you received is negatively affecting your performance at work, try to consult your situation with a college counselor or reduce your academic burden in the next semester.
