My Advice To The Working College Student | The Odyssey Online
Start writing a post
Student Life

My Advice To The Working College Student

Hang in there, you're not alone.

234
My Advice To The Working College Student
USNews.com

As if college wasn't hard enough, adding in the stress of a job can be quite demanding on a day-to-day basis. As a "straight A" student who works full-time and goes to school full-time, I constantly hear the phrase “I don’t know how you do it.” It's not always easy to maintain a balance between everything, but it is possible to prosper in your academic and work realms while having a personal life if you prioritize effectively.

Here are a few helpful tips for establishing a well-balanced system.

1. Be savvy while in class

Your time is valuable; don't waste it by not taking advantage of classroom resources. By taking notes and participating, you’ll save time later on when studying for a midterm or working on an assignment. It also helps retain the information you are learning in class. Looking for extra credit opportunities can also help bump up your grade if you miss an assignment or don't do as well on a test as you thought.


2. Take online classes

Taking classes online can free up your schedule a bit and make you a more flexible full-time college student and worker. Even just one online class can alleviate scheduling conflicts with work and school, and also allow you to be in class on your own time. Online classes can be challenging at first, but staying organized will help. If you are able to take more than one class online then do it; it will be beneficial for your work-life balance in the long run.


3. Make time for fun


You are constantly under a lot of pressure and time constraints; it's important to get some mental rest. Watch a couple episodes of your favorite show, have a night out with your friends, take a yoga class– whatever you enjoy doing, make time to do it. Depriving yourself of enjoyment will make you miserable, and it’ll start to show in both your school and work performance. It's ok to take breaks; you're mental health needs them.


4. Don't procrastinate

Procrastination is a toxic habit – a deeply ingrained pattern of behavior. That means that you won’t just break it overnight. You have to be persistent and work to stay on top of all your assignments. Save yourself the mental aching, and don’t let weeks of homework pile up for one night.


5. Get a calendar (or two)

You're taking multiple classes, you have a work schedule, you have personal obligations, and somehow you need to keep track of it all. Whether you use the calendar in your phone, a handwritten planner, or a printed version you made in Excel, you need to know what's coming up and prioritize your activities accordingly. Time management is everything.


6. Approach problems with creativity

Juggling all your work and trying to prioritize can lead to conflicts in different life areas. You need to resolve these issues creatively and find a way to satisfy both ends of the issue. If you work and go to school, you have to be driven and confident in your abilities to manage everything in your life. You have gotten to where you are for a reason, so don’t let any obstacle diminish your ambition.


7. Seek out support

Whether it’s from a family member, friend, colleague, or peer; talking to people that support your goals will keep you from feeling too overwhelmed. Be comfortable if you need to approach your manager at work or an advisor at school if you have concerns about classes, or need advice about your situation. There are always people that are willing to help. You are not alone in this.


8. Know that this is only temporary

You are going through a difficult and stressful time right now, but you'll get through it! Establishing realistic career goals and having plans after graduation will keep you motivated to continue. Stay focused on the finish line; it'll all be worth it once you get that diploma.

Report this Content
This article has not been reviewed by Odyssey HQ and solely reflects the ideas and opinions of the creator.
Entertainment

Most Epic Aurora Borealis Photos: October 2024

As if May wasn't enough, a truly spectacular Northern Lights show lit up the sky on Oct. 10, 2024

336
stunning aurora borealis display over a forest of trees and lake
StableDiffusion

From sea to shining sea, the United States was uniquely positioned for an incredible Aurora Borealis display on Thursday, Oct. 10, 2024, going into Friday, Oct. 11.

It was the second time this year after an historic geomagnetic storm in May 2024. Those Northern Lights were visible in Europe and North America, just like this latest rendition.

Keep Reading...Show less
 silhouette of a woman on the beach at sunrise
StableDiffusion

Content warning: This article contains descriptions of suicide/suicidal thoughts.

When you are feeling down, please know that there are many reasons to keep living.

Keep Reading...Show less
Relationships

Power of Love Letters

I don't think I say it enough...

446805
Illistrated image of a letter with 2 red hearts
StableDiffusion

To My Loving Boyfriend,

  • Thank you for all that you do for me
  • Thank you for working through disagreements with me
  • Thank you for always supporting me
  • I appreciate you more than words can express
  • You have helped me grow and become a better person
  • I can't wait to see where life takes us next
  • I promise to cherish every moment with you
  • Thank you for being my best friend and confidante
  • I love you and everything you do

To start off, here's something I don't say nearly enough: thank you. Thank you, thank you, thank you from the bottom of my heart. You do so much for me that I can't even put into words how much I appreciate everything you do - and have done - for me over the course of our relationship so far. While every couple has their fair share of tiffs and disagreements, thank you for getting through all of them with me and making us a better couple at the other end. With any argument, we don't just throw in the towel and say we're done, but we work towards a solution that puts us in a greater place each day. Thank you for always working with me and never giving up on us.

Keep Reading...Show less
Lifestyle

11 Signs You Grew Up In Hauppauge, NY

Because no one ever really leaves.

20103
Map of Hauppauge, New York
Google

Ah, yes, good old Hauppauge. We are that town in the dead center of Long Island that barely anyone knows how to pronounce unless they're from the town itself or live in a nearby area. Hauppauge is home to people of all kinds. We always have new families joining the community but honestly, the majority of the town is filled with people who never leave (high school alumni) and elders who have raised their kids here. Around the town, there are some just some landmarks and places that only the people of Hauppauge will ever understand the importance or even the annoyance of.

Keep Reading...Show less
Lifestyle

Moana's Top 10 Life Tips

"Moana" is filled with life lessons that involve far more than finding true love as many other Disney movies do.

43506
Animated image of a woman with long dark hair and tattoos
StableDiffusion

1. It's easy to be fooled by shiny things.

Digital image of shiny gemstones in cased in gold. shiny things StableDiffusion

Tamatoa created a liar filled with shiny things simply for the purpose of tricking fish to enter and become his food. He too experiences a lesson in how easy it is to be tricked by shiny things when Moana distracts him by covering herself in glowing algae so Maui can grab his hook.

Keep Reading...Show less

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Facebook Comments