September is here and Labor Day is over, which means school is officially in full swing. Summer feels like a distant memory as you’re now focused on that full college schedule. For many of us, this means finding a balance between school and work, since it has been proven that many college students also work full or part time jobs. We can all agree that school in itself can be stressful; add work to that and you might end up with ultimate chaos. The college student body is now made up of many adults who are coming back to school after developing families, and who also have added responsibilities that the average teenage student may not have. Going back to school can be one of the most challenging undertakings of your life, and for any student, trying to balance both work and school is proven to be very difficult. As a college student who also has a full time job, I have learned a few things along my journey. Here are a few tips to help balance both work and school.
1. Time Management
Developing a schedule is key in effectively practicing proper time management. No professor wants to hear that you weren't able to finish your assignment because you had to work. Schedule sufficient time in order to complete assignments, and be able to study.
2. Keep Work and School Separate
Balancing work and school is stressful enough, so you shouldn't give yourself added stress by worrying about work during school and vice versa. Focusing on one thing at a time, makes things easier.
3. Get As Much Help As You Need
There is no shame in asking for help, especially when you need it. Your college offers different resources and entities to help you succeed so make use of it. There are tutoring and writing centers, advisers, and even your professors are there FOR YOU. Some professors are more than willing to assist with extra help if you need it, that's what their office hours are there for, USE IT.
4. Make Time for Family and Friends
This will prove to be difficult because you simply have a lot going on. You have work responsibilities and school responsibilities that you have to prioritize, but neglecting your family and friends is a simply not something you want to do. Yes, you will have to make several social sacrifices, and say no to certain events, but it's important to schedule time with your family and friends. It's like they say, "All work and No play makes Jack a dull boy."
5. Sleep
Maintaining a healthy sleep schedule is a key factor in successfully balancing school and work. Sacrificing sleep means sacrificing your body's health, and you don't want to place yourself in a position of having your body shut down due to lack of sleep. Although you may feel the need to sacrifice sleep in order to study or finish an assignment, a regular sleep schedule actually helps to increase productivity.
6. Enjoy The Moment
This is an important one. You have to remember to enjoy the moment. As terrifying as it may seem, or as stressful as it may get, you made this decision for a reason, and you want to enjoy the journey. At the end of all of this, you want to look back and say I did it or I made it, despite all the obstacles, and that I enjoyed every moment of it.
