Tmerno
Work and studies can be a challenge, but those who are in this situation and enjoy both things know how worthwhile it is to make the effort to keep a job while also doing a postgraduate degree, for example.
In this journey, you need to perform well in both worlds, balancing your interests. This is possible, but it requires focus and dedication.
With small tips and some changes in your daily routine, your day can flow more simply and yield results in both activities.
Below are some tips for working and studying at the same time.
1. Create a routine
The beginning of this double shift may seem complicated, but it is important to spend the first few weeks establishing a well-defined routine of activities, preferably with fixed times, a long-term calendar and a schedule of tasks that must be followed in a disciplined manner.
Set a specific time to start and finish studying. Also define which subjects you will be studying for the day or which tasks will require your attention at that time.
At the same time, set aside some free time to cool off or a day off from classes to dedicate to leisure.
Setting goals is also a good strategy, as it makes you work even harder to achieve your objectives — and gives you the good feeling of seeing a list of achievements at the end of a stage.
2. Take a break
Are you finishing work and going straight to class, or vice versa? This rush of working and studying can be detrimental to your performance, as well as leaving you tired at the end of the day. But don’t worry, there are ways to get around this!
Try to take a break between studying and working to keep up the pace and stay focused. A brief distraction is enough to “turn the switch”, disconnect from what you were doing before and relax a little before spending hours focused again.
These activities that you can take between work and school can include eating a meal, exercising, chatting with colleagues, watching TV, or doing other things that make you feel better and more relaxed. Even just resting or taking a quick nap is fine.
3. Notify your boss and teachers
Were you working and about to start studying at the same time? Or did you get a job in the middle of the semester? In both cases, it is important to let the person in charge — whether it is your boss or the professor in charge of academic guidance — know about your double shift.
This makes both sides understanding in the case of small delays, for example, as well as allowing for flexibility.
For many companies, it is a privilege to have an employee who is dedicated to studying on their staff, and this can even be encouraged.
On the other hand, educational institutions understand your decision not to dedicate yourself exclusively to books, and you may have the option of committing to activities that only happen in your free time.
4. Absorb the best of working and studying
The sectors of your studies and business may be very different from each other, but it is possible to use the main qualities acquired from one of these universes in the other — and stand out doubly for it.
In the workplace, use the vocabulary learned in your reading to communicate with colleagues and clients, apply analysis methods, have a critical sense for everything and, having acquired the habit of reading, devour works and documents related to your job.
When it comes to class, apply the sense of organization that you acquired in the office during your workday to your studies. In addition, stay focused on explanations or academic productions, just as you do during important meetings.
5. Plan for the long term
Not all graduate school semesters are created equal — and you can benefit greatly from planning ahead to avoid any unwanted surprises.
Check out the classes and tasks for the following months: you may have fewer classes or you may need to dedicate yourself to final projects that will require more of your time.
This way, you already know in advance whether you will dedicate yourself even more to your studies, have flexible working hours or have more free time to enjoy during the day.
6. Don’t give up!
This tip may seem basic for those who want to work and study at the same time, but it is important to avoid any form of discouragement.
Are you tired? Get some rest. Are your deadlines tight? Get organized or negotiate with those responsible. The important thing here is not to give up and keep your head up.
It is possible to combine work and studies, and you are doubly rewarded when you manage to combine the two.
After all, positioning yourself in the job market is already a victory, and doing so while increasing your own knowledge, contributing to scientific production and becoming even more qualified is something that should make you proud.
