Having a full-time job and trying to go to school is a life that quite a few people are trying to live. Some of them even have two jobs and are trying to get further in their education. But doing all these things and trying to stay calm can be a struggle. Finding that perfect work-study-life routine can take a while, but rest assured, it can be done. That’s why it’s best to stay organized and follow these tips in keeping your cool when things seem like they are getting out of hand.
Make some lists.
They really do help. Keep a list of things that need to get done. If you are feeling extra energetic, organize these to-dos by the date and time they are expected to be finished. Most professors have a schedule of assignments when they first open the course, so use this as a guideline as to when assignments are due. Remember to add the reading assignments to this list if they are not already on it. The book readings are assigned for a reason and are more helpful than one might think. Add study time to this list as well. Set aside time specifically for schoolwork, that way it’s not forgotten.
From this list, add any work that needs to be finished outside of schoolwork, like chores and getting the kids from sports practice. Some people even find using a day calendar to be helpful. Writing down what needs to be done on what day and by what time is beneficial to keeping everything organized. Plus, there’s less of a chance of accidentally not completing an assignment. An Excel worksheet can also be beneficial to keeping lists and times straight if a calendar isn’t the best option.
Keep track of the time.
There are only twenty-four hours in a day so use it wisely. Because of this, take advantage of any vacation time. This is extra time to complete assignments that are coming up and assignments that are further away. Getting ahead on the assignments will help you in the long run. Just an extra five minutes of spare time can help you better learn the material that is being studied.
Remember to take personal time as well. In order to keep your sanity in check, taking some time to oneself is just as important, if not more so, than keeping track of everything. Even if it’s just yoga for twenty minutes or reading a chapter in an unassigned book, it is important to do something for yourself, even if it’s just once or twice a week.
Streamline your studying.
Buy the audiobooks for your textbooks if your bank account can handle it. This will allow you to listen to the assigned readings on the commute to work, your trip to the grocery store, or with headphones during your daily workout routine. Listening to the reading is easier for some to understand, so give it a try.
Take a nap.
Or at least try to get seven to eight hours of sleep at night. The longer your brain goes without sleep, the slower your reaction times for doing anything will be. Pulling an all-nighter might seem like a great idea to get school work done, but it’s unsafe and unhealthy. Your body needs sleep to work properly so don’t be afraid to crawl in bed after working for 12 hours.
Most importantly, remember the endgame. Things are going to get crazy. Trying to have a life, go to school, and work full-time is going to be hectic, but it is also do-able. The feeling of a tug-of-war between life, school, and work is temporary. Remember why getting that degree is important in the first place, and don’t give up.
