Working as you study isn’t every student’s cup of tea. However, those who have been able to do it understand its importance but also appreciate its challenges. If you are working from home, you are probably enrolled in an online university. Even so, this shouldn’t scare you.
You can still stay productive both at work and at school if you want. The following tips should give you an idea of how to go about it.
1. You have a better chance if you pick a flexible course
You have probably heard the old saying about serving two masters. That saying still holds true. It’s not an easy feat to do two great things at once, unless…Unless you can work out how to schedule your day. With both your boss and your lecturer demanding equal attention, you need to find a way to satisfy both.
The only way to do this is to pick a flexible course that allows you to plan your day easily. You can do this by finding a university with flexible degrees. Because your boss will require most of your day, you can plan to have a lecture after you log out of work. Make sure you have a proper schedule for when to start studying after work.
2. Become an expert in time management
It all boils down to this. This is why many students would rather commit to one thing – in most cases it’s full-time studying. If you can manage your time wisely, you have a crack at succeeding both as a student and as an employee. Make sure the transition from work to study happens as quickly as possible. You will probably not have time for a drink with colleagues, and that’s fine. You will have plenty of time once you get your degree.
Don’t make the mistake of assuming that online studying is different from full-time studying. This will only mess with your studies and probably affect your work as well. You should be prepared to spare at least 40 hours a week to study. That means you probably don’t have much time to fit both studies and work in a week. Make sure you plan your time early.
Keep most of your classwork and assignments for the weekends. However, make sure you keep all the deadlines met at all times. Don’t accumulate assignments and research papers unless you want to stress yourself.
3. Have a study plan
Having a study plan is just as important as managing your time properly. A study planner gives you a way to stay on top of your studies and finish your degree successfully. Have an overview of your monthly, weekly, and daily studying activities.
Track how far you’re into your study, and remember to stick to your study goals. For assignments and research papers, don’t slack. Use a plagiarism checker for students to make sure you don’t send in plagiarized work. This is often a problem for students who have to juggle work and study.
If you plan your study well, you won’t be in a hurry to submit plagiarized work. Make sure your work and study planners don’t get in the way of each other and make time for breaks.
4. Don’t forget to take breaks
There are more than 70+ hours of study or work, how are you supposed to remain sane after all that. Well, breaks! You have to take breaks if you want to succeed as a working student. Resting has to feature somewhere in your schedule.
If you don’t rest, you run the risk of losing on both ends! Catastrophic, to say the least! But when do I rest? Whenever possible. Look, you will not always be in the mood to do both. That is understandable, even full-time students feel this way sometimes. It’s okay to take a break and re-energize yourself. You can break from your daily routine to rest and refocus.
5. Let your boss know about your studies
Yes, your boss will understand your situation. If your degree is connected with your job, your boss will see that as a win-win situation. To most employers, when their employee seeks to boost their skills and knowledge base, it’s often a plus for the organization.
Letting them know gives you time to plan your schedule. Once they know you are studying, they can take it easy by not giving you extra assignments or overtime. Your colleagues can also cover for you if you have a test.
Conclusion
Deciding to study as you work will change your life and most definitely change your definition of time. You will have to find a way to make time your partner if you have to succeed as a student working from home. However, time is manageable. You will find a way to handle both your studies and your work.
Author Bio
Mary Spears is a freelance writer with many years of experience. She has contributed to many famous blogs. She loves to help students with essays and dissertation writing. She loves to hand in original work always.