It is an incredible bonus for the students who work when they are in college. Be it an internship or a part-time job, it helps them have a few skills to add to their resume or to meet their financial needs. While seeing a successful outcome, there is a certain amount of hard work and dedication put into it. Many can get stressed or feel overwhelmed in the race of trying to balance work and studies, especially when the exams are around the corner.
So, here are ten tips that could help a working student like you or a friend of yours who might be struggling to balance work and studies.
1. Create a to-do list
Sort out your tasks for the entire week on the night before a new week starts in your planner or notebook. Take time and think thoroughly about every single task that you have to do. Learn how to prioritize duties according to their level of importance. Keeping a buffer time with each of them will also help you save extra time for leisure. Always stick to the schedule.
2. Stop procrastinating
It's always better to say done than to put it on hold. Avoid negative self-talk when you feel the urge to procrastinate. When you feel like not working, you can incorporate other activities that indirectly support your work; like reading an interesting blog that can help you get an idea of what you are doing or going through tutorials. This way you can not waste your time too.
3. Follow a healthy timetable
There is nothing better than following a proper diet and getting sufficient sleep than skipping one's food or staying up late at night to finish pending work every single day. Always keep yourself hydrated and remember to take short breaks in the middle of all the juggling. Do not forget to save some "me time" every day despite all the work, where you can listen to your favourite music or go for a walk.
4. Avoid distractions
Stay away from anything that can distract you while you work. It could be your mobile phone or the loud music from the next room. You can always find a solution to keep yourself from getting distracted. One can work with music while the other cannot. So do what you think is best for you to improve or balance work and studies.
5. Taking care of yourself
As important as your assignments and deadlines are, so is your health. At one point, one can get tired and stressed out, so taking care of your physical and mental health is essential for you. To keep yourself calm and focused throughout the day, you can save 20-30 minutes of the day for exercise and meditation. It can help your mind and body relax.
6. Communication is important
Be it personal or professional, it is always important to share what you feel with your family, friends, teachers and manager. Let your teachers and manager know you are a working student and you have your set of tasks and assignments and need time to manage everything without exhausting yourself. Sharing needs and feelings with others can bring a lot of differences to your workflow.
7. Active social life
Despite all the work, never forget to spend time with your family, pets and friends. Isolating yourself when you are busy is not the ideal way for your brain to function. But learn to set boundaries and know where and what to prioritize. Sometimes you will have to sacrifice going to the movies with your friends to prepare for an upcoming important exam.
8. Rewarding yourself
Don't forget to treat yourself to a dinner or a movie date when you cross off your last important task on the list or after going through a hectic week. Never save the celebrations for later when you can celebrate it now because you worked hard for it. Remember to go easy on yourself.
9. Ask for help
If you feel things are going out of your hands no matter what, get help. You can always ask your friends, teachers or co-workers to help you out when you feel you cannot handle everything at once. It doesn't make you worthless; it is normal to have pressure when you have a lot going on your plate. But don't think twice about getting professional help if you think you really need it.
10. Take a break
It is necessary to take a stress-free break from all your work once in a while. A day off or a vacation can help you rejuvenate and prevent yourself from being burnt out. Spend your holiday by doing something you love or by visiting an old friend or writing a letter to your grandmother. Try not to think about work or studies until you get back fresh from your break.
You don't have to follow all the tips at once. You will see the difference and feel more organized when you apply them slow and calmly. In the middle of all the hard work and deadlines, always remember to have fun!
