University is stressful enough as it is, but when you also have a job it can start to feel like you cannot manage everything. After a really stressful semester, I gathered some tips that I found really helpful when trying to balance school and work.
Create a Schedule: Time management is key in university, and when you’re trying to balance school and work it is even more important. I suggest making a schedule and making as much effort as possible to stick to it. Be reasonable: make sure what you write down is possible to achieve in order to avoid feeling stressed out and panicked. You can create a to-do list, use a planner or print out calendar sheets to write down everything you need to get done.
Prioritize! Decide what is important to you and focus on that. If school matters more to you, try not to work more than one day per week so that you can have plenty of time to study for your courses. For some people, having a job is really important and might even be necessary. In that case, I would suggest taking a smaller course load so you can work more hours and have less to worry about. Don’t worry about staying one or two extra semesters, it will be worth it in the end.
Don’t Procrastinate: Yes, most of us do it. But this is a bad habit that we all need to break. Trust me, there is no better feeling than finishing up that essay that’s due tomorrow before going to work. That way, you can go to work without worrying about the essay you have to write when you get home. Even when you have exams, try to spend some time studying before or after work. Even if it’s just half an hour, you will feel so much better knowing that you studied a little bit and are not just spending all your time working. Talk To Your Boss: This might not be something that is possible for everyone. I know every place and every boss is different and in some cases, it might not be possible to talk to them about school. But if you think that it might be possible, try to ask for a few days off during the busiest times of the semester so you can have more time to study for finals and midterms.
Relax: Don’t forget to relax! As busy as your life might seem, it is super important to take some time to calm down and focus on yourself. Stress has so many negative impacts on your overall health and it’s important to try your best to avoid it. There are so many things you can do to de-stress: try a yoga class or find an online video that you can follow, cuddle up in bed with a good book, bake and decorate some cupcakes, watch a funny movie, go shopping with friends, have an at-home spa day, paint your nails, listen to your favourite music, go out on a fun date, etc. What matters is that you take a little bit of time every week to just unwind and forget about everything else!
Balancing work and school might be very demanding, but as long as you stay motivated and take care of yourself it is possible to achieve it and feel proud of yourself!
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