As a full time student also working an almost full time job, I wish there was a secret way to perfectly balance the two. Absolutely no one prepared me for how difficult navigating work and school would be, I wish the bliss of that ignorance could have lasted forever.
I understand that when I’m older I will be so very grateful I endured this struggle but honestly, at the moment, it totally, utterly and completely sucks. While I definitely have not perfected the almost impossible balance, there are a few things that have made working during school just a bit easier.
- REMIND YOURSELF YOU HAVE TIME TO GET EVERYTHING DONE
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Obviously, with working full time and attending regular classes, you do not have all the time in the world. Your schedule is tight and at times it seems impossible to meet all the deadlines in your very busy life. But any time I have five assignments due in one night and it feels like I’m going to implode out of stress, I remember the night before when I miraculously had time to watch my favorite movie or scroll on TikTok for two hours.
You do not have to punish yourself by using the little free time you have to get work done but the best thing I have found that helps is doing my school work while simultaneously doing things that relax me. If the only thing I want to do when I get off of work is lay in bed and watch TV, then I can work on assignments while doing so. Not only does this make you realize you do actually have time to do it all but it makes homework less dreadful.
- FIND FRIENDS IN A SIMILAR SITUATION
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Like most situations, not knowing people going through the same thing can feel isolating. Getting close with my coworkers in the same situation or connecting with my friends who are also working through school has helped tremendously.
Being able to vent to people who truly understand how hard it is and know firsthand what it’s like is almost therapeutic. Take advantage of the refuge you can find in the support of others who are sharing the same experience.
- GIVE YOURSELF A BREAK WHEN YOU CAN
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It is very easy to burn yourself out when you are constantly doing a million different things. So even if you have 20 minutes of free time, prioritize yourself and your sanity as much as you can. Take a breather, have a dance party or go get a coffee. Making time for yourself is just as important as making time for your job and school.
- MAKE A ROUTINE
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Exhaustion does not begin to cover how it feels to coast through college while working what seems like every day. Making small habits to implement in your daily life can make a world of difference.
Whether it is setting aside 30 minutes a day for homework, making the effort to sit in the library for an hour or even something as small as making your bed. When you have a routine, it makes you feel as though you are in control of your life, not the contrary where your life controls you, which is sometimes how it can feel.
- BE PROUD OF YOURSELF
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The factors of simply being a college student alone are draining but when you add a job and other adult responsibilities to that it seems like life is impossible. So if you are in this same situation, you should be so incredibly proud of yourself. It is not easy to stay focused and determined, but you are here. You are doing great and one day this journey will prove itself worthwhile.