Whether you’re a freshman stepping on to campus or a senior getting ready to walk the stage at graduation, balancing work-study and academics is definitely a tough act. As these are the two biggest time commitments for any college students, it can seem almost impossible at times to match working a job and studying for a test. It doesn’t have to be this way. Here are a few times to help relieve the stress!
1. Stay organized and think ahead with your money
The key to having effective organization skills is to use every resource you can to keep track of your day-to-day. In terms of time management, calendars and planners are always great ways to stay on top of both your work-study and school work. Tons of online calendars and apps can help too, and can even send push notifications with reminders and more.
For financial organization, try out different online banks that offer different benefits that can help you pay off your tuition while you work-study, or if you’re a senior, can help pay off your loans once you graduate.
There are so many different options out there to use, so don’t be afraid to experiment with something until you find one that fits your workflow and lifestyle. Everyone is undoubtedly different, but a little organization can go quite a long way!
2. Find a job you like
Although this can sometimes be out of your control, if you are able to choose a job that you’ll actually like and enjoy spending time at, it can be a nice stress reliever from your school work. In fact, in some cases, it can serve as something to look forward to in your day or week to give you that little break you may need in between class and homework.
Try finding something that interests you, that will help you in your career path, or something that will get you out and socializing with others. Whether it’s working at the library, swiping cards at the campus gym, or becoming an assistant or intern in your related major, these can all be great ways to get a work-study job you’ll actually desire.
3. Separate work time and school time
One of the most important parts of balancing your commitments might actually be separating your time allocated to each. If you know the time you have to work every week is the same, it will be relatively easy to plan time for your academics. If this changes every week however, it can get trickier and might need a little more coordination on your end.
Being sure to separate these will be important though, especially so you can be mentally focused on each task. While at work, try to enjoy your shift. Socialize with others, work hard and try not to think about your other obligations. Reversely, while studying or doing homework, focus solely on that and completing it to your best abilities.
By focusing on one task at a time, it can not only prevent becoming overwhelmed but also increase productivity. Remember these tips from GradGuard when the stress begins to creep in. You’ve got this!
