A career combined with studying can be challenging, especially for women re-entering academia. One needs a perfect mix of clock-stopping, brilliant time management, and a good support network.
Here is a short, seven-point checklist to make your return to education smoother and more successful.
1. Define your goals clearly
It’s essential to be clear about precisely what you want to return to. Are you looking to change your career, to advance it, or simply to broaden your knowledge? The sooner you clarify your goals, the better you’ll be able to focus your effort and time.
It’s essential, too, that these goals are realistic. Setting yourself goals that are a stretch but that chime with your other commitments is necessary: if you continually reach too high, you will put undue pressure on yourself.
Additionally, the more precise and detailed your goals, the easier they will be to monitor. By finding ways to monitor your progress, you’re finding ways to track how you’re doing and how you can further your academic progress with your other roles.
2. Craft a smart schedule
Organising your schedule is less about how full your calendar is and more about how effectively you plan.
First, map out the hours in your week when you’re occupied by unchangeable aspects of your life: your work schedule, your classes, your after-school clubs, or any other obligations you committed to fulfilling.
Next, add homework due dates and study sessions, then block off ‘free’ time to hang out with friends or relax. The calendar apps Google Calendar or Trello can be relevant, life-changing tools that allow you to visualise your week or month at a glance.
Plans become reductions in stress: they will enable you to avoid last-minute scrambles to get everything done, as there is less rush if you aren’t facing an impending emergency.
Consistency with your schedule can make work and study less disruptive and more like a natural part of your routine.
3. Embrace technology and online resources
The digital age is packed with opportunities and tools to learn at your convenience – through Coursera or Khan Academy. From introductory certification courses to the chance to apply to specific areas such as business or technology, these platforms allow you to design your educational adventures around your work schedule, learning when you want, when you can.
There are apps such as Forest and Pomodoro timers to help you stay focused while studying, ones that prevent you from using your phone so that you can increase your study time.
Additionally, help from a professional essay writing service can be a game-changer when you combine work and study. Reliable writing platforms offer high-quality academic support in various disciplines wherever you need it.
This support can alleviate some educational pressures, allowing you to focus more on your work responsibilities and less on the stress of meeting tight deadlines or tackling complex subjects.
4. Communicate your needs
Staying the course demands clear communication with your employer and your education institution, especially if you’ll be juggling study alongside your career. Here are some options that may prove helpful:
- Flexible hours: Many employers allow you to choose when you work so you can integrate class times into your schedule.
- Remote work options: Some jobs offer remote work to give you the space to manage your study schedule better.
- Extended deadlines: Informing your instructors about work commitments can lead to extended assignment deadlines.
- Lecture recording requests: If you have a job that keeps you from class, request lecture recordings to catch up.
Being proactive and upfront about your commitments allows you to negotiate these accommodations, which helps make this juggling act easier.
5. Build a strong support network
No person should go alone to work and study. A network – whether this is family that helps with housework, colleagues that can give career guidance, or peers that can help with learning through study groups or online forums – will allow you to confront your academic challenges with new insights and best practices.
Moreover, finding a professional in your field to be a mentor will help you get advice on how to perform professionally while gaining an emotional boost in an otherwise challenging period.
In addition to the practical support, a network provides you with emotional support – which is just as important.
6. Prioritise your health
You need absolute stamina, especially when you have two jobs. Ensure that you exercise regularly. It will help to enhance your physical and mental health. Mindfulness and meditation are some of the most effective ways of dealing with stress. Don’t forget about the importance of restful sleep and healthy eating.
Remember, no luxury is involved in staying healthy – sustaining oneself in managing the work-study life is imperative.
7. Stay flexible and evaluate regularly
Flexibility is a crucial skill. What is good for you now might not work as well next month or next year.
Keep track of how things are going for you every so often, and be ready to tweak your strategies to help yourself stay on track. You may need to periodically adjust your goals, recalibrate your schedule, or shift to a different method of studying to match what feels right as you change.
Being flexible will help you keep your head above water as this balancing act of work and study frequently allows the waves to come crashing down.
Finding your equilibrium
Although combining work and study is challenging, knowing that others have successfully navigated the situation will empower you to think about and implement the strategies you can use.
This article was made possible thanks to contributions from various professionals and educators who are well-versed in the challenges faced by working students. With their insights, we’ve tailored advice that is practical and adaptable to your unique circumstances.
Master these, and you will realise that education and a career are not nearly as incompatible as you first thought. Both can lead to fulfillment and success if managed appropriately.