How To Survive Studying While Working Full Time
Many people will come to a point in their working life when they will want to study again – either to upskill in their current area of work, or to try something new, with the hope of a career change. This study could be a long-term commitment, such as a Certificate, Diploma or Bachelor, or a shorter course. I’ve previously studied a Cert. IV while working full time, and more recently a five-week online course through the Australian Writers Centre. Over time I’ve developed habits to help me ‘survive’ studying while working a 9-5 job.
So if you’re considering dipping into studying, or have already taken the plunge, read on to see how I’ve managed the balance.
1. Break Up Tasks Into Smaller Chunks
It can be overwhelming at the start. If you’re studying while working, chances are it will be online, and it’s up to you to manage your time. There may be notes to read, videos to watch, a small assignment to write – and all by Sunday night! My tip here is to break tasks up into manageable chunks. If there’s two hours of reading to be done, read in half-hour blocks. If there’s a small assignment to do, spend one chunk of time on researching or brainstorming, and another on the actual writing itself. Your brain will absorb information more effectively this way, and the work won’t seem so daunting.
2. Don’t Leave Everything Until The Weekend
It can be tempting to come home on a weeknight, think of having to open your laptop or iPad, and just say ‘oh I’ll do it on the weekend’. While you might have a quiet weekend now and then, you don’t want to get in the habit of depending on having hours of time over the weekend with which to do your work. You’ll run out of time, want to do other things or simply get distracted. Chip away at the work during the week so the amount left for the weekend isn’t so large.
3. Utilise Pockets Of Time
It’s very easy to get into the mindset of ‘I just don’t have time’. But even just fifteen minutes of study on a weekday is fifteen minutes less on the weekend. Look for those small pockets of time where you can get things done: maybe it’s on lunch breaks, while in waiting rooms at appointments, or while dinner is roasting away in the oven. One thing I sometimes did was leave for work a little earlier so I missed traffic, then used that extra time before my work day started to get some reading in. If you’re on the lookout for it, you may realise you have more time than you think.
4. Organise Yourself, With A System That Works For You
Don’t rely on your brain to remember everything you have to do for your course – there’s probably enough going on in there already! Find a system that works for you, whether that’s using your phone calendar to fill in deadlines, post-it notes around your desk area at home, an app like Evernote, an excel sheet or simply a to-do list. I’m old-fashioned in that I prefer a physical notebook where I can write my list for the start of every week and cross off as I go. Do whatever works for you, and if you’re not sure yourself, just try something and see how it goes.
5. Don’t Skip Sleep
Ok, I’ll first admit that sometimes this is necessary. You may have had a busier week than usual, there’s a larger assignment that needs doing, and you just need that extra couple of hours to get it done. But don’t make this a habit. When you’re sleep-deprived, you’re definitely not producing your best work. Not to mention you’ll soon start resenting your study. If you do have to take a shorter night’s sleep, try and make sure the next night you go back to your normal hours.
6. Be Prepared To Make Sacrifices
Nothing too sinister mind you – but just be prepared to have less time for things like socialising, for example. Maybe that movie will have to wait for next week, or maybe you won’t make it to that after-work drinks this time. And don’t be afraid to say no to things. It’s all a matter of prioritising. Don’t worry about offending people either, they should understand. Plus, if there’s a function on that you weren’t that keen on attending in the first place, you now have the perfect excuse! Oh I have an assignment due the next day, I can’t make it, sorry…
7. Stay Focused
It’s important not to let yourself be distracted while you’re studying (I’m sure anyone with kids reading this is saying ‘yeah right!’), but please do try and find that quiet time. Put the phone away, log out of Facebook, maybe have some background music in your ears and focus. Remember you may only have time for 15-30 minutes of work, so make the most of it. If you’re at home and other people are around, tell them you’re going to be studying for the next however long, so they won’t interrupt.
8. Listen To Your Mind And Body
It can be easy to get burnt out. While you may need the shorter sleep or to skip a friend’s catch up now and then to get things done, you don’t want to be all work no play. It really is about finding a balance, and listening to your body and mind will tell you when that balance is being lost.
9. …Enjoy Yo’self!
If you’ve chosen to study while working, it’s probably something you’re passionate about. Appreciate this opportunity to learn and develop, as not everyone gets the chance once they have finished school. Make the most of it and reward yourself along the way! Cake anyone?
