Combining Work With Adult Education: 6 Ways to Build a Career Without Pressing Pause On Life by 30Seconds Mom

Achieving the perfect balance between study and work is hard, but not impossible. Although it can be very difficult to take on both responsibilities synchronously, for many, it is a reality that must be managed.

If you are just starting your further education journey, full-time study while part-time working is a path many take. If you are already in the workforce and looking for a change, the pressure to continue down that same path and not lose any career progression you’ve worked so hard for can be overwhelming. Taking on part-time study can be a good first step, and courses can cover everything from management courses to part-time FNP programs.

If you are considering any combination of simultaneous work and study, this guide can provide tips and tricks to help you make it work, more easily juggle the demands and build a career without pressing pause on life.

1. Nail Your Time Management

Time management is the first, and perhaps most vital, skill you can develop to help manage study and work. Establishing a work schedule and study schedule that will complement your lifestyle can help you to maintain a healthy personal and social life, as well as your sanity.

Your work schedule is likely more rigid, so your study schedule may need to have some flexibility. This is perfectly fine, as long as you can keep it consistent. Allocate specific hours for studying, ensuring you allow yourself some break time, and allocate time specifically for relaxing too, to help prevent potential burnout. Using a calendar – digital or otherwise – can help to manage this.

2. Work Smarter (and Compartmentalize)

Compartmentalizing means to divide something, such as thoughts or tasks, into isolated sessions or units, and can be a strategic way to help manage your study requirements. For example, instead of arriving on campus on time for your class, head in an hour or two early and stay a little later to complete all coursework required while already in a “study headspace.”

Being more aware of how you utilize time where you can multitask is another way to work smarter. For instance, if you commute to work via public transit, you can use this time to go through your notes or type out a few paragraphs of an essay, rather than scroll mindlessly on social media. If you walk or run, listening to a lecture or having a text-to-voice app read you parts of your textbook rather than your music can also help utilize your time more effectively.

3. Establish a Study Space

Creating a dedicated study space can help encourage focus, productivity and academic success. If possible, creating somewhere separate to where you work can help further compartmentalize your tasks. To create an environment that is conducive to your learning, consider:

• Removing all distractions, including phones, tablets and TV.

• Locating your study space somewhere quiet and away from the hustle and bustle of daily life in your home.

• Ensuring your space has good natural light.

• Using proper storage to clear away clutter.

• Choosing a proper, comfortable chair.
  

4. Consider Flexible Work and School Arrangements 

Being clear about what you are able to commit to workwise is important to set yourself up for success. Both you and your workplace must be aligned on the hours and days you are able to work to ensure the right expectations are set on both sides, and so there are no issues down the line for either party. Some flexibility will likely be needed, so it is important to outline this from the beginning.

Online study has made the learning side of things much easier when flexibility is required. Most online courses allow you to study when and where you want, offer greater accessibility to more diverse courses and resources, and can often be more cost-effective with less travel and lower fees. This ability to fit your studies around your work, family and other personal commitments makes online study a great option for those looking to balance working and studying.

5. Practice Early Identification of Stress

It’s unfortunate, but you will inevitably experience some level of stress while attempting to balance work and study. If your job performance or academic results begin to diminish, or your mental health starts to decline, it’s important to practice early intervention to reduce the impact.

You can help reduce the likelihood of experiencing stress by scheduling relaxation or break times to help avoid feeling guilty when taking unplanned moments. You should also ensure you are eating well, staying hydrated and getting enough sleep. While one late night will not significantly impact your well-being, regular late nights and early starts that impact the amount of quality sleep you have can have a serious impact on your schooling, work and physical and mental health.

If you are really struggling or your situation has changed, it can be worthwhile taking a semester off from study to give yourself a break and reset.

6. Remember the Endgame

If you start to feel unmotivated or overwhelmed, take a second to remember why you are doing this. Focusing on your end goal, whether that be to start a career in an area you love, to earn a particular salary, or for a simple change in pace, may help realign your focus. Taking a moment to celebrate your milestones, large or small, may also help make the journey easier.

It’s easy to become caught up in the chaos that arises from both working and studying. While it can be time-consuming, you should not be working all hours without giving yourself some leisure time. Pair this with good time management, smarter ways of working, and some flexible arrangements, and rather than enduring the work-study life, you may just enjoy it.

Note: The content on 30Seconds.com is for informational and entertainment purposes only, and should not be considered medical advice. The information on this site should not be used to diagnose or treat a health problem or disease, and is not a substitute for professional care. Always consult your personal healthcare provider. The opinions or views expressed on 30Seconds.com do not necessarily represent those of 30Seconds or any of its employees, corporate partners or affiliates.

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