Everyone knows that a uni degree can bring you a whole new world of opportunities. However, it can be a big challenge to take on a full study workload on top of a full-time job.
To combat this, I’ve started implementing a few simple strategies to make sure I am achieving a healthy work-study balance.
Set aside days for study
Both work and study are really important to me, so I’ve divided my week into three days for work, three days for study and Saturdays are my rest days.
For three afternoons a week I also dedicate myself to networking and job hunting. By doing this I’m ensuring that my career doesn’t stall while I’m at uni and that I am still making the most of every opportunity.
Plus, I will have a nice full resume by the time I graduate.
Have an inspiring study area
For those of us who are balancing grown-up life and uni, often our homes aren’t entirely our own, whether we’re still living with parents, navigating a share house or building a family of our own.
As comfy as it is to read textbook chapters in bed or on the couch, it isn’t the most productive place for you to study.
Our brains associate our bed with sleep (go figure), making you feel tired and relaxed when you need to be focused and alert.
To combat this, I’ve befriended my local libraries, memorised their opening hours and already found my favourite study table.
If you’re studying on campus, the Charles Sturt library is available 24/7 for you to get your study on.
Stick to time management
Having good time management is a piece of advice you’ve no doubt heard thousands of times, but for me this isn’t just related to leaving assignments to the last minute.
With more of the hours in my week already accounted for by work, commuting, meetings, functions and all the rest, I need all the other aspects of my life to be as streamlined as possible so that I have plenty of time to dedicate to studying.
This means meal prepping, having snacks ready in advance, planning outfits the night before and having set times for everything (including bed time).
It might seem a little strict, especially if you’re relishing the freedom and independence that uni brings but nothing helps your productivity more than having a system of organisation that works for you.
At this moment in my life, that means putting on my grown-up pants, and working as hard as I can to get the most out of my uni experience.
