Are you finding it difficult to juggle working with university life? You’re not alone. Many university students struggle to get the balance right. Our time management tips for students will show you how to balance work and study so you can get on with enjoying your time at university.
University life is full of new experiences, people, and opportunities. But it also has its fair share of new challenges. One such challenge is finding the time to stay on top of your studies while you also hold down a student job. The key is knowing how to manage time effectively.
This blog will share some expert advice on how to successfully balance your studies with your student job.
Top Time Management Tips for Students
Be prepared to have more time in your day with this list of time management tips for working students.
Create a calendar
OK, it may seem obvious but we can’t stress enough how important it is to create a calendar. This calendar should include your working hours, university class times, deadlines, exams, and any social events you have coming up.
It can be a physical calendar that you keep above your desk or a digital one on your phone. Whichever one you go with, just be sure to check it before you go to bed so you know what’s coming up the next day. There are lots of options for digital calendars, including:
Create a schedule
Now that you have your calendar up and running, the next step is to create a schedule. Balancing work and study is no easy feat, so a schedule will ensure that you’re not wasting any of your valuable time. It will also allow you to have guilt-free time off, without feeling like you should be doing something else.
Basically, this schedule will contain everything you do in your life while you’re working and studying. It can take some getting used to, but once you’ve accounted for consistent commitments like work and study, adding new events and deadlines becomes second nature. Trust us, it will be worth it when it’s done.
Pro tip: The first draft of your schedule should be just that, a draft. You’ll need to continually revise it over time until you find a version that works best for you. Digital calendars are extremely handy here as you can move things around as you see fit.
Set reminders
Good time management is all about setting yourself up for success in advance and giving yourself the tools to accomplish tasks with confidence. So, our next step is to set periodic reminders to stay on track. Knowing deadlines is important; however, staying on top of the micro tasks involved in meeting those deadlines is just as important.
Pro tip: Consider setting reminders two weeks, one week, and two days in advance of major deadlines. This will ensure that nothing slips through the cracks.
Take time out
With all this work and study, we can’t forget to take time for ourselves. It’s essential that we look after our physical and mental health so we don’t get burnt out. This is where the ‘balance’ comes in and it’s a skill that we must practice consistently throughout our lives.
The fundamentals of this balance involve eating well, sleeping well, and getting regular exercise. On top of these, setting aside time to relax and do things you enjoy should also be a priority. We recommend including this time in your schedule too.
Seek support and delegate when possible
Sometimes, no matter how much planning we do, there’s no avoiding a period with a heavy workload. If this does happen, try not to let yourself get overwhelmed. Seeking support and delegating tasks when possible is crucial for maintaining a healthy work-study balance.
- Seek support from professors: Your professors are there to guide you through your academic journey. If you find yourself struggling with coursework during busy periods, don’t hesitate to reach out to them. They can provide clarification, suggest additional resources, or even offer extensions if necessary. Moreover, building a good rapport with your professors can make it easier to communicate your challenges and seek their assistance.
- Talk to your supervisors: If you’re working alongside your studies, communicate openly with your supervisors. They may not be aware of the specific demands on your time unless you share your concerns. They may be able to provide some flexibility in your work hours or help you find alternative solutions to manage your workload effectively.
- Collaborate with colleagues: In group projects or team-based assignments, leverage the strengths of your colleagues. Effective delegation can help distribute tasks and lighten the workload for everyone involved. Identify tasks you can share or assign to others based on their expertise and availability. Remember to communicate your needs clearly and always be willing to reciprocate when others are in the same boat.
Be realistic and flexible
Life’s full of unforeseen circumstances. Even our best-laid plans don’t always pan out the way we wanted them to. Be patient with yourself when things don’t go exactly to plan. And when you’re building your calendar and schedule, be realistic about what you can accomplish and allow some buffer time between tasks.
Time management involves more than sticking to a fixed schedule; it’s also about being flexible and adapting to new situations.
Key Takeaways
As a student who works, you’ve already taken a significant step towards building a successful future. Embrace the challenges you’re faced with and stay motivated by focusing on your goals. And don’t forget to celebrate your accomplishments along the way, no matter how small. With determination, perseverance, and the time management tips for students outlined here, you have the power to thrive both academically and professionally.
Looking for a student job that will help you balance work and study? Check out our guides on part-time student jobs and online part-time student jobs. Our Student Jobs Board is packed with the latest opportunities near you.
Explore our weekly blog for the latest industry insights, guides, and tips to help you make the most of university life.
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