Managing the Balance of Work and Education

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The idea that a high school student’s primary priorities are finishing homework and thinking out what fun activities they’ll do on the weekend is entirely absurd. While that description may still apply to some students, the reality is that many students must work part-time or even full-time jobs to make ends meet.

Economic constraints can be a significant obstacle for students, especially returning mature students with a full-time job or a family to support. While a career and an education are significant responsibilities, they are manageable with a bit of attention and organization.

For example, enrolling in an online high school can be beneficial to some, as they often allow for less rigid submission times and class scheduling than in-person schooling.

Check out these pointers to help you strike the correct balance in your work and school life:

Place Organisation First

It can be simple to lose track of some of the moving parts from the various jobs you must juggle when you wear many different hats. You need to be organized in this situation because you need to know where everything is—place items properly.

Every night, you should recharge your phone and laptop. Maintain a healthy supply so you won’t have to interrupt what you’re doing to replenish it.

Planners are handy, especially for those who balance full-time employment with academic obligations. Most planners divide the day into hours, which makes scheduling time for schoolwork and studying simple. It could be a good idea to purchase a planner now if you haven’t done so.

Communication is Critical

Communication is crucial when it comes to juggling college and full-time work. Good communication skills appear at the top of every success advice list. Honest communication with your managers and professors can be beneficial.

Make sure that you, your teachers, and your management are all on the same page. They will always want to assist you if you feel overwhelmed by your responsibilities.

Effective communication will only benefit you in the long term. Your communication skills will reap the rewards not only with supervisors and lecturers but also with close family and friends. Their contacts with you will be impacted during this hectic period.

Celebrate Small Victories, Not Just Big ones

Students are often too hard on themselves. Going to school while working can be a massive and time-consuming undertaking.

Stop focusing on the larger successes, such as finishing an entire semester, and start stringing together tiny victories, such as scoring well on an exam, having a breakthrough moment while studying, or turning in homework on time despite having worked that day. When we set our expectations of achievement too high, we are more inclined to give up when things get tough.

Take Care of Yourself

Students often have a hard time prioritizing self-care when it comes down to crunch time, like balancing extra shifts at work or extra time preparing for exams. While making up extra time by skipping sleep and meal breaks may seem tempting at the moment, it is not effective long-term.

The opposite is true, and neglecting your health can have more negative effects on the body, such as irritability, getting sick easier, and lack of focus and memory retention.

In the midst of your day-to-day duties, something as basic as getting a decent night’s sleep can make all the difference. When you sleep, your body heals itself and prepares you for the next day. Sleep deprivation makes it difficult to focus and be productive.

It is also advised to set out an hour each day to de-stress by reading a book or watching one of your favorite Netflix episodes to help reduce stress and allow you to return to a project with a clear head.