Ten ways to balance work and school

-- John Helebrant

Have you ever gone to college while trying to hold down a full-time job? I have and often felt like ripping my hair out. At times, the stress became so unmanageable, that I thought I was losing my mind. I was always in a rotten mood, and blamed everyone else for my own shortcomings. Now, after re-evaluating my priorities, I’ve become much more grounded, and can help other students do the same.

The decision to head back to school is not always easy, and is often accompanied by anxiety, stress and fear. The following 10 ways to balance work and school should reduce these negative feelings and make your education a more enjoyable experience.

Work smart, not hard.
Learn to become efficient in your studies and you’ll be rewarded with more time to accomplish other tasks. Formulate a plan or draw an outline when given an assignment. Take effective notes and use bullet points rather than long sentences. Don’t be afraid to mark up your books with a highlighter to easily find information down the road.

Learn to use the resources available to you.
Metropolitan State University offers classes at which you can learn how to use library and school database resources. The Internet is also a great place to search for information that relates to your classes—or anything else for that matter. Talk to a staff member in the university library and ask about the article library database. There’s a wealth of knowledge at your fingertips to help you with your studies.

Don’t fall behind.
Since you’re attending classes weekly, not daily, you won’t be given small assignments—you’ll be given rather large assignments. Always squeeze in at least an hour or two a night, per subject, to stay ahead of the game. Don’t fall behind in your schoolwork or you may find it difficult to catch up.

Use time wisely.
If you have time to complete your homework, don’t use it to watch television. Complete your assignments while you can, and get them off your mind. You’ll be better off for it mentally and you’ll enjoy your free time that much more.

Maintain organization.
To be a successful student, you need to be organized. Without organization, there is chaos, and you may feel a bit overwhelmed if things around you are a mess. Keep your homework assignments and study materials separate by subject and readily available when you need them. Purchase an organizer and calendar and keep track of daily events.

Practice stress-reducing techniques.
You can minimize stress if you maintain a healthy lifestyle. Take 30 minutes each day to work out, meditate, or go for walks and you’ll soon notice an increase in energy levels and a reduction in stress. To enhance your focus, eat healthy foods that contain plenty of vitamins and minerals.

Network with peers and instructors.
Don’t be a stranger to those around you. Often times, you’ll want feedback from other students or teachers about an assignment you’re working on. There may be times when you miss a class due to illness or work, and you’ll need somebody to provide you with assignment information when you’re absent. Swap emails with a classmate or two to cover your bases.

Keep a schedule.
Write things down and keep a schedule of your activities. The more things you have on your plate, the more likely you are to forget some of them. Use a planner, a cell phone or personal digital assistant. If you have a laptop or home PC, use the calendar function which is present in most email or Office programs. By keeping a schedule, you’ll maintain a degree of organization that will ultimately reduce stress and give you a sense of control.

Talk to your employer.
Let your employer know that you’re attending school, and work out a flexible schedule if needed. Employers love to hear that their employees are trying to better themselves because it shows initiative and a willingness to succeed. Your employer may also reimburse you for some of your classes if they see you as an asset to the company.

Don’t bite off more than you can chew.
Two classes may not seem like a lot while working full time, but it is. Everyone has a different threshold of what they can handle, so it may be a good idea to talk to an instructor before signing up for a class. Start out slowly, and if you find that you can handle a heavier load, sign up for another class the following semester. It beats having to drop a class midstream and lose out on the money you paid for the credits.

We all know that it becomes increasingly more difficult to achieve success in school the longer we wait. By following these 10 simple suggestions, you’ll have more control over your education and quest for knowledge, without the worries attached to a busy lifestyle. Not only will you find these tips practical for your education, but you’ll find them helpful in other areas of your life as well.

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