How to Juggle Work and College or Graduate School

With tuitions rising sharply, more and more college and graduate students are being forced to work on the side to support themselves. How can you find time for both work and school?

Difficulty: Challenging

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Academic Counselings
• Stress Management Counseling
• Stress Relief Products
• Palm Handheld Organizers
• Printers
• Personal Organizers
• Computers
• Laptop Computer

1. Plan your class and work schedules as far ahead of time as possible, in order to avoid time conflicts.

2. Arrange your classes so that you don't have to go to campus more than once a day.

3. Use time efficiently. Use those 10 minutes spent waiting on the phone to read a few more pages. If your job has a lot of downtime, use the opportunity to do schoolwork.

4. Be flexible and willing to make sacrifices; you'll probably have to cut down on both work and school to make this work.

5. Inform all your professors, teaching assistants and employers about your situation, so that they can be flexible as well. Keeping them in the loop is the best way to keep them on your side.

6. Contact the student services office at your school. The professionals there will have advice that fits your particular circumstances.

Tips & Warnings

• If you commute to your job on public transit, do schoolwork as you go.
• Get a computer, if you don't have one yet. It's a real time-saver.
• Schedule time for your own relaxation. If you don't structure it into your schedule, it'll be the first thing to go and your sanity won't be far behind!

[oclark]

on 1/21/2007 Don't Burn Out -- Stick to schedules and goals, but make sure to leave room for some "me" time. It is essential that you take a few minutes each day to relax and partake in something you enjoy (ex. a bath, soothing music, nature walk, etc.). This is crucial to maintaining your sanity, without which you will burn out quickly!

on 11/22/2005 If you have an office job, go to work an hour early to study (if possible). Not only will you get more done and have fewer distractions than at home, but you will also beat rush hour traffic.

on 11/22/2005 There is no such thing as "free time." Every minute where you are free or simply enjoying yourself is time well spent. If you do set aside time for yourself, follow your schedule. If you don't, you'll find yourself with very little time to do the things you need to do.

on 11/22/2005 Work on campus. At most schools, work will follow the same schedule as the academic year. It can get real hard to explain to your boss that you want off for a month for Christmas.

on 11/22/2005 Getting a job through your university is usually both flexible and profitable. Most have exam policies so you can choose not to work before exams, and they try to give you the highest wage possible - lots of times in the neighborhood of $7 and up.