When you’re juggling study and work, striking a balance is crucial. You need space to be present at uni and at your job; a chance to go on O-week adventures and get promotions. You need time to learn and time to earn.
Getting that balance right takes some work. Sometimes you’ll feel stretched in too many directions, like a weird octopus. But it’s totally doable, and we’re here to help with tried-and-tested tips for working and studying full-time.
1. Keep lines of communication open.
The best thing you can do when you’re studying while working is be open with everyone. That means clarity for your boss, your tutors, and your friends and family. If you’ve got a busy assignment period coming up, let work know. If work is stressing you out, your teachers can offer suggestions for managing your load.
It's about managing expectations. If people know where your head is at, they’re more likely to be able to support you.
2. Set clear goals.
When you’re balancing work and study, time management is critical. At the start of each term or semester, draw up a study schedule that maps out time for regular assignments as well as ongoing revision of your notes. This can make study less stressful, and you won’t have to cram before exams.
Set other goals, too. The more organised you are, the less likely you’ll be to stress about what you might have forgotten. That might be something as simple as putting $20 away every week or colour-coding your notes, or it could be a big one like saving for a holiday with your mates over uni break.
The important thing as that you’re clear about what you want to achieve. Don’t chase an imaginary end-point that doesn’t exist.
3. Give yourself some time out – and don’t feel guilty about it.
Between work and study, you probably feel kind of worn out, right? Remembering what you actually like doing is really important. It’s how you recharge your body and brain for the next round of becoming a qualified genius.
Set aside time to focus on something that brings you joy. You can even build it into your study schedule, so you know it’s serious.
Playing video games? Great. Trying new burger joints with your mates? Perfect. Collecting creepy dolls? Do it.
4. Set yourself up for success.
That means:
- Make your timetable as doable as possible. Don’t schedule heaps of 8am tutorials and then feel bad about it when you don’t go.
- Give work as much notice as you can of upcoming exams or assignments that might mean you’re not available. Don’t surprise them. That’s the bad kind of surprise.
- Start on assignments and other study tasks right away. Don’t wait for the night before. Yes, we all tell ourselves we “work better under pressure” but no one does their best work after three Mother cans at 4am.
- If it starts to get too hard, tell someone. Everyone wants you to succeed.
5. Know when to say no.
This takes some practice. You want to say yes to time-and-a-half, getting that project done and going to an escape room. But something’s got to give.
When we try to do everything, sometimes we don’t do any of it well. Instead of trying to cram an entire life into one day, find some balance. Grab a quick sanga with your friends. Make plans for next week. Pull back on spending so you can skip the Sunday shift.
6. Look at ways to work more flexibly.
With a part-time job, students can often fit work around study. Talk to your boss about changing your hours to fit around your schedule. There are probably other students at work, so they might have set a precedent already.
If you’ve got a set number of hours per week, try spreading the load out over more days. More of us are working from home, too – see if you can cut your travel time once a week and make your dog your co-worker.
7. Stick to a budget.
When your money’s under control, it’s easier to feel good about everything else. Make sure you’ve got the right accounts for your needs. A high-interest savings account can help you reach your goals sooner. A transaction account with no fees can save you money on everyday spending.
8. Make the most of your institution’s services.
If you’re feeling overwhelmed, you’re not alone. Most TAFEs and unis have student support services for exactly this reason – to help you make it through your studies in one piece.
Find out what’s available before you need it. You might have access to free counselling services, careers advice and medical appointments. Try some study support seminars or workshops to build important skills like time management, essay writing, and not being that one person who never carries their weight in the group assignment.
9. Be kind to yourself.
Combining work and study will keep you busy but you’ve still got to take care of the basics. Find time to exercise, eat well and get enough sleep.
If you really can’t see a way through, talk to your work or school about how you can make it up. That might mean attending a class virtually, or picking up an extra shift later.
Above all, keep your eyes on the prize. Studying is an investment in yourself. It’s setting you up for a more rewarding future. When the pressure builds, remind yourself that it will all be worth it when you’re kicking back in your dream job.
This article is prepared based on general information. It does not take into account individual financial objectives or needs and is not financial product advice.