Balancing a job and college can be quite difficult. Whether you have a full-time job and are taking class on the side or you're a full-time student trying to make some extra cash every week, finding the right balance is tough. The good news is that the rules to succeed are similar for both cases. At the end of the day, the goal is to not overwhelm yourself and create a balance between school and work.
Make a plan
The best way to find this balance is to make a plan and map out what you will do with your time. You'll probably have a set work schedule and know when your classes out, but you'll need some extra time to spend studying or working on any projects. Also keep note of when you'll have exams, so that you know when to put some more time towards studying and take some time off of work. Some weeks you may find yourself overwhelmed, and that's ok. Remember to take note of when that happens, so that you can remember to plan for similar situations in the future.
Break down big tasks
When trying to balance college and work, a ton of tasks can build up and get overwhelming really quick. Sometimes you will wonder how you'll even manage to keep your head above water as you try to balance all the large tasks building up. One way to make your big tasks into smaller, less intimidating tasks. If you have a big paper due for school, break it down into smaller, more manageable sections, like the introduction, conclusion, and doing the research for it. This can help you do more manageable tasks and be more rewarding as you make small accomplishments towards a larger goal.
Don't be scared to ask for help
By both working and going to college, you're taking on a lot. And sometimes you can get pretty overwhelmed, so don't be afraid to ask those around you for help. Whether you need a coworker to help with some work or need extra assistance from a classmate, you have people willing to help you out. Some periods will be busier than others and in those times you shouldn't be scared to ask those around you for some help.
Make some time for yourself
One thing that's pretty easy to do is to overcommit yourself to both school, work, and anything else that's going on in life. And while that's ok, also remember to take some time for yourself. If you need to exercise or paint to get through the week, make some time for that. Overwhelming yourself with work can lead to more stress, anxiety, and even lower your performance. So don't be scared to be selfish every once in a while and treat yourself.
To do this, you'll have to learn to say "no". It can be hard to give up on an opportunity or say "no" because you're scared to let someone down, but you have to learn to do so. Saying "no" to some things is important and healthy. No one knows better than you when you're about to be overwhelmed, and it's ok to tell people that. Most people should understand and all of us have been there in the past.
Remember to focus on your mental health when balancing college and work. It's one of the most important things you can do to get through this. Poor mental health can lead to further problems down the road. Defynance knows how important mental health is, that's why we included mental health resources in our resource marketplace. Accessing it is as easy as creating an account!
