For many students and professionals, the prospect of working while studying can be very intimidating, and understandably so.

Studies can demand one’s extreme focus, efforts, and time, and adding a job or an internship to the mix can look like a recipe for an eventual state of disarray.

Though they are right to feel concerned about the idea, balancing both work and studies is not as hard as it may seem.

Many students find it necessary to take upon a job while studying. While some need it for the relevant experience before officially entering the professional world, some need the money to cover their various expenses.

In some cases, professionals also choose to return to school in order to move forward with their careers. Regardless of the reason, having a part time job can bring many benefits to a student.

And while handling both the work and study schedule can be challenging, effective planning and organization can ensure a steady balance between the two. Listed below are a few tips for all those struggling to balance their part time job and academics.

6 Tips How to Balance A Part Time Job with Your Studies:

1. Plan.

Time management is of utmost importance when one has to divide it between different aspects of their life.

It is no different when juggling a part time job alongside studying. Planning is the key to managing your time most adroitly.

If you keep track of your schedule, assignment deadlines, and any possible clashes between your study and work routine, finding a work and study balance will be much easier.

Try journalizing and making to do lists to accomplish your tasks in time so that neither your job nor your academics are compromised.

If you plan your schedule effectively, working even while attaining a degree as demanding as a general Master of Business Administration degree may not feel so hard at all.

All you need is an organized schedule and the tenacity to follow it to help you balance studying and working.

2. Don’t procrastinate.

Procrastinating is the worst you can do when you already have many duties to perform. If you have made a plan, follow it and stick to the schedule at hand.

Leaving tasks until the last minute will not only affect your performance on them negatively but also add to your stress.

Try to manage your distractions so that you can focus on your scheduled assignments. Try sitting in a room without a TV and see if it helps, or set your phone on silent so you don’t have the urge to pick it up every time the notification sound rings.

While other activities can sound more compelling than the idea of finishing your projects, indulging in them will only set you back later.

3. Keep your employer updated.

Let your employer know about your schedule beforehand; they don’t need any last minute pull outs on your part.

Stepping back from work because of your study commitments without communicating with your employer about it in advance will only make you look like an unreliable employee. Therefore, always keep your employer updated regarding any clashes that could arise.

Many employers understand how hard it can be for students and professionals to work alongside their studies.

If you show your employer you are dedicated without making your studies the cause of poor performance at work, it may be easier to negotiate your schedule later when you need to prioritize your studies over your job.

4. Get proper sleep.

Sacrificing your sleep to fit in more work is never the answer. Losing sleep to do more only exhausts the body further and costs you your health.

Pushing your tired self through the routine will only affect your performance negatively. Therefore, ensure you wake up well rested so your body is better able to take on the challenges ahead of you.

5. Find ways to relieve your stress.

It is only natural to feel distressed and anxious under pressure, and handling a job alongside studies can be stressful at times.

Whenever you feel as if your mental health is suffering because of the added stress, step back for a moment and breathe.

A healthy mind makes you progress further, while a stressed one only makes you feel constricted. Maybe you should consider getting a life coach. Search our database and find a life coach that’s the right fit for you.

There are many ways through which you could relieve your stress, such as meditation, reading, or any other activity that may make your mind feel at ease.

Try to save some time for yourself every day, self care is necessary for those who overexert their minds.

It is advisable to spend at least an hour doing something you find pleasure in to reduce stress and anxiety.

Even when you are behind time, calm your mind through easy breathing exercises before working on your next task.

6. Eat healthy meals.

Your body needs to be healthy to efficiently take on all the responsibilities you are making it go through.

It is not easy to work and study, both bring along their duties and tasks for you to accomplish.

However, just because you have more on your figurative plate, it does not mean you should cut back on your actual meals.

Healthy foods such as eggs, fruits, vegetables, meat, etc., will provide your body with the necessary nutrients to keep you focused and healthy.

Reducing your food intake or eating unhealthy food such as those high in fats and cholesterol will only have a detrimental effect on your body.

Eating healthy will keep you energized for the many tasks you may have to do and keep your immune system strong.

So don’t use your job or your overflowing assignments as an excuse to skip a meal. You need to take care of your body, especially when you demand more from it.

What you should remember?

If you are working and studying simultaneously, following the tips mentioned above will make it easier for you to find a balance between both.

However, you need to understand that even though a part time job will add to your experience and support you financially, your studies are more important.

If you feel you cannot manage both, try searching for other ways to earn money.

Moreover, if the burden from your job begins to add to your stress enough for you to feel burnt out, it is better to quit it and honor your mental and physical well being.

Sometimes you need to step back if you fear you could tip off the cliff. Your health should always be your topmost priority.