Working with a College Income: How You Can Balance Your Work and College Life
College life can be difficult and it hasn’t been the easiest few years for students. Loans are still overinflated and paying them off can last years of your professional career. At the same time, there is no guarantee that you’ll be heading into a job that is meant for the course you graduate from. These kinds of pressure have made it necessary for many students to figure out way to work while studying. The extra cash can often mean being able to save money for the future and even if the job isn’t the best, it can also mean you have a level of security after school. Of course, it can be hard to juggle work life with college studying sessions but if you find the right balance, you just might make it out alive.
Fix your schedules constantly
Having a schedule is great and sticking to it is even more important in the process. However, planning out your days in advance will never account for any changes that may happen in your life. So instead of sticking with your iron clad idea of a solid day, make sure to be flexible instead. Set aside an hour or two for any emergencies or meet ups. If you work demands you to change your shift, make sure set your day so that it can change on the fly. The point here is to keep yourself ready for any changes your hectic life might throw at you.
Set up a Savings Account
If you work part time because you need to pay for your schooling, then the next tip might be best for you. However, if you’re working on a part time job so you can set a savings account, then it’s time to start setting aside cash. So, before you use your earnings to buy a new smartphone, put part of that money away and buy a used one instead. If you can set it up at your place of employment, ask your boss to set up an electronic invoice system. From there, you can set it so that a part of your income goes directly into a savings account. It may not seem like much during semester, but the point here is to work on making a stable account.
Set aside time for fun but not too much
All work and no play make anyone a dull boy or girl so always make sure to set aside a weekend or two for fun. You get to reconnect with friends and family, and most of all, you can offload some of the stress that’s been piling on to your life. However, there are some things you’ll need to sacrifice in order to make your work life even more balanced. First off all; take your phone, laptop, or tablet and cut out any social networking or dating apps you have. You’d be surprised how much time you end up wasting when you start looking at Facebook.
Have a good relationship with your teachers and your boss
There are two things that will inevitably get in your way when it comes down to learning and working that those are your superiors. Your boss may demand more of your time right when your instructors ask you to finish off all your work requirements. In these situations, it would help to have a functioning relationship with your teachers and bosses. Talk to them and ask for some consideration as that may save you from burning out. If one won’t buckle, then ask the other if you can have more time. The point here is that you should treat them with respect as they will help you along the way.
Ultimately, time is the most important commodity you have when working and studying at the same time. So make sure to manage it right and you’ll do perfectly fine.
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