Daily Archives: October 6, 2008

Balancing Work and School: 3 Tips to Be Successful at Both

With the uncertainty of the nation’s economy looming over the heads of every American worker, many are planning to go back to school to expand their career opportunities.

According to a recent survey by Rutgers University, 61% of 1,000 Americans surveyed said they would like more education and training to be more efficient at their jobs.

But some might find it difficult to balance work life with school life. If you’re one of the many individuals wanting to hit the books while continuing your career, check out these tips to help you juggle both and come out on top.

Create a Schedule. Time management is essential to be successful in both your career and at school. Mark all your commitments down on a calendar and create a weekly routine that you will be able to stick to. For example, schedule time to study and schedule time to socialize. Having specific time slots each week for all your commitments will help you form healthy habits and stay on task.

Communicate with Others. Let others know the elements of your schedule. Include your family, friends, co-workers, and superiors. You want to make sure people are aware of your commitments so they can schedule around you if needed.

Be Organized. To help decrease the overwhelming feeling of having too much to do, create a weekly to-do list to help you prioritize and stay on top of your assignments. Along with the calendar you’ve made detailing your schedule and deadlines for work and class assignments, make a list of everything you want to accomplish for the week and make an effort to check something off every day.

It’s no easy task, but using these tips can help you successfully navigate through work and school and avoid becoming overwhelmed by having too much to do.