Few people can afford to attend school without working. Even though online universities allow for more flexibility in schedule, balancing a full- or part-time job with a challenging curriculum is a juggling act. Between school and work, sometimes you have to fight to schedule a meal or reduce your sleep in order to study - which can sometimes mean that you're drinking extra coffee to stay awake through a morning meeting. You don't even remember the last time you saw a movie.
Is the fatigue and lack of "me-time" worth it? Of course it is!
The key to balancing school and work is a combination of motivation and organization.
The following tips will keep you on the right track.
Be organized. You don't want to waste time looking for things that you should be able to easily find. Develop a system that allows you to manage your time, and your paperwork. Without proper organization, your work and school materials will become combined, which will make you an inefficient worker and student.
Communicate your education goals to your boss. If your boss isn't aware that you're in school, make sure you communicate with him/her. You might be able to get time off for assignments or special projects.
Ask for help from your family or friends. They're undoubtedly supportive of your decision to continue your education, and therefore won't mind lending a hand with whatever you need. You might even be able to coax them to fix you a few home-cooked meals.
Multitask, and take advantage of small pockets of time. The time you spend commuting to work, or the 45 minutes spent on the stationery bike can also be opportunities to study. Never go anywhere without study material. You never know when you might have time to read.
Build in time for fun.
If you've developed good organization and time management skills, you will begin to notice that you have time for fun. Occasionally indulge yourself by having special nights with friends. The next day, you'll be energized and ready to get back to work.