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While running a business and studying can be daunting, most people are doing it. A recent survey shows that around 59% of students are working either part-time or full-time. The increase in the number of working students is due to the need to avoid debt, sustain a lifestyle an individual wants, and increase employment prospects.
To help meet their academic and career goals, most people are opting to take online classes. Distance learning is flexible, can provide real value to working students, and has no scheduling conflict. Out of 6.6 million learners who enrolled in distance education, 47% of working students prefer online classes because they have existing commitments such as a business that makes it impossible to take a campus-based course.
Therefore, with proper planning, a bit of research, and the right online course, anyone can manage a business and studies simultaneously. To help make the journey even smoother, here are tips to keep in mind.
Have a Plan in Place
Most people choose not to study and manage a business at the same time because it can be overwhelming, especially when you already have so much on your plate. That is why if you decide to do it, you must first have a solid plan. For starters, determine how much school workload you have to do each semester and gauge whether you can spare several hours a day either before or after work to study and do assignments.
If you can handle both the workload from your course and business, use a calendar or planner to allot appointments, homework, exams, and social events to their designated dates. You can even use a reminder or color code the calendar to help you visualize upcoming events. Set time aside to consult essay writers on concepts that you believe you might require writing help.
Set Long and Short Term Goals
Having goals already in place acts as a reminder of why you wanted to work and study at the same time. Maybe you have a family to take care of or want to live off-campus in a good apartment. Whatever your reasons are, clarifying your priorities and setting both long and short-term goals gives you something to look forward to. Besides, when you find yourself achieving those goals, you won’t lose sight of the end game. You will have the confidence to set bigger goals and pursue them with passion.
Be Willing to Make Necessary Adjustments
Excellent time management involves planning everything to the last detail. However, unavoidable challenges are also part of life. In such situations, you must be willing to make changes that ensure you remain within your schedule.
For instance, a business meeting that was supposed to take less than 45 minutes ends up taking 2 hours, which eats up a big portion of your study time. In such a case, you can use the commute time to review class material or avoid going for lunch with friends and use the time to study.
Start Working on Assignments Sooner, Not Later
Procrastinating forces learners to pull-all nighter and creates the habit of cramming a lot of information within a short time. You enrolled for that particular course because you want to gain specific skills or gain knowledge to boost your business.
That is why it is important to start working on bigger projects early to avoid the last-minute rush, which can cause you to submit shoddy work that translates to a poor grade. This also applies to a business where you have a crucial presentation or pitch. You don’t want to have so many things in the same week, which can leave you stressed and overwhelmed.
Stay Committed to Success
To enjoy success in all areas of your life, you must commit to both schools and work equally. Otherwise, one area will excel at the expense of another. Balancing work from an online business and school requires you to be committed to your goals and the need to succeed.
This comes in handy when you feel like quitting because you become motivated and productive once you are fully invested in your vision. You will put in the work even when you don’t feel like it, which moves you closer to achieving the set goals.
Have Fun
Studying and working is not going to be easy. You may struggle sometimes and feel like quitting. Remembering the reason why you are in school and running an online business will keep you motivated. Besides, you only have one life, so have fun, enjoy the experience and learn from your mistakes.
