Clients, deadlines and textbooks – The challenge of studying while working

Studying while working is a difficult juggling act, but there are techniques that can help make your life just that little bit easier - and increase your chances of success!

Being able to pursue a tertiary level qualification is a privilege many take for granted. Moreover, the privilege of studying full time is often taken for granted, too. Full time students are able to devote their time almost exclusively to meeting the requirements of demanding programmes.

A changing world

But, the world is constantly changing, and the way studying is approached has changed with it. Today, a multitude of those registered for degrees are also fully-fledged members of the country’s workforce.

Having to work while studying is often not a choice for students: degrees (historically) have never – by any stretch of the imagination – been cheap endeavours. Even with the recent government intervention in fee structures, those who missed out on the changes had to find jobs immediately after school, and are now left with no choice but to work and study at the same time.

The benefits

Working while pursuing a degree, however, can have extremely positive benefits. The first of these is the gaining of experience in the labour market.

Ideally, a student would be working in the industry that relates to their degree, and the experience gained in the “real world” setting could prove to be even more valuable than the theoretical exercises universities are often criticised for concentrating on.

Many will argue that the proof of this assertion is in the pudding: employers are often more impressed by industry experience than formal qualifications.

The support of your employer

Industries recognise that a large portion of school leavers have to enter the labour force immediately, and employers therefore make provision for the demands of studying. HR departments consistently go above and beyond the stipulations of the law with regards to enabling academic success.

Given many companies’ generosity, it goes without saying that if you are studying, try to avoid taking advantage of a firm’s goodwill.

Two important considerations

In terms of overcoming the adversity faced when studying and working, experts have identified two key elements that are needed to keep your employer satisfied while meeting degree requirements.

  • The first, and most crucial, is excellent time management. Simply put, as a working student, your time is a precious commodity, and it’s imperative that you make the most of each day by following a well-planned timetable.
  • The second element addresses communication: Communicating events like project deadlines and exams well in advance will keep your manager in the loop about demands made on you outside of company timelines, and they can then plan accordingly.

Making it through a degree programme is always a challenge, and working only compounds the difficulty of the task. However tough it may seem at times, though, don’t give up: the rewards (financial and personal) are sure to be worth the effort.

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