5 Ways to Keep Your Sanity While Working Fulltime and Attending College

Meeting life’s financial demands without a job isn’t possible for most people. As such, if you’ve been considering going back to college but also must work fulltime, you may be wondering how you’ll manage both responsibilities.

Attending college while working fulltime can be stressful but it’s also possible and can offer many rewards. The following are five ways to balance college and work responsibilities while maintaining your sanity.

Enroll for Reasonable Credit Loads

A major mistake made by those attending college and working fulltime is registering for several classes each semester. While you may want to finish college as soon as possible, you must do so within reason. Before registering for classes each semester, review the course syllabi of any classes you want to take. Only enroll into the number of classes you know for certain you’ll be able to manage along with your work responsibilities.

Learn Time Management

Proper time management will save you a large amount of stress and frustration. Calculate how much time you’ll need each week to complete homework and also how you’ll manage a work schedule with your class schedule. By creating a schedule and by sticking to it, you’ll be less likely to procrastinate on homework or work projects. If you have a family, this schedule will also help keep the household running smoothly.

Ask for Help

From picking the kids up at school to running household errands, many of your previous responsibilities may no longer be possible to manage with your new class and work schedule. Avoid becoming overloaded with responsibilities by asking your spouse or a close friend for help. Those closest to you will likely be more than willing to lend a hand while you’re learning to balance this new schedule.

Eliminate Distractions

To successfully balance school and a fulltime job, many people must often give up some of their former habits. From watching television to calling friends each evening, consider which distractions you can eliminate to create more free time each day. While giving up a beloved television show may be difficult, it will be worthwhile for maintaining your sanity. You can then use that additional time to complete homework or to stay at work a little longer to complete an important project.

Look Forward

There may be times while you’re attending college and working fulltime that you’ll consider giving up on your educational dreams. These times of doubt often come at the end of semesters when class projects and final assignment deadlines are looming. Offset those doubts by looking forward to how your life will improve after receiving a degree. By keeping your eye on the prize, you’ll always find a way to pull through the difficult times.

Attending college while working fulltime is often stressful but it’s a reality that many people must face. By properly managing your schedule and by eliminating distractions, you’ll learn to handle college and work responsibilities while keeping your sanity.

Comments

[Jennie]

We have been talking to our students and prospective students a lot about this balancing act. We recently posted a two-part blog post on going back to school and how to manage stress, set goals and embracing the "mental refresh" of a new year. We especially enjoyed your tip to ask for help - something that many of us don't do well. Look forward to reading more of your posts on this topic!