Working full time while studying? Top tips for success

Working full time while studying Top tips for success

There are many reasons why it is prudent to pursue a full degree while continuing to work full time. Unlike in the past, this does not mean attending night classes or going on the weekends. It doesn’t mean that you are limited by your options close-by. Instead, it means being able to choose the perfect degree for your future and to work towards it at your own pace and from the comfort of your own home. 

Doing so is not a walk in the park, but with the right resources and routine changes, you can successfully tackle both pursuits at once. All you need is to follow this guide, and you’ll find it not just manageable to work while studying, but something you can accomplish with confidence. 

Reasons to Take on a Degree Alongside Your Career

There are so many reasons to take on a degree alongside your career. There are so many reasons to learn on your own time, full stop. The difference between taking a short course or even a free online course is definitely time and cost. You need to be 100% certain that it is a degree in particular that you need for the sake of your career, which often means that you will be pursuing that higher qualification for one of two reasons: 

1. You Need the Formal Qualifications 

Those that work in strict career paths that are overseen by governing bodies often need to have the necessary formal qualifications to progress their careers. A great example of this is in nursing. To go to the next level of nursing, you first need a BSN, then MSN, and to go even further, you will need a DNP. There are DNP degrees in specific roles, all the way to degrees that will prepare you to become a nurse executive. It is essential that you work towards these higher degrees so that you can qualify for the next level of nursing and to also prepare you for the truly challenging days ahead of you the further up you go in your career. 

There is no choice but to further your career with formal qualifications, which makes it easy for you to commit to the effort. 

2. You Want to Direct Your Career into a New Direction 

Another great reason to pursue a full degree while working full time is if you want to direct your career in a new direction. This can be you getting your first degree while you work retail, or it can be shifting your career from the high-level role to a new industry or position entirely. If you have a dream for your future, and that dream is better accomplished with a solid foundation that only a degree can offer, then go for it. 

The reason why you want to be 100% certain that your degree will help your career is that working and studying is a serious commitment. You need to be dedicated to the degree so that you can push through the bad days and progress consistently until you graduate. It may take a year or even more, depending on the level of education you are going for next, and you need to be committed every step of the way. 

Top Tips for Success

Building a stable routine is the best way forward. For those working 9-to-5 office jobs that are fairly consistent, building this routine will be much easier than nurses working in shifts (especially during a pandemic). If you aren’t careful, you could burn out, and that will set you back significantly. It is in the best interest to improve your health and your routine. With these two in the bag, you will be able to accommodate your work, your personal life, and your degree: 

1. Improve Your Diet 

Try to increase your intake of iron, vitamin D, and the various B vitamins in order to give your body what it needs to be more awake and alert. Hydrating properly and eating balanced meals will also help give you the energy you need to stay active throughout the day and afterward, especially if you are a busy nurse. 

2. Sleep Better With These Tips

For those working consistent hours, the best way to improve your sleep is to get your sleep cycle on your side. Going to sleep at a set time and waking up eight hours later should do the trick. 

For those like nurses who work shifts and whose workload has likely seen an increase in overtime, however, this option simply isn’t going to work. Instead, you will want to build a consistent routine. Do the same activities around the time you start to go to bed and the same ones when you wake up. Try to stay away from blue-white light, and definitely invest in black-out curtains if you work night shifts. 

3. Building Strength and Flexibility

It doesn’t matter if you are a nurse and are on your feet all day; there are many benefits to exercising or at least just doing some stretches in the morning. By building up the strength in your muscles, you can reduce the fatigue you feel throughout the day. You will also be improving the circulation through your brain and making yourself feel more alert and well. 

4. Building a Study Community

It’s a lot easier to stick to a study and learning routine when you are not the only one in your life that seems to be doing it. Students on campus typically have this benefit, but for those learning remotely, it is essential that you join a community of others ideally doing the same degree as you. This can be those in your course or just those who are, for example, also studying to become a nurse. Even an online, text-based relationship can do wonders to keeping you on track and helping you manage your stress. 

5. Improving Self-Learning 

There are many tips and tricks to help you learn and retain information, but the fact of the matter is not all will work. You need to find the learning tricks that seem to click for you and keep at them to improve your learning and your future.