HOW TO MANAGE BEING A FULL TIME STUDENT AND AN EMPLOYEE

HOW TO MANAGE BEING A FULL TIME STUDENT AND AN EMPLOYEE

By Rebecca Masina

Being a student and working at the same time may seem stressful and look like an impossible thing to do. It can be a struggle to keep a healthy balance between the time spent on school work and time spent at work. With proper management of time, though, things could work out for the better, even though it is going to be a handful.

Lehlogonolo Dibakwane is an environmental studies student and a student advisor at Tshwane University of Technology. He says it’s tough being a student and an employee at the same time, yet with good time management he can pull through. “The two areas are important and they both need attention and determination. Both need time, patience and consistency,” he added.
He is currently in his final year of studying and paying for his own studies. He has been working since his second year.  “Choosing to study and work full time, you are basically signing yourself up for a few very hectic years,” he said.
David Letswalo works as a data capturer and studies Information Technology at TUT. He shares the most important points to consider managing being a full time student and an employee.

Set your goals

You know you want to work and study so it is vital to put your facts straight and to pull yourself together. Some of your leisure time will need to be put aside. Don’t do things without having reasons for them.

School can be costly. Don’t waste time and money if you don’t have a passion for it. Only learn new skills for your current job if it will make you a markedly better employee, and if possible, put you in line for a promotion or raise. If you are studying towards a degree, have a clear plan as to how that degree is going to help your career aspirations.

Set your expectations

You know going to school at the same time working for many hours per week is going to be tough. Sometimes you will have to pull some late night studying and you know you cannot leave your work responsibilities because you chose to do all this, then you must be able to deal with it. Have some positive thinking. The best solution is to create a written plan of how you expect to spend your time before you start you’re studying and working.

Know what is important and what can’t be missed or left undone, the most important responsibilities. Create a schedule of how much time you will spend on your studies and work. This is vital as it can make your life easier.

Seek help and support

Doing both works may seem like your social life has been taken away but that doesn’t mean it is the end of the world or good life. If you enjoy what you are doing then you are likely to succeed in both areas and not notice that you are actually working hard.

Take it easy and stay positive

Do not rush things. Love and enjoy doing them and you will see how much you can accomplish by the end of the day.

Remember you can do it

You can work hard during the day and still have the ability to focus on your studies at night. It won’t be easy, but the payoff can be wonderful. Remember studying and working full time requires a lot effort and dedication.