Balancing work and an online course can be tricky. You might fall behind if you spend too much time at work and not enough time on your classes. And if you are spending too much time in class and not enough time at work, things can get pretty stressful.
Luckily, there are some simple ways to balance your workload. Here are five tips to help you manage a full-time career while also taking an online degree:
Make sure to schedule your study time
Don’t just think about studying as something that happens when you feel like it — instead, plan out specific times when you will have free blocks of time available for learning. This way, it becomes easier for you to know where and when these free blocks will take place each day or week. You can also use a calendar or planner (either paper or electronic) as part of this process. This gives some structure while still leaving room for flexibility within those boundaries, so they don’t become too restrictive or confining.
This is, however, one of the greatest benefits of undertaking an online degree, such as the online degree from Spalding University. This course is built around the concept of flexibility and enables professionals to continue their career whilst having the opportunity to advance it. It is a win-win.
Prioritize your sleep
The effects of sleep deprivation are cumulative over time. If you want to be at your best during class time, set aside enough time at night for sleeping —and ensure you get that amount of sleep.
You should also avoid using electronics in bed. The blue light produced by electronic screens has been shown to disrupt sleep, so try not to read on your phone or tablet before going to sleep. Doing so could keep you awake longer than necessary.
Seek help from family and friends
While you may not have much free time, the people who love you will want to help you succeed. Make sure they know what’s happening and ask them for support when you need it most.
Inform your employer
When balancing work and an online course, keeping your employer in the loop is important. Let them know as soon as possible if you are going to be late or absent from work because of your course.
Inform your employer that you need more time to complete the course, so they can help you schedule your workload accordingly. Your boss can also advise you on balancing your workload with your studies.
Have a dedicated study space
Ensure that you have a dedicated study space for your online classes. Dedicate this space as “school” and leave all other distractions out of it. You will want to ensure that your computer is easy to access from this space. Suppose you have to move furniture or physically get up from your desk whenever you need to check an assignment or look something up on the Internet. In that case, it will take longer than necessary for each task, and you won’t be able to study efficiently.
Conclusion
Balancing work and an online course can take time and effort. It is essential to set aside time to study and ensure you can meet your deadlines. The most important thing is to get organized and plan out your schedule.
You should also remember that you are not alone in this process, so if things get too overwhelming for you or you need help, reach out to someone who understands.
