Working full-time and studying? How to manage the career balancing act

Do you work a 40-hour-a-week job and then still have to study? No question about it: that requires a lot of discipline. After all, you still have to cram the material from your studies on top of your full-time job. But if you stick it out until you graduate, you can reap the rewards of your hard work in the end. How can you best manage working full time and studying? You can read more in this article.

Work full-time and study part-time: what are your options?

You have fully entered professional life, but would like to push your career even further. Studying alongside a full-time job might be the solution. The range of part-time degree programmes is growing and so are your options for taking up a degree programme that suits your needs and your daily routine. Are you a face-to-face or distance learning type of person? Which form of study suits you best? You should decide on this first if you want to work full-time and study at the same time.

Evening studies - feel the university atmosphere

Are you looking for direct contact with lecturers and other students during your studies? Then evening classes are probably the right form of study for you. This way, you go to work as usual during the day and attend events at the university in the evenings or at the weekends. By studying in the evening, you don't have to miss out on the typical university atmosphere in addition to your full-time job.

Distance learning - flexible online study

If you decide to study by distance learning, you are also deciding more or less against having a personal relationship with your fellow students. In addition, distance learning requires more discipline and self-management, but also gives you the freedom to study individually according to your needs and daily routines. Another advantage is that there is no additional travel time, meaning you gain valuable time that you can spend on your studies.

Study full-time and work full-time: what is the legal situation?

Are you actually allowed to work full time and study on the side? Wasn't there something about this? Correct, but you only have to pay attention to the legal requirements if you are an international student. For UK student working hours, there are no specific hard restrictions in place for working whilst studying. Academic institutions might recommend you to limit your work hours (under 15 hours a week), but it is rare for them act on these recommendations unless it is having a noticeable impact on studies. If you are an international student studying at degree level, there is a typical cap of 20 hours per week of work in place during term time. This is commonly applied to those on a Tier 4 or student visa. Outside of term time, there is generally no limit on the number of hours you can work, so you could technically work full-time.

Working full-time and studying on top of that? These tips will help you get through it

Anyone who studies while still working has a lot in store. But that doesn't mean you're aiming too high. To stay motivated for as long as possible and not lose focus due to stress, you should have a good strategy in place. Working full-time and studying part-time: these tips will make it easier for you to balance your career.

1. Top tip: Don't forget why you are doing it

Why exactly are you putting yourself through this stress? If you always have this in mind, you won't lose sight of your goal. What do you want to achieve with the part-time degree programme? Where do you see yourself in five years? If you can remind yourself of that when you reach a low point, it can help immensely. On your way between a full-time job and your studies, you should always set milestones. Nothing motivates people more than celebrating small successes in between. Otherwise you run the risk that the goal seems unattainable and you might throw in the towel halfway.

2. Top tip: Small, but your own: set up a workspace for yourself

Just as important as your workspace in the office is a desk to work at home. Especially if you have chosen distance learning, you will spend a lot of time in front of the screen or reading essays, articles and books. In this case, you should definitely set up a place at home where you can work undisturbed in a pleasant atmosphere. You'll find that this makes it all the more easier for you to absorb the learning material.

3. Top tip: Tick-tock instead of TikTok: work on your time management

Working full-time and studying requires good time management. The best thing to do is to stick to a fixed structure and draw up a timetable for each week with study times, tasks and goals. 

4. Top tip: Start your study session with a ritual

Familiar routines can help you to better balance your studies and full-time job. If you stick to fixed study times, put your mobile phone on aeroplane mode and don't allow yourself to be distracted by anything or anyone, you are in a good position to study part-time. Rituals that are intended to ease you straight into a smooth workflow are also on-trend. This may sound a bit time-consuming, but it doesn't have to be. Sometimes it's just little things: you make yourself a cup of tea, slip into a cosy outfit or ring in study time with your favourite song. Whatever you like - after all, it's your ritual.

5. Top tip: Use your time effectively and productively

Someone who works full-time has less time to study than a full-time student. That much is obvious. It is therefore all the more important that you use your resources optimally. This means that you have to work as effectively as possible in the limited time available and understand the subject matter at the same time. Fortunately, there are learning techniques that can support you.                      

6. Stay in contact!

Even if you have chosen a distance learning programme because you prefer this anonymity, it can't hurt to have at least some virtual contact with your fellow students. An online campus can be the best way to get in touch with other students. Here you can exchange ideas with like-minded people, seek help when you get stuck and recharge your batteries when you run out of motivation. 21 percent of people in the UK have stated that they had participated in distance learning, [1] so you're sure to find fellow students in your area.

7. Top tip: Tap into your inner reserves

Some people drain you of energy, while others give you energy. Surround yourself regularly with these energisers and get the support you need to keep up with your studies. Share your situation with friends, family and partner and talk about what you need to feel as good as possible. If those closest to you know where you are currently at, then you can get the best support.

8. Top tip: Breathe in, breathe out: relax!

Cooking, cinema, weight training? Whatever brings your stress levels down, give yourself a break from stressful everyday life on a regular basis. But that's not all. If the stress of a full-time job and studying is getting to you, yoga, autogenic training or progressive muscle relaxation are extremely helpful methods to bring your stress hormones back down.

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[1] Source: https://www.statista.com/topics/8518/digital-learning-in-the-uk/#topicOverview