Jul
24
2014
Combining work and study - six tips to help you through
By Kerry Johnson.
Part-time study is a great option if you want to gain a degree but continue working, but it's certainly not an easy route to a qualification!
I didn't quite manage to finish my degree when I was younger, and I always regretted it. So when I learned that Birkbeck offered evening teaching, I was keen to give it a go and signed up for a part-time BA in Politics, Philosophy and History.
Now that I'm approaching my final year, I have a few pieces of advice for anyone who's thinking of taking the plunge.
1. See what your workplace can do for you
Many organisations these days offer a range of policies that will help you combine work and study. You may be able to shift your working pattern to fit in with your studies if there are flexible working time policies to take advantage of. My old workplace offered extra study leave, and some will even contribute towards the cost!
Even if these options aren't available at your company, it's still worth letting your line manager know about your studies - if nothing else they'll be more understanding about late holiday requests as you realise you're nowhere near completing that essay...
2. Allow yourself some "you time"
Between working 9-5, studying 6-8, commuting and housework, it might not seem as if you have a second to spare - especially if you have a family. Try and set aside some "you time" every week, even if it's just for a couple of hours; you'll feel better for it - nothing will burn you out faster than working during every waking hour.
Oh, and if you're studying at night, remember to eat at some point - speaking from experience, this is not as obvious as it sounds.
3. Socialise... but not too much
Student bars are wonderful, and wonderfully cheap. You will probably end up there, and you'll probably drink too much wine on a work night. It's all part of the student experience, but take it easy. You don't need to socialise after every lecture - you are allowed to just go home, no matter what the 21 year olds on your course might tell you.
That being said, I thoroughly recommend making a real effort to get to know your classmates. You will occasionally need to text someone (as I once did) saying "I DON'T UNDERSTAND WORDS ANYMORE. COFFEE?" and your non-student friends may not appreciate the deep fear that sets in three hours before an essay deadline. A student cohort is incredibly important for the support that you will need at difficult times.
4. Good time management is vital
This should go without saying, but it really is important not to leave your essay writing until the last minute. I know, I know, you've heard all this before, but do you really want to be staying up until 3am writing about Hegel when you have a big pitch at work the next day? You really don't, so you need to plan your time carefully. You should be informed of your essay deadlines well in advance, so add them to both your personal and work diaries, and take some annual leave if you can.
Realistically, you won't get all of your assigned reading done every single week. All you can do here is try your best. Figure out which readings are key, and prioritise them. Do you have a long commute to work? Read. Do you get a proper lunch break? Read - even if it's at your desk. The more you schedule it into your daily routine, the easier it will get.
5. Student support services are there - use them
At some point you're bound to feel completely overwhelmed. And this is where your university or further education college can help.
There will be a personal tutor, a course director or even a friendly departmental administrator* who can lend an ear and a shoulder to cry on. And if there's no one within your department, your Student Union should have an advice service. Even if you've opted for distance learning, there should be someone at the other end of an email - the Open University offers a wide range of support, despite the lack of a physical presence.
6. DON'T PANIC
It can all seem incredibly daunting at some points - not only do you attend classes three nights a week, you also have a tonne of reading to catch up on, an essay to write, and OH GOD exams are only two months away. Oh, and you've been at work since 7am and Geoff in HR is bugging you about that overdue report.
Before you reach for the gin, just take ten minutes out to sit and breathe. Go for a walk around the block, listen to a power anthem or grab a cigarette if you smoke ‘em. It's all going to be fine. You're probably only going to be attending classes for 20 weeks or so over the academic year, and then there's a long, glorious summer ahead.
So look at Calming Manatee, work on your stress management techniques, and remember: it'll all be worth it at graduation.
*Speaking as someone who spent a long stint working as a departmental administrator, we love hearing your problems, and not just because we're nosy. We know the regulations, and we know exactly who is most likely to answer an email at 4pm on a Friday. So get to know your administrators. Maybe even buy them some chocolate at Christmas.
