The average costs of college tuition range from $7,020 for a four-year, in-state public institution to $26,273 for a private, four-year university, according to College Board. While this accounts for tuition, it does not encompass your living expenses, book costs and other school supplies. For this reason, working at a full-time job may prove necessary in order to ensure you can support yourself while earning a degree. Because the rigors of college study are a full-time job within itself, achieving a balance is difficult--but not impossible.
Step 1
Inform your boss that you will be both working and going to school. Tell her that this commitment will not make your job performance suffer, but you do have commitments outside of your daily work. This will create an understanding should a situation arise where you need time off work to prepare for a test, write a paper, meet for a group project or engage in other activities that require time off.
Step 2
Schedule your classes at times when you are best able to learn. If you are a morning person, schedule your classes in the morning. Pick afternoon classes if you are a better afternoon learner, says Bank Rate. It's best to schedule these in one consistent block of time, because this will allow you to attend classes for several hours in a row, which will then leave time for studying and working.
Step 3
Stay organized. Keep a master schedule of your work and school hours and add in appointment times with professors. You can even schedule study sessions with yourself. By writing things down, you are more likely to stick to a schedule and will have to be less reliant on yourself to remember every aspect of your schedule.
Step 4
Prioritize your to-do list. If you find yourself becoming overwhelmed by the things you have to do, prioritize those you must do first. While you should avoid putting off tasks or projects too long, thinking about what truly must be done in a day can help you get a better perspective on your time management practices.
Step 5
Make time for yourself. Even if it is only for 30 minutes a week, reading a book for pleasure, taking a walk, talking with a friend or doing some other activity you enjoy can help rest your mind after a week of working and studying, according to Bank Rate.
Things You'll Need
- Planner, notebook or other organizer
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