How to study while working full time
Did you know that 70% of students at Victoria University (VU) balance work and study? While doing both can be a challenge, it's something a lot of students manage with the right strategies and approach.
Remember that you're not alone either – support services are here to help. Student mentors and Learning Hub advisors are on hand to help you with everything from giving you study tips to navigating administrative processes.
5 quick tips to balance work and study
Many students at VU successfully manage working alongside their studies. Below are a few essential tips to help you strike the right balance to ensure academic success while having a job.
- Keep a schedule – Set up a weekly or monthly timetable to help you plan out your time for study, work and personal activities. This will help you maintain a sense of routine while being able to see what's ahead.
- Use time management tools – Prioritise tasks based on importance and urgency, with planners, apps and other tools to help you keep track of uni assignments, work deadlines and other life commitments.
- Communicate with work and uni – Talk openly with your employer, managers, teachers and student support staff about your workload and how you're managing everything.
- Get support – Seek support from people at uni and work when you're having trouble managing your workload or are navigating other challenged. At VU, we can help in a variety of ways, whether you need advice, counselling, financial support or referrals to other community support services.
- Take care of yourself – Remember to put yourself first. Prioritise self-care by getting enough sleep, eating good food, getting some exercise and ensuring you have time for socialising, hobbies and other things important to you.
How to balance working & studying full time
The thought of juggling study alongside work and everything else in life might seem intimidating at first. But it’s possible and often more common than people think. In fact – it can even bring benefits like:
- regular income to help you pay for living expenses and other costs that come with study and everyday life
- helping you build confidence and resilience as you become more independent
- gaining additional skills and experience that enhance your career prospects – including soft skills like time management, communication and initiative.
With a bit of planning and self-discipline, you can find a way to balance your time between work and study commitments. What's more – studying at VU makes things easier, with flexible study options and support every step of the way.
Flexible study that fits your life
VU's award-winning VU Block Model® makes it easier to fit your study in around your other commitments – making it work with your schedule, not against it.
Instead of juggling four subjects at once (and dealing with more deadlines), you complete one subject at a time over a four week 'block'. This usually involves three, three hour classes per week. This focused timetable gives you more time for other things in life, including work.
You can even choose from a range of class times (morning, mid-morning, afternoon and evening), to make sure your classes and work hours do not overlap. Once you have your class timetable, you can keep track of deadlines for assessments, papers and presentations.
Need to take a break? As an undergraduate student, you can take time off from your studies for work and still finish your year on schedule. This is because we have optional summer and winter blocks for students who need to catch up (or who want to fast-track their studies).
Inform your employer
There will be inevitable moments where your work and study schedules clash. Hot tip to avoid drama – make sure your employer knows you're studying. This way, you can work out a schedule that benefits you both.
Your manager will probably be supportive of your study, so long as it doesn't impact your performance at work.
Make sure you let them know:
- class times and placements
- time off you may need for study
- changes to your working hours.
Many employers offer study leave. By keeping your manager in the loop, you may be able to take this leave as needed.
Some businesses may also provide sponsorship for upskilling. If you're pursuing professional development in your current field, your study benefits your employer too. Have a chat with your manager, to see what options are available to you.
Remember – university staff are aware that many students have work commitments. If you find yourself struggling with a deadline due to work, talk to your tutors.
Be realistic & don't overdo it
Some students underestimate their study load. This can have a negative impact on your work and studies, increasing your stress levels. Make sure you choose a course and uni that's a good fit for your lifestyle and current obligations.
For example: at a lot of unis, the end of semester can be a frantic time with assignment deadlines and exams needing your full attention.
With the VU Block Model, your assessments are scheduled evenly across the semester because you're studying one unit at a time. This can make it a lot easier for students to balance work and uni commitments.
As a student at VU, you also don't need to worry about exams at the end of the semester – your course mark is made up of assignments, presentations and group work.
If you need to take a break from learning due to work, you can pause your studies for a block or two and return when you're ready.
Get enough sleep
Sleep is absolutely essential! It's worth reinforcing – sometimes it can be tempting to stay up late studying if you feel like you're short on time. But if you're not getting enough rest, it just isn't worth it.
Sleep is important for learning – it's when the brain stores new information and consolidates memories. A lack of sleep impairs attention, affecting academic performance and cognitive ability. Sleep deprivation also leads to poor performance at work and safety risks in the workplace.
Aim to keep to a regular sleep schedule, where you go to bed and wake up at the same time every day. Get the same amount of sleep every night and give yourself breaks from studying.
Keep your body healthy
A healthy body goes hand-in-hand with a healthy mind. Taking care of your health can help improve your mental performance and enable you to reach your study goals.
Eat a nutritious, balanced diet, incorporating high-protein vegetables, chicken, fish, eggs, nuts and seeds. It'll keep your body and brain nourished so you're ready to take on new challenges. If you need it, VU offers free, healthy frozen meals to eat at home.
Alongside a nutritious diet, make time in your study schedule for regular exercise:
- join our gym and attend classes
- take a dip in our swimming pool
- join one of VU's sports clubs
- walk, run or ride your bike outside
Find ways to manage your stress levels. This can help you stay focused and productive.
- take up yoga or meditation, to balance your body and mind
- schedule yourself regular breaks for fun or even to just hang out
- make time for the things that make you happy, outside of work and study – reading, gaming or spending time with family and friends.
Focus on your end goal & the reward
Juggling study and work can sometimes get stressful and overwhelming. You may have moments where you’ll question why you chose to do both at the same time. What were you thinking?!
In times like this, keep your end goal in mind. Visualise what you hope to achieve to help you stay motivated.
You can do this by creating a vision board of what you want your life to look like, once you’ve completed your studies. You may be working full time to pay off tuition fees as you go, saving for a specific goal, or hoping to change careers entirely.
Visualising your end goal can help motivate you when you need it most.
