Balancing Full-Time Work with Pursuing an Online Degree

Quick Highlights:

Balancing work and online studies requires effective time management, including a consistent schedule and clear priorities.
Use all academic resources provided by the online program, such as advisors and peer study groups.
Set clear short-term and long-term goals to maintain motivation.
Engage in non-work and non-study activities, like exercise, to manage stress.
Use digital tools for scheduling, reminders, and group learning to stay organized and connected with classmates.

Getting an education is a challenging process. It’s hard enough to get through school without the additional pressure of keeping up with a full-time job at the same time. Is it possible? Yes – but you will need a plan. This article presents some fundamental strategies for success when balancing work and online degree studies.

Time management for online students is particularly important. Without the accountability of attending class in person, it’s easier to fall behind. Before you start an online program, review resources like this one to prepare yourself for success.

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The Inherent Challenge of Blending Online Education and Full-Time Work

There is nothing easy about getting an education while working a full-time job. Yes, the availability of online programs has made this endeavor possible, but it’s still challenging. It’s essential to have strategies for online learning success in place if you are going to thrive, and we’ll talk more about those in the next section.

Managing your time is the primary obstacle you’ll face in this process. There are only so many hours in the day, and you can’t make more no matter how hard you try. Getting the most out of every minute is going to be essential. That means not only focusing intensely on work and school but also finding time to be just as focused on personal matters like relationships, chores, etc.

It’s not only a lack of time that will create challenges. You’ll also find yourself feeling fatigued and may often feel like giving in. It’s during these times that you need to think about why you are pursuing higher education in the first place. Keeping the reward of a higher salary or better career in mind can keep you moving forward even when you would rather take a break.

Finally, for some people, online degree programs are isolating and lonely. This is particularly true if you work a job that doesn’t feature a lot of personal interaction. Working an individual job at a desk only to go home and study at a similar desk can leave you feeling down and even depressed. Being intentional about finding ways to interact with others is a key piece of this puzzle.

Use These Effective Study Habits for Online Courses

Success in online degree programs doesn’t happen by accident. Rather, it’s the result of being particularly intentional with your actions. The study habits below are a great place to start.

Building a Schedule

Managing stress with online education and coming out on the other side with a degree comes down to maintaining a consistent schedule. If you don’t know when you are going to do your work, chances are it won’t happen at all.

If you have a full-time job, use the hours of that job as a starting point for your schedule. Those hours are non-negotiable and you can work from there to fit in your school work. Remember, you’ll need time for studying in addition to watching lectures and going through course materials online.

As you build your schedule, remember that it’s mentally difficult to study for too many hours at one time. It’s best to break up your study blocks, so try to find chunks during your day to dedicate to school. Perhaps that means 30 minutes in the morning, 30 minutes at lunch, and 30 minutes in the evening after dinner. Whatever it looks like, create a plan that is consistent and sustainable so you don’t burn out quickly after starting.

Maintaining Clear Priorities

One of the best tips for online students with jobs is to have clear priorities for what work needs to be done and when. You don’t have the flexibility in your schedule to waste time on things that aren’t urgent. Good scheduling for online learning involves mapping out what assignments are due and what tests are coming up. This habit will go a long way toward reducing your stress since you will feel like you are keeping up and are prepared for the next steps.

Using Available Resources

The best online degree programs have just as many resources available to learners as traditional in-person programs. Make sure to use all of the resources that are offered to you as a way to make life easier and learn as much as possible. Academic advisors can help you deal with tricky topics, and peer study groups are a great way to connect with others and learn collaboratively.

Finding the Motivation You Need

Managing your work-life balance in education isn’t going to be simple throughout your degree program. Most likely, you will start out feeling highly motivated and excited, only for your emotions to move up and down as the weeks and months pass.

To stay motivated, start by setting some clear goals – both short-term and long-term. These goals can serve as a guiding light when you are feeling low and frustrated. Look at your goals regularly to remember why you are doing all of this work and what could be waiting for you on the other side.

The other key factor is to do some things that don’t relate to either work or school. You won’t have a ton of free time so plan these activities carefully and stick to the schedule you plan. Exercise is a great hobby to distract from school and work, as it is good for your body, naturally reduces stress, and can be fun at the same time.

Put Technology on Your Side

Productivity tips for online learners would not be complete without a mention of how important it is to use modern technologies to your advantage. From digital calendars and reminder apps to group learning tools and beyond, there are countless pieces of technology that can benefit you in this pursuit.

In many ways, using technology is one of the big advantages of online education for workers. You don’t have to be in the same physical place as your study group, for example, as long as you have the right tech in place.

It’s All Worth It in the End

Yes, the challenges of studying online are real. You will need to be prepared to overcome them, but it’s nothing you can’t handle. Maintaining work while studying is something that has been done by many students before you and having a clear and consistent plan to keep up will help you get to the finish line.

Once you complete your online degree program and can start to look for work in your new field, you will be happy you worked so hard. Going to online school with a full-time job requires dedication and commitment but the rewards are worth the sacrifice.