When you are working and studying at the same time, the hours in a day seem to fly by faster than usual. When there are multiple issues in your life to focus on, things tend to get lost in the process. Life is a rush, and balancing everything – from family, friends, health, and work – takes time and a lot of effort.
These pressures should not stop you from studying while working, and we have a few tips on how to make time in your day for studying. Apply these, and you will have that qualification in no time!
Plan your schedule
To make sure that you find the time to study, it is crucial that you plan your schedule daily, weekly, and monthly. The more detail you plan and incorporate into your timetable or schedule, the easier and less stressful your days will be.
Planning your day and study time in detail will leave you prepared for any test or exam. It might seem like putting pressure on yourself to have tasks completed at a certain time, but in the long run, a schedule will prevent anxiety.
A great tip from Skills You Need, is to plan tasks that require more concentration for when you feel you are concentrating the best; for most of us, it would probably be in the morning. Menial tasks such as reading should be planned for when you are a little less focused – in the afternoons or evenings.
Use your schedule
If you have taken the time to create a study timetable for yourself, make sure that you use it. Sticking to your schedule and keeping track of what you are studying, gives you a measure of control over your studies. Having control over your studies and your time makes life a little easier.
When you are keeping track of what you are studying when, you can re-plan your schedule if necessary, which gives you an advantage. For example, if you do not finish a chapter or assignment in your allotted time, move things around so that you can meet your deadline. If you need to spend some of your free time to continue studying, rearrange your plan accordingly.
This kind of planning allows you to go back and see what you have completed, and what you still need to spend time on. With that said, stick to your schedule, but also be flexible; life is not always predictable.
Avoid procrastination
If it is important for you to make time to study online, you will avoid procrastination. We have summarised some tips from College Express to help you with this. When getting stuck in with your online studies, you should set realistic goals for yourself, create and stick to your schedule because it makes tasks more manageable, and set deadlines for yourself. By setting a deadline, you can’t postpone tasks.
Taking breaks during your study sessions is always a good idea; do something that you enjoy during that time and you will feel refreshed when you have to sit down and work again. They also mention using incentives to keep yourself focused. Reward yourself with something you love when you reach certain milestones in your study timetable. Another tip is to get rid of distractions and to get the complicated parts over and done with first.
Be disciplined in all areas
Sometimes, motivation and time are lacking. When you practice being disciplined in all areas of your life, then being dedicated to your studies should come easily. Promise yourself that you can have fun after completing your study time.
Be mindful, focus entirely on what you are doing at the moment. Give 100% to your studies when you are studying and give 100% of your attention to your friend when you are with them. When you give all your attention to what is in front of you, you will do it properly.
Set Goals for Yourself
Setting goals for yourself will help with time-management skills. Setting goals and following your schedule will set you up for success. You should follow the SMART acronym when setting goals for your studies. If you have never heard of this before, we will have a closer look at them below.
S – specific (have clear goals that make sense to you)
M – measurable (ask yourself how you will know that a goal is achieved)
A – attainable (make sure your goals are realistic)
R – relevant (don’t waste time on projects you don’t need to do)
T – time-scaled (set deadlines for yourself)
Goals with these words in mind are achievable and will not leave you disappointed because you did not meet the high standards you have set for yourself.
Make Time for Study
Making time for your online studies is important. By planning your schedule, sticking to it, not procrastinating, being disciplined, and creating goals for yourself, you will be sure to achieve your success.
