How to balance work and study while living Abroad.

We know what you’re thinking, balancing work and school is tough!

Whether you’re working towards applying for a student visa or wanting to study English abroad, juggling a handful of things at the same time can be challenging. So, how can you balance both work and school commitments while getting the most out of both? Let’s explore some tips below.

Have a plan and be realistic
Are you currently working and going to school at the same time? Whilst it can be tricky to manage, some careful planning can help you stay on top of everything.

Have you considered writing a list of everything you need to get done in a week? While it doesn’t work for everyone, visualizing everything on your plate can help to make it feel all the more manageable

Reach out to friends and family
Doing household chores while studying can be hard, and it gets even harder when you also need to work to pay for bills and essential items. It may seem silly to suggest, but reaching out to friends or family for assistance may be a big help.

If you’re studying abroad, reaching out to family may not be an option, however, you might be surprised by just how many people are willing to help. Is there something that you need to get done before the end of the week that you just can’t fit into your busy schedule? Well, this could be the time to consider reaching out to friends for assistance.

Avoid time wasting
Do you end up watching an entire season of your favorite show on Netflix instead of completing homework? Well, if we have to spell it out, you’re wasting precious time! Everyone deserves time for simple pleasures, however, such time can’t get in the way of work and study.

If you’re stressed and struggling to stay on top of work and study, it may be an idea to cut down your Netflix time to just an hour a day. That way, you’ve got something to look forward to at a particular time, and you won’t be stressed with the thought of everything you’re neglecting in the back of your mind.

Chat to your boss
If work is making it difficult to keep on top of your study commitments, consider asking your boss or manager for a new schedule. Yes, it can be intimidating asking your manager for different shifts or a new schedule, but if you don’t ask, you’re not helping yourself balance your precious time.

Unfortunately, not all managers are open to discussing staff schedules and work hours. If you’re not comfortable going to them directly, consider asking another senior member of staff to see if they can help in any way.

Rearrange your schedule
While you may feel like you’ve done this countless times, write again your schedule again. Try rearranging it, there may be things that you’ve missed writing down. Reaching out to a friend for a second opinion may also be a good idea as they’ll bring a fresh perspective.

Learn to manage stress
As we’ve already identified, it can be tricky to manage both work and study commitments. Busy schedules can introduce pressures or stress and at times, this stress can challenge your ability to focus when you’re under the pump.

While everyone has different ways of managing stress, physical activity, catching up with friends or simply enjoying some time outdoors can help you regain focus. Know what works for you and be sure to prioritise yourself when stress starts to take over your busy schedule.

Have you got any tips or tricks that help you balance your work and school commitments? If you do, consider sharing them with friends and family that are in a similar position – you never know who you might help out along the way.