How To Successfully Combine Online Study With A Full-Time Job

Life can be hectic enough without combining a full-time job with online study. However, with these simple tips, you could make the process a lot easier for yourself and stay on top of both work and study.

Speak To Your Company About Study Time

Speak to your boss or HR department to confirm if you are entitled to any study time. This is especially relevant if your online study is work-related or something you need for a promotion. It will be in your company’s best interests to help you as much as they can. Even if your online study is not work-related, it is still worth asking for help. Some companies can offer time off to help with online study outside work or allow you to plan your vacation time around exams.

Plan Your Schedule

The key to juggling online study with a full-time job is being organized. Before you start, plan your schedule to know where you need to be and when you need to be there. Break down your studies into manageable chunks and set time aside every week to study. If you stick to a schedule from the beginning, this will become a routine and it will then become a lot easier to stick to this as you go along.

Make The Most Of Your Time

Make the most of the time you have available to study. For example, if you commute to work, this could be an ideal time to study. Take some study material with you on the bus or train and listen to lectures or podcasts in the car. You will be surprised how much information you can retain this way, and it will make your schedule seem a lot lighter if you can use this time to study. 

Eliminate Distractions

It can be easy to get distracted when you are studying. If you are tired after a hard day’s work, it can also be challenging to sit down and study for a couple of hours without your mind wandering elsewhere. Consider using a productivity website blocker (see an example from Blocksite.co) to help you focus. This will allow you to block websites you may find yourself looking at when you should be using the time to study. You could also set the time you want to block these sites so you can peruse them once you have finished studying. This will help you stay in control of your time.

Plan Breaks

Don’t forget to plan breaks while you are studying. Your mind will not be able to focus for hours at a time, and this will not be constructive. Aim to study for about 45 minutes every hour and take a break for the other 15 minutes. This can help to focus your mind and you will find that you can get a lot more done.

Get Enough Sleep

It can be tempting to burn the midnight oil when you are trying to work full-time and follow an online study schedule at the same time. However, this is counterproductive as having a late night can get in the way of you working and studying to the best of your ability the next day. It is far better to study for a shorter period of time and then get a good night’s sleep, and get ready to do it all over again the next day.

Focus On Your Goals

It can feel quite overwhelming to combine a full-time job with online study. Focus on the reasons you are trying to achieve this. Are you trying to win a promotion or get a better-paid job? Perhaps it is something you want to do to prove that you can. Whatever your reasons are, keep this in mind to help you stay focused. If it helps, write your goals down on a post-it note and leave it somewhere visible, such as on your computer or fridge door, for constant motivation.

Combining a full-time job with an online study program is possible, but it isn’t always easy. It will take a lot of self-motivation, discipline, and determination, but you can do it. Stick to these principles, and you will be successful.