If you’ve recently moved to the UK to study, there’s a good chance you’re also working alongside your studies to subsidise your income. Balancing your work and studies can be tough but there are ways to make things more manageable.
Here are our top tips and tricks on how to manage your work and studies.
Plan ahead
In order to make both your studies and work a success, planning ahead is key. Each month, create a schedule of important key dates like lectures, deadlines and exams. Then, factor in some additional time for independent study. This will give you a good idea of how much time you’ll likely have to work and enjoy your free time. When you’ve got a loose plan in place, you’re also less likely to feel overwhelmed.
Assess your costs
One of the most important things about studying abroad is working out your costs. It’s really important to have a good understanding of how much money you need to earn to get by. This way, you can be realistic about how many shifts you’ll need to work to subsidies your studies. Understanding your income and outgoings can also help you budget better. Win-win!
Put yourself first
As it can be expensive to live in the UK, you may be tempted to accept extra shifts in your spare time. But remember, you still need some time for you! Don’t miss out on your student experience by working all the time. It’s really important that you give yourself the time to rest and unwind between your work and studies. The last thing you want to do is burn yourself out.
Be transparent with your tutor
When you’re working alongside your studies, it’s a good idea to let your tutor know. This way, they’ll be more understanding if something comes up or you need a deadline extension. Granted, this won’t always be guaranteed but it may help them to cut you some slack if you’re feeling overwhelmed.
Try to link your work and your studies
If you’re still in the process of looking for a job, try to find one that links to your studies. For example, if you’re studying medicine, a part-time job in a pharmacy or doctor’s surgery would work really well. However, this is easier said than done so don’t worry if the ‘perfect part-time job’ doesn’t fall immediately on your lap.
Remember what’s important
While earning money is important, don’t forget that your studies should always come first. It’s probably the reason why you decided to move abroad after all. It can be difficult to navigate the two but with careful planning that includes giving yourself adequate time to rest in between, it can be done.
Good luck with your studies! You’ve got this!
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