top tips: your study vs. your job;

As I've mentioned before, I'm currently a full-time student working towards an honours degree, which means lots of exams, lots of assignments, and lots of pressure.  On top of this, I work 20+ hours a week, which leaves me very little time for study.  Every day, I get asked the same question, over and over.  How do you manage it? Well, I'm going to tell you.  Here's my advice for staying on top of your studies while working.

(1) Attendance Attendance Attendance:  This is the most valuable piece of advice I could give you.  I can't stress enough how important it is to attend every class.  First of all, having less time to revise than other students, you might already find yourself falling behind.  Skipping class is only going to add to the growing pile of catch-up work you've to do.  And, if you find yourself really stuck or overwhelmed, lecturers are always more than happy to help, but only if they know you've been attending.  From experience, if you can't be bothered to even turn up, your lecturer won't be bothered to help.

(2) Get to know your lecturer/tutor:  Following on from my last point, make sure your lecturer knows who you are.  Now, I don't mean on a super-personal level, but they should at least recognise your face and name.  Participate in class.  Don't be afraid to ask questions and make comments.  Like I said, lecturers are always happy to lend a hand if they know that you're making an effort.

(3) Google is your friend:  This is something you should do before asking for help.  If you're stuck on an assignment, or you don't understand something in your notes, google it first.  Take note of the results, see if they make sense to you.  Some of them might, others might not.  Then, if you're still stuck, your lecturer will appreciate that you've at least attempted it yourself and it'll give them a better idea of what help/information to give you.

(4) Make every minute count:  Time is of the essence.  There's not a minute to lose.  We all know that you didn't really  need to watch that episode of Antiques Roadshow, and that you took twenty minutes longer than usual to make that cuppa.  Procrastination has no place in this world of study and employment, and you could have easily written 600 words in the time you spent formatting the headings.  If you utilise your free time properly (including before class starts, between classes, free classes, breaks, and those few minutes after college finishes and your job starts) you'll find that you get much more study done than you realised.

(5) Get stuck in:  When it comes to assignments, the hardest part is mustering the motivation to get started.  It's torturous.  Believe me, I know.  But once you get into it, there'll be no stopping you. And don't stop, unless you have to, or you'll have to go through the whole process all over again.

(6) Keep Calm and Carry On:  Finally, don't panic!  Not only does panicking waste valuable time, but it doesn't achieve anything.  All it does is drain your motivation and make you feel like poo.  Stay calm, have confidence in yourself and your ability, and just get on with it.  You'll be graaand.

Do you have any tips for balancing study with work/home life?  Thanks for reading, and good luck!