Tips for Working Full-Time While Taking Online Courses
Posted: December 15, 2019 | Author: SUU Online | Read Time: 3 minutes
These days, there are plenty of college students pursuing degrees while working full time. Perhaps they already have a degree but want to pursue a different career path. Maybe they could not get a degree earlier in life and now they have a family to support. Whatever the explanation may be, it is possible to get a degree while working a minimum of 32 hours a week to retain full-time status at your company. The solution for many people will be to attend an online college, and there are plenty of ways to get started.
Discuss Your Academic Aspirations With Your Boss
Before signing up for online courses, you want to keep your boss in the loop. With online classes, you can typically take care of homework once you clock out for the day. However, a time will come when you need to sacrifice work time for your schooling. You want to make sure your boss knows you are using your free time for education. Many bosses will be accommodating if you need to take a day off to study for an exam, but communication is key here.
Make Family Arrangements
You also want to get your family on board if you plan on working while in college. For example, you may need a different work schedule so that you can take a class at a certain time. However, this may get in the way of you needing to pick up your child from school. You may be able to have a family member pick up your child, but you want to set all of this up well before the first day of classes. You may also need to hire a babysitter from time to time, and you will want to find one you trust well in advance.
Develop a System To Remain Organized
Between work, school and family, you may have a lot to handle. It can be easy to let one responsibility fall to the wayside, so you want to form a plan to stay on top of everything. Try to keep at least two calendars around the house and write down when important events are so everyone knows what is happening. You should also get accustomed to the calendar app on your phone, so you can automatically receive reminders.
Avoid Overexerting Yourself
You may be tempted to take as many classes as you can to get your degree as soon as possible. However, burnout is a serious problem when it comes to going back to school, especially when you already have a family and a job. You want to take it one step at a time, even if that means taking it easy on how many classes you take at once.
Make the Most of Your Downtime
A lot of people think they simply do not have the time to go back to school. However, if you break down your day, you likely have more time than you realize. Do you find yourself mindlessly scrolling through your phone as you wait for coffee? You could make flashcards and study for a test while you wait. Instead of spending your evenings watching television or looking through social media, you could break open a textbook and start reading. You want time to relax, too, but it is important to remain productive when you have multiple responsibilities to juggle.
If you are thinking of going back to school online, consider applying for Southern Utah University. You can obtain your B.S. in elementary education, business management, accounting, and much more online. We also offer associate and master's degree programs online. You can apply today and soon be on your way to an exciting new career.
This article was published more than 3 years ago and might contain outdated information or broken links. As a result, its accuracy cannot be guaranteed.
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