19/01/2024
Whether you are thrilled, scared cold or still in denial, studying when you have a full-time position and family will bring most people to their knees. I recently completed my studies through the Gordon Institute of Business Science and this is what I’ve learned:
1. Talk, talk, talk: Have discussions with your manager, key stakeholders, family and friends before your course starts. It’s helpful if you talk about the mutual benefits this qualification may have e.g. you’ll be able to do ___ (insert new skill) at work, you’ll potentially earn ___ more money or you’ll fulfil ____ dream / personal aspiration.
2. Set up a dedicated study space: Even a small, organised area at home can help you focus and transition into study mode quickly. Now is the time to buy that funky highlighter set or get yourself a happy coffee mug to use when you burn the midnight oil.
3. Get meals out of the way: Use a professional service or cook in bulk and freeze meals to save time during the week. You may think it’s more expensive but I ended up saving thousands by cutting out the trips to the grocery store, not to mention on average 60 - 90 minutes daily saved by not cooking lunch or dinner. And why are you going to the shops - Checkers Sixty60 it!
4. Delegate responsibilities: Share household chores with family members or consider investing in services like cleaning to free up more time. We made a list of ALL chores, agreed on how often and how they had to be done and then divided it. Look the other way if the towels are not folded they way you wanted, this is temporary.
5. Create a structured schedule: Plan your week in advance, allocating specific times for studying, work, and family. This helps in managing your time effectively and ensures that each aspect of your life gets the attention it needs.
6. Communicate openly: Keep your employer, teachers, and family informed about your commitments. This helps in setting realistic expectations and gaining their support and understanding. Print out a schedule of important dates and put it up where everyone can see it. Remind your manager and family a week before important dates.
7. Plan for fun: You (and your family) need to have something to look forward to. Book a trip / weekend away after your final exam or submission, but if the course runs over a year you may need to do this every few months. It’s important to check in with your loved ones as they are your support.
8. Utilise small time blocks: Use short periods effectively, like reading a chapter during a lunch break or listening to lecture recordings while commuting. Setting a timer can also help you to focus for 30 minutes followed by a 10 minute break.
9. Use the tools available to you: Use Adobe Reader to “read out loud” the documents you need to prepare for class while you do other tasks like brush your teeth or get dressed. Past exam papers are almost always useful. DO THE PRE-READING!
10. Done is better than perfect. Make peace with this. Don’t spend too much time fussing about unnecessary details when you can rather sleep and be more functional at home and work. If you start early enough you’ll have enough time to “polish” your work and you’ll retain more.
11. Bonus: Obvious things that didn’t make this list include taking care of your health, limiting the abuse you self-inflict with excessive caffeine and alcohol etc, prioritising sleep, supplementing with a good quality multivitamin and seeing the sun regularly. Avoid sick people - sick leave will add to the already time constrained scurry of getting through the course.
Share this with anyone who is studying this year 💡
