Are you wondering if it’s possible to work and study at the same time abroad? Well, a lot of international students were able to do it. Without a doubt, you can also achieve it in your way!
It’s a fact that studying abroad is the trend nowadays. And many people would do anything to get an opportunity to work and study at the same time. However, some of them don’t have good financial standing.
The good news is many countries abroad offer an opportunity to work part-time. It could be of great help in paying bills or even school fees. Therefore, yes, you can work and study in one of the best countries abroad.
Now, you might be asking yourself if you can do it! Well, if others can, so do you! All you need is a real motivation that will push you to become a working student.
In this guide, we’ll share with you some tips on managing your time. These ideas will help you balance work and study effectively. So, if you’re interested in learning more, keep on reading!
How To Balance Work While Studying Abroad| Important Things to Do
It takes a lot of strength and courage to get out of your comfort zone. It’s because you let fear stop you from doing new things. But how will you grow if you won’t even try both working and studying?
Well, it’s time for you to level up your goals in life. As they say, life is short, so make the most of it while you can. Plan your future now and work and study abroad!
As you have already read, you can work and study at the same time. Many part-time jobs are available for international students, and it pays well. Hence, you can survive living abroad with the right amount of determination.
Here are some tips that you can use to balance work and study:
Create a schedule for work and study and follow it
A schedule is essential in keeping track of the things you must accomplish. Also, it reminds you of what to do next and the deadlines to meet within a day. Planning it ahead of time will surely help you keep up with work and study.
Moreover, a detailed plan gives you a greater chance to do things correctly. For example, you may fill out the exact time of the deadline to avoid being late with the submission. You might think it’s impossible to work and study at the same time, but it’s not.
To make your planner more effective, here are the things to include on your schedule:
- time for class
- time for work
- study time
- deadlines/due dates
- appointments
Avoid procrastination and distraction for a better experience
To make a schedule is for you to have a timeline to follow. However, if your actions would affect it negatively, it voids the purpose why you made it. Hence, for your work and study to succeed, avoid practicing delays.
In addition, you have to focus on your plans if you want to work and study at the same time. As much as possible, set aside your gadgets if you have deadlines to meet. Remember that it takes sacrifices to achieve the best experience abroad.
Now, if you think that you’re experiencing this problem, here are some ways to overcome procrastination:
- do the task for just a few minutes
- believe in your ability
- manage your environment
- set yourself short deadlines
- model success
Set your goals and limitations when working and studying at the same time
Now that you’ve planned your schedule, it’s time to set your goals and limitations. Ask yourself if this is a long-term plan or only for a short time. This tip will help you with your goal to work and study at the same time.
Moreover, your goals should be your guide as to where you’ll be heading. For instance, someone invites you out, but you have a schedule to study, so you have to say no. Therefore, you should know your limitations if your goal is to work and study abroad.
If you want to make your goals to be effective, they have to be:
- Specific (for example, “I will study every day between 2 and 4 PM”)
- Measurable (for example, study a certain number of hours or raise your exam score to a particular level)
- Attainable (for example, having the resources and capabilities)
- Realistic (for example, if you’re only free 5 hours a week, a goal of studying 10 hours is impossible)
- Time-specific (for example, setting goals consistent with your academic calendar and other responsibilities)
Be flexible with your work and study and prepare for the unexpected
Despite having the ideal schedule for work and study, something unexpected will always come. Well, even the hottest day could turn into a stormy one. Thus, you have to prepare yourself all the time for a possible change of plan.
Things like this might affect your entire plan for work and study, but you have to deal with it anyway. So, forget about sulking and keep moving instead because it won’t rain forever. Just think that sometimes the best blessings come unexpectedly.
If you think that you need to learn about this skill, here are some ways to achieve flexibility:
- focus on core values
- be open-minded
- be optimistic
- stay calm
- have a solid support system
Work smarter with your work and study, not harder
With your work and study load all in your hand, it’s draining to handle both at once. When you give too much of your energy to one, the other will surely fall. Thus, if you want to succeed in this journey, you have to do it smartly.
Learning to work smarter, not harder can improve your productivity and performance. It improves your focus on primary projects with work and study. But it doesn’t mean that you take your other responsibilities for granted.
If you don’t want your time to control you, you need to work smarter. Now, here are some tips on how to do this:
- improve your time management
- extend your time deadlines
- focus on progress, not perfection
- set up your day the night before
- Focus your time on results, not time and effort
Learn how to manage stress while working and studying
Working and studying at the same time could be stressful. There are times that one gets affected due to the unpleasant experience from the other. And when you don’t know how to manage it, both might suffer terribly.
When people say not to bring your issues to work, they mean well. Moreover, it does the same with your study. Hence, never bring your troubles from work to school.
There are things you can learn to help you manage stress before it gets to be too much. These tips may help you keep stress at bay:
- keep a positive attitude
- accept that there are events that you cannot control
- learn to manage your time more effectively
- make time for hobbies and interests
- seek out social support
Find relevant work in your chosen industry
There are different part-time jobs offered to international students abroad. Nonetheless, it would be great if you can find a job in your chosen industry. It’s because you can apply the skills and knowledge you learn from school to work.
Moreover, the practical experience you get from work could help you with your studies. It would be like having on-the-job training at an earlier stage. Hence, this would be a great way to balance work and study.
Here are some of the popular gigs for international students:
- administrator
- call center agent
- housekeeper
- private tutor
- warehouse operative
Stay physically healthy if you want to succeed with your goals
Nothing is more promising than having the best health. If you want to work and study at the same time, you have to invest in yourself first. Now, you may ask yourself if you’re living a healthy lifestyle.
If you think that you don’t, then it’s time for you to make a change. It won’t be easy, but it’ll be worth it. After all, health is our greatest wealth.
So, here are some tips for you to stay physically healthy:
- get up and exercise
- boost your immune system by taking vitamins
- practice good posture
- eat nutritious foods
- have enough sleep every day
Take a break and relax from work and study
When you feel like the load is too heavy, don’t wait for you to get drained. You need to take a break once in a while and discover some places to travel. Always stay calm and relaxed so you can enjoy work and study.
Never get to the part where you’ll feel burned out already that you just want to quit. So, if you’re tired, have some sleep or take a good shower. Otherwise, your dream of working and studying will fail.
You may want to try one or more of the following relaxation tips to see what works best for you:
- soak in a warm bath
- listen to soothing music
- take a walk
- get a massage
- have a warm drink
Remember why you’re doing what you do
Having great motivation pays off. There will be times in work and study that won’t go as planned. However, it won’t mean the end of your dream.
Just like a car that needs fuel to start, we also need the inspiration to keep moving. Remind yourself from time to time why you’re doing what you do. Thus, never lose your will and drive to continue working and studying.
Here are the best ways to stay motivated, no matter how much you feel like giving up:
- simplify to focus your energy
- break down large goals into small steps
- manage your expectations
- surround yourself with supportive people
- ask for help and offer it
Study and work abroad with GrowPro! Choose the experience you like the most and request your free assessment NOW!
Study and work abroad with GrowPro Experience | We Got You
Studying abroad could be challenging at times, especially if you’ll work at the same time. The practical tips we shared above could help you manage your time with work and study. You can apply all of these for you to achieve your dream.
If you already have a dream destination and are ready to move soon, you may leave us a message. We know that you’re having doubts, but we want you to know that you can trust us. Here at GrowPro, we assure you that you’re in safe hands.
To give you a good kick-off, here’s one of our most requested experiences for your reference. You can complete the form and wait for a call for further assistance. We also give tips on finding the best accommodation, transportation options, and more.
We live with our mission to help international students to study abroad. Set aside your fears and worries, for we will be with you every step of the way. So, choose GrowPro now because we got you!
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