how to balance college and work

How to Balance College and Work

If you’re trying to start a new career, you’ll need at least a little training. Luckily, technical colleges like York Technical College make getting that training feasible! One of the most common questions people ask when getting started is, “How do I balance college and work?” Many people going to technical colleges for career training are supporting themselves, so they need to work while getting their education. Good news: technical colleges understand that and make balancing work and college as easy as possible! Keep reading to learn how to balance college and work so you can get the career training you need.

Talk with Your Academic Advisor

The best way to get started in your career training when you also have a job is to be open with your academic advisor. Let them know about your job and what your work schedule is like so they can help you plan. It’s the academic advisor’s job to give you the best possible chance of completing your education, so they will give you all the tips as well as provide practical guidance. They know which sections of which classes to take so you can manage working and studying.

Schedule Classes when You’re Not Working

Balancing your scheduling is all about using your time wisely. Work is important. You have to make money to survive. But your education is equally important. If you complete your career training program, you can start an even better career! After you’ve consulted with your academic advisor, you need to sign up for classes. If things go well, you will be able to schedule classes when you’re not working. Changing shifts or requesting a little less time at work could go a long way!

Use Your Free Time Wisely

When college is in session, you need to use your time wisely. You may have to sacrifice some social time for the sake of your training, but it’ll be worth it when you’re working in a better career making more money. Using a planner to schedule when to do class work can be a big help. Preparation goes a long way as well! If you’re ready for classes and review material beforehand, it’ll make the time spent in class more productive and give you a better chance of success. The time you put in now will pay dividends in the future.

Communicate with Your Supervisors

The most important thing when trying to balance college and work is to communicate. Let your work supervisors know that you’re in a training program. There’s a good chance they’ll cut you some slack, switch your shifts, and give you less hours if you request them. Most people in supervisory roles had to go through some kind of training, so they understand how difficult it can be to balance work and education. Be open with people at your workplace and you’ll be amazed at how much easier the balancing act becomes.


 

It can be tricky to balance college and work, but with communication and smart time management, it’s completely achievable! It may get stressful at times, but it’s important to keep your eyes on the prize: a better career and a better life! York Technical College is the perfect place to start that bright future. Click the button below to contact us and jumpstart your new career.