APU Careers Careers & Learning

Work, School and a Social Life: How You Can Do It All

work-life-school-balance-tipsBy Adrienne Erin
Contributor, Online Career Tips

Anyone who has a full-time job knows that making time for a social life can be a little difficult. However, having time for friends and parties can be almost impossible when you’re working 40 plus hours and taking college courses at the same time. While seemingly unattainable between attending class, studying and working, there are still ways to squeeze in quality social time with your friends and family. Here are some tips to help you do just that.

Budget Your Time                                     

If you’ve got a to-do list that feels like it’s a mile long, the only way to get everything accomplished and make time for a little fun is to budget your time. Take into account how many hours per week you need to spend on your course work and make a schedule of when you’re going to do it. When making your weekly schedule, take into account your social life and what evenings and weekends you have events. Plan what times you’re going to hit the books around your social plans and make it a requirement to buckle down and work when you said you would. If your social calendar is too big you may not be able to fit everything in — as studying takes precedence — however, budgeting your time will help you spend your time more wisely and help you make room for social activities.

Become Super-Efficient

If you want to hit the bars with your friends, but still ace your final exams, it’s possible; it just requires you to become hyper-efficient. This means using up every spare second of time you have to get all of your studying in, so you don’t have to miss out on parties, picnics and other social events. So instead of hitting your snooze alarm in the morning, get up 30 minutes early to review your notes, or spend your lunch break eating and working on the transition resume you’ll need after making your career switch. Spend your time on the treadmill reading a study guide or doing flashcards instead of just listening to your Spotify playlist. By making the most of your time, you will be able to fit in more into your social calendar.

Get Creative with Your Social Time

Even during weeks when it feels like you can’t do anything but study, a little creativity can still help you hang out with your friends. Social time doesn’t have to mean going to bars, parties, shopping or going on day trips to the city. Getting together with your friends can be simple and can double as a part of your daily life or even as a study-session. Make your social calendar do double-duty by going for a run or taking a yoga class with your friends or having a meal together. Both things you probably would have done anyway. Also, suggest a movie night where you can study while watching a flick with your friends.

Get Rid of Your Distractions

Chances are there are tons of things you’re doing every day that suck up valuable study time. This could be constantly checking your Facebook or Twitter feed — or both — playing Flappy Bird, or mindlessly trolling the internet. All of these make you lose focus and take away from the time you could be spending hitting the books, leaving you less time for a social life. So when you find yourself wanting to reminisce about the 90’s on Buzzfeed or send a Snapchat, practice self-control and study instead.

Nobody ever said that going back to school and working full-time is easy. It takes up almost all of your energy and free time, making it hard to maintain friendships and your social life. However, by budgeting your time, becoming more efficient and getting rid of all distractions you will be able to do it all.

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