Tips for Successfully Juggling Work and Studies

Finding the balance between work and studies can be very challenging. It requires a high level of dedication, discipline and focus. As a matter of fact, both are important, hence the need to juggle them effectively. Here are some tips to help you cope.

 

Make a Schedule: You need to develop a detailed schedule. This should include all your classes, work hours, study time, and personal commitments. Use available digital planning tools or even a good old notebook, diary or calendar. These will help you to stay organised and allow you to prioritise work.

Regularly Communicate with Your Employers and Lecturers: Let your employers and lecturers know you have commitments in both work and study. Maintaining clear communication can lead to flexibility and understanding. Which may lead to potential accommodations when necessary.

Stay Away from Procrastination: Pushing off tasks for later can be a setback to your success; in both work and university. This is because you will likely have a work overload when catching up with tasks you could have done earlier. Try to stay disciplined and focused on your work. This will help to prevent last-minute panics.

Set Realistic Goals: It's good practice to always set achievable short-term and long-term goals. These can be for work, university or any other things you are involved in. Break down your goals into smaller tasks and action points. This makes them more manageable and less overwhelming, allowing you to see progress.

Utilise Your Time Efficiently: Aim to maximise your productivity by using some of your downtime at work or during breaks to study or review some of your course material. You can definitely do with using your commuting time on long train journeys by listening to educational podcasts or reading up on your course materials.

Limit Work Hours if Possible: Consider reducing your working hours during peak academic periods. This can be during periods such as exam weeks or when major assignments are due. Time off would allow you time to concentrate on reading and prepare you for academic success.

Find Work-Study Balance: Create a healthy balance between your work and studies. Think hard before taking on those extra work assignments, especially if you have equally demanding studies. Taking on too much work might hurt your academic results.

Make Use of Campus Resources: Take advantage of resources offered by your university. Tutoring, study groups, and academic counselling can help manage your coursework and school assignments effectively.

Practice Self-Care: There is no doubt that balancing work and studies is sometimes overwhelming and, on some occasions, can become stressful. It's crucial to take care of your physical and mental well-being. Get enough rest, exercise regularly, and make time for activities you enjoy.

Be Flexible and Adaptable: Working and studying requires a lot of flexibility. Some unexpected challenges may arise when you least expect it, and you may need to adjust your schedule. Flexibility and adaptability will help you handle these situations with less stress.

Consider Online Classes: If your work schedule is rigid, explore the possibility of taking some online courses. These offer flexibility in managing your work and study time.

It’s important to note that successfully juggling work and studies requires patience and perseverance. Acknowledge and celebrate your accomplishments, and try not to be too hard on yourself if things get tough. With dedication and time, you can achieve your goals in both areas.

 

Looking for Student Accommodation? Unihousing Can Help!

 

Here at Unihousing, we have some of the best properties all around Selly Oak with varying prices and sizes depending on whether you want solo or shared living.

 

Unihousing is a student accommodation provider near the University of Birmingham, operating since 1984. All of our accommodation in Selly Oak is owned by us, so we can respond quickly to any requests using our qualified team of tradesmen. Our property office is located on Bristol Road, only a short walk away from all of our accommodations. This means we can deal directly with our tenants.

 

Unhousing was selected as the Number 1 Student Letting Agent in Birmingham by the UK's biggest fresher community, Unifresher.

 

Contact Unihousing today to find out more!

Tips To Building Meaningful Friendships While At University

Tips To Building Meaningful Friendships

While At University

Making friends can be a rewarding and enjoyable experience, and although it may come naturally to some people, for others it might require a bit of effort to make and keep friends. Here are a few tips which we feel might help you build and keep meaningful friendships during your time at the university.

Be Yourself: Authenticity is crucial when making friends. Don't try to be someone you're not, as genuine connections are built on honesty.

Exercise Patience and Persistence: Building lasting friendships might sometimes take longer than you anticipate. Be patient and don't get discouraged if you don't make close friends immediately. Keep being yourself and eventually, the connections will naturally form.

 Be Open and Approachable: For whenever possible, try to keep your smile, maintain good body language, and be generally open to meeting new people. When you are approachable, it helps people feel comfortable initiating conversations with you, which in turn can lead to building meaningful relationships.

Attend your University Orientation Events: Universities usually organize orientation events which are an avenue for new students to meet and get to know each other and also make friends.  Take advantage of these events as they are designed for people to interact and get to know their way around university life.

Introduce Yourself: You should not be afraid to introduce yourself to people you meet in classes, on campus, or at events. Learn to initiate conversation. Something as simple as introducing yourself and starting a conversation can go a long way. 

Utilize Social Media Platforms: You can connect with classmates and other students through social media. This can help you stay updated on any local events, socials, and shared interests. This generally helps you get to know people better outside of class too.

Join Clubs and Organisations That Interest You: The majority of universities have a wide range of clubs and organizations that cover various interests, hobbies, and academic fields. Find those that suit your liking and become a part of them. It is from groups like these that you will have an opportunity to connect with like-minded individuals, some of whom will usually end up becoming your friends.

Have Respect for Diversity: Universities will often have a diverse community with people from various backgrounds and cultures. Embrace this diversity, and be respectful and open-minded.

Participate in Group Activities: Try as much as possible to engage in group activities such as study groups, sports, or volunteering. These activities provide excellent opportunities to bond with others over shared interests.

Be a Good Listener: When engaging in conversations, show genuine interest in what others have to say. Do not be the one who always wants to be listened to. Being a good listener is key to building strong connections with others.

Don’t Be Afraid to Invite Others to Hang Out: If you've met someone you click with, don't hesitate to invite them to grab a coffee, study together, or join you in other activities.

Stay Positive: Do not be the friend that is known to always be complaining, negative and bitter all the time. Always try and maintain a positive attitude. This will usually attract people and make you more enjoyable to be around.

Just remember that making friends is a gradual process, and not every interaction will result in a deep friendship. Keep an open mind, and you'll find your circle of friends growing over time. Also, don't forget to balance socializing with academic responsibilities to ensure a successful university experience overall.

Looking for Student Accommodation? Unihousing Can Help!

Unihousing is a student accommodation provider near the University of Birmingham, operating since 1984. All of our accommodation in Selly Oak is owned by us, so we can respond quickly to any requests using our qualified team of tradesmen. Our property office is located on Bristol Road, only a short walk away from all of our accommodation. This means we can deal directly with our tenants.

Unihousing was selected as the Number 1 Student Letting Agent in Birmingham by the UK's biggest fresher community, Unifresher.

Contact Unihousing today to find out more!