Most students undertake some kind of paid work while they study. At the Wellington School of Business of Government (WSBG) over 88 percent of our undergraduate and 90 percent of postgraduate students are working in either full- or part-time jobs. Postgraduate WSBG students are more likely to be working full time whilst studying with over 66 percent of our postgraduate students in full-time work. With all this wisdom in our community, we crowdsourced some tips from our students on how to balance your work and study.

1. Plan out your trimester

It’s important to plan out your trimester, noting any deadlines for assignments, and then adding in your work hours and any work-related deadlines. This will help you plan your time and enable you to work out any clashes with your manager ahead of time to ensure you can attend your lectures and tutorials, and complete your assignments on time.

Good time management is key for studying while working and there is support available from Student Learning to help you reach your goals at university.

2. Work with your manager and colleagues

Make sure that you chat to your manager about your study commitments. Depending on the type of work you’re doing, your employer may give you study time as part of your professional development. They may also allow you to attend lectures or study during some of your work days on a regular basis. Communicating your priorities and assuring your employer that you’re still committed to your role is important for building a solid working relationship. See our guide on Asking your employer for support for more helpful tips.

3. Consider outsourcing your life admin

Some postgraduate students told us that outsourcing took some of the stress out of finding a balance between work and study, with one saying a paying a cleaner was a game changer. If you are working full time while studying, and it is within your budget, consider outsourcing some things in your life that you are struggling to make time for.

4. Take care of yourself

Scheduling time for relaxing, where there is no pressure from work or study, is important for your wellbeing. Taking breaks is essential for your mental and physical health and will help you to maximise the time you do spend studying and working. Rest and sleep are essential for you to perform at your best, so even if you’re feeling overwhelmed, make sure you take some time out and you’ll reap the benefits.

5. Breathe deep – share your feelings

Know that it’s not forever! It really helps to remember you won’t be studying and working forever. In the not-too-distant future, your daily life will look very different. When things get tough, focus on the fact that things will change, and that you can get through it (and don’t forget to reach out for help with whatever challenges you are facing). Chat to your classmates—chances are they’re dealing with the same difficulties. Solidarity can help get you through!

6. Find a mentor

A number of students suggested finding a mentor who can provide you with a sounding board and offer insights into the challenges of working and studying and beyond. If you’re looking for a professional mentor, you might consider:

• asking within your personal and professional networks
• chatting to a lecturer and seeing if they can recommend anyone
• speaking to your employer
• joining the Alumni as Mentors programme which runs each year from March with the University’s Careers and Employment team. It’s a great way to connect with alumni working in areas you are interested and for expanding your network. Some students find a mentorship can lead to job opportunities also!