As August rolls around, students both young and old are gearing up for their return to the classroom. School supplies have been purchased, pencils have been sharpened, and the first day outfits have been picked out. If, however, you’re a working professional it may have been years, or even decades, since you last thought about setting foot inside a classroom. But many full-time and part-time employees are doing just that this season.
On average, more than two-thirds of American students in 2022 seeking higher education were employed either full-time or part-time while pursuing degrees, according to the National Center for Education Statistics. And as of 2024, the Gallup State of Higher Education Report found that there’s an increased interest in seeking higher education amongst working adults—59% of adults have considered enrolling in additional education over the past two years, an increase of 15% over 2021. Participants in that survey cited improved career prospects including raises, promotions, or more fulfilling roles, as top reasons for further education.
If you’re one of the many workers considering going back to school this fall, you may be stressing about hitting the books while keeping up with your work performance. While it may be difficult at times, all your hard work will be worth it when you receive your diploma. In the meantime, here are our top four tips on how to excel in balancing school and your job.
Seek Support
You may have heard the adage “it takes a village” when it comes to raising children, but seeking support can easily apply to many other aspects of life, including work and school. While seeking higher education, you don’t have to do it alone; there are plenty of avenues to get help so you can succeed in both your career and in the classroom.
Higher education these days can be expensive and cost-prohibitive in many cases. Fortunately, some companies have tuition reimbursement options that can help you cover some or even all of the cost of your education. Find out from your Human Resources department what the options are for tuition assistance and see if you can take advantage of them to help ease the financial strain.
Next, you should plan to talk to your manager or supervisor about your education plans. Let them know if your work schedule needs to change, or if you need help completing projects on time while juggling your schoolwork. Chances are that your supervisor will provide you with some accommodations so you can achieve both workplace and academic success.
Finally, your university or college may have assigned you an academic advisor. Stop by their office hours or email them to see if they have any tips or strategies that can help you with your coursework while keeping up with your workload. In lieu of an advisor, keeping your instructors informed of what’s going on at work can also help ease the strain of assignment deadlines. Many instructors are open to being flexible with assignments if you let them know ahead of time about your other time commitments.
Consider Logistics
Before you even set foot in the classroom or log on for class, you should consider your existing schedule and check out your options for both school and work. Many universities offer online versions of their degree programs that are tailored to fit into working professionals’ schedules You may find it easier to do classwork on your schedule, rather than trying to fit in-person classes into your existing workload. In lieu of online courses, night classes may also be an option.
If you can’t get around in-person instruction, you may want to consider how you can best split your time between work and school to be successful at both. Do you take fewer classes per term, so you don’t have to reduce hours at work? Do you drop down to a part-time position while you take a fuller course load to finish your degree faster? Consider what may work best for your individual degree, industry, and situation, and schedule your classes accordingly.
Become a Time Management Master
Regardless of how you choose to schedule your classes around your time in the office, chances are you’ll be busier than ever when you go back to school. Effective time management is the key to staying on top of your work, class projects, homework, and personal obligations while avoiding burnout and reaching your academic and professional goals.
Every student’s best friend is a planner, so you may want to invest in a good one and be sure to write out your tasks and obligations every day. If digital tools are more your speed, try calendar apps, digital planners, or other methods of keeping track of assignments, work projects, and meetings. You can also manage your time effectively with strategies like time blocking or task batching, utilizing your calendar to your advantage to get things done.
Finally, the importance of a clean, distraction-free workspace cannot be understated. Put your phone on Do Not Disturb when you’re concentrating on homework, keep your desk free of clutter and distractions, and set aside specific times for when you can and cannot answer work emails. Both your work projects and your schoolwork will be better for it.
Make Time for Self-Care
Finally, don’t forget to take time for yourself! Going back to school can be stressful, and in an effort to manage your time effectively, you may be tempted to skimp on self-care in order to get things done. Don’t! You can’t write the best essay or deliver the best presentation at work when you’re stressed out and tired, so taking time to slow down and rejuvenate yourself is vital.
Make it a point to see your friends and family, even if it’s just to grab lunch between classes or catch up on a coffee break at work. When you’re done with studying for the day, indulge in your hobbies, catch up on your favorite shows, or do other activities that inspire or relax you to keep from feeling stressed and burned out. And while it may be tempting to order fast food for the fifth night in a row while you’re up late cramming for a midterm, keeping up with proper nutrition and getting enough sleep each night is imperative so you can perform your best at work and ace your final exam.
Achieve Greatness With LCS
At LCS, we value our employees’ academic and professional pursuits. That’s why we partner with local universities to provide tuition assistance for employees seeking further education and invest in professional development opportunities and continued training. If you’re looking for a company that will help you achieve your professional goals, take a look at our open positions and consider joining our team today.
