The Challenges & Thrills of Full Time Work While Studying

A work-life balance can be a continuous struggle for those who work and study full time, but by approaching it as a more work-study-life balance, you can make it work for you.

What are the benefits of working full time whilst studying an online course?

Whether your motivation is to expand your knowledge of a specific topic, to upskill yourself in your current career or to prepare yourself for a career change, working full time while studying can be challenging, but it can also bring you significant rewards.

• Time

Studying while working full time allows you to finish your education at a pace which suits you. It gives you the flexibility to fit your studies around other parts of your life, such as childcare. 

• Location

The flexibility of an online course means you don’t need to relocate to get the qualification you want. You can choose where and when you study, at home, on your commute, your studying can fit around your busy lifestyle.

• Career

Whatever your reason for deciding to study while you’re working, it can have undeniable benefits to your career. You will still receive a full time income, can ensure there are no gaps of time in your CV and your commitment to both your work and studies will be recognised by your current, and potential, employers. 

Studying while working will develop the skills and thinking power for promotion opportunities, your suitability for more job roles and increase your chances of a job offer.

What are the challenges of working full time while studying online?

Juggling an online course while working full time can bring considerable benefits, but it’s not without its challenges. 

• Time

Studying alongside working makes it more likely that it will take longer for you to finish your qualification. When you have deadlines and schedules to stick to, both at work and as part of your course, it can be difficult to keep track of everything at once.

• Support

When studying online, you’ll be working remotely. This means that there’s no experience of a student community like you would have if you went to a local college or university.

• Difficult to maintain motivation

Maintaining a work-life balance can be more difficult when you throw studying into the mix. There will be more distractions and a high demand for constant energy and concentration.

How to handle the challenges you might face

However, if you weren’t up for a challenge, you wouldn’t be thinking about studying while you already have a job. So, what can you do to take control of the challenges you may come across along the way? 

• Set yourself realistic deadlines which you know you can achieve
• Ask friends and family to help you to stick them
• Use calendars and to-do lists to help you to keep track of tasks and deadlines for work and study
• Ask for advice and support from MOL’s Learner Support Network. 

It’s also important to take time to rest, relax and look after yourself so that you can continue to work and study full time at the optimum rate. Eat sensible, exercise and spend time outdoors to keep your body healthy.  

At MOL, we have developed courses which have been designed for those who are already in work. Our courses combine self-study workbooks with online resources and the opportunity to learn from experts through our Learner Support Network, giving you the best chance to have a healthy work-study-life balance. Our webinar about achieving a work-life balance can provide you with some useful tips. 

If you’d like to find out more about our online courses our team are more than happy to help. You can call one of our Programme Advisors or email enquiries@mollearn.com