3 Steps to Achieve Work-School Balance

By Danielle Cortijo

Congratulations, you’ve taken the first step in one of life’s major balancing acts called pursuing an academic degree, all while being an active full-time employee! You’ve earned this moment of celebration by simply making the decision to participate in this major undertaking for your future. It won’t necessarily be an easy one, but some would say that nothing worth having should be. The implication is that the struggle helps you to appreciate the journey and the result that much more. The reward of finally completing that final exam—turning in the last paper and receiving your coveted degree—will be the ultimate prize.

But remember, success requires balance. This is the voyage of the avid professional’s daily work life. The one-to-four year mission to seek out new degrees and new ways to handle it all…To boldly juggle responsibilities like no one has juggled before!

Speaking from my own past and current experience, discovering how best to squeeze it all in has been nothing short of some of my most challenging moments in life. If you’re someone who is constantly trying to outdo themselves academically like me, you may relate to my past and present battle of having a full-time commitment to work, all while maintaining a heavy school load and even higher GPA.

As we speak, I am an eager Analyst by day and a relentless graduate student completing her degree in medicine by nights and weekends. Sound daunting? Well, it doesn’t have to be—not completely. Achieving success is definitely doable and I’m here to share some tips on how to do just that!

1. Support Team on deck: I can’t stress enough how important this particular factor can become for anyone pursuing their degree while working full time and doing their best to maintain some semblance of a regular life. It’s a challenge and sometimes you just might need a soft place to land. That can come in the form of support from incredible friends or family who understand who and where you are in life and help you to return to center. Don’t be afraid to lean on whoever you’ve chosen. You’ll be all the better for it.
2. Scheduling is a MUST: It is so, so important to create a schedule for yourself that will allow you to keep track of everything you have on your plate. More importantly, it will force you to always be aware of assignment deadlines for both work and school. Find what works for you. Are you the weekend warrior, someone who can get it all done in 2.5 days? Or are you the all week guru, someone who needs to complete little by little after work during the week with a finale weekend? Whatever your preference and best tactics, be sure to put a schedule in place that works and helps you be the best school and work balancing champion you can be.
3. Disconnect, Disconnect, DISCONNECT: This may sound like the opposite of what one would want or should do, but honestly, it is utterly necessary. You will need time to concentrate and focus on your work when it’s company time and school when it’s education central. At the end of the day, all stops begin and end with you when it comes to your final product. Your tasks at work carry an equal amount of importance as do your assignments for school. So, do yourself the biggest favor and let it be known that disconnect time is in full effect. You aren’t being selfish. This isn’t you ignoring life. Try to see it as you giving back to yourself by providing adequate time to achieve your dreams. Trust me, your GPA and daily work will thank you for it.

These steps can be the very things that preserve your sanity and help you to maintain both your stellar professional face and academic prowess. It’s true that we are perfectly imperfect creatures, but doing all you can to shine in all areas of your world can feel extremely overwhelming if the planning and consistency in the rituals you establish aren’t properly maintained.

It is indeed possible to successfully balance your work, home, and academic life all in one. Try not to let the stressful moments get you down. Create your own work and academic rhythm and achievement will follow! It can be done—I am living proof.

About the Author: With a Bachelor’s in Communications and actively pursuing her Master’s in Complementary Alternative Medicine, Dani has an extensive professional background in the public and private sectors focused in Contracts, Human Resources, QA, and Process. Currently the Procurement Specialist on the amazing Administrative team for KAI Partners, she is working diligently to assist in the successful acquisition of procurements for the company. When her world slows down a bit, she loves scouring for an incredible deal on retro sneakers with her partner in crime, listening to music 24/7, and laughing as much as humanly possible.