As an ambitious student and professional, you have big plans — and plenty of drive to help you reach your goals. yet there are only so many hours in the day, and even with exceptional time management, you may struggle to keep all those assignments and workplace responsibilities straight.
You don't necessarily need to abandon your goals or even scale back your commitments; many students successfully navigate school and work at the same time, after all, and there are certainly advantages to accomplishing this, like expedited professional growth through accelerated online programs and even the chance to promptly apply college-based insights in the workforce.
The secret to success could entail attending classes online. This grants you greater control over your academic experience and may free up some time for personal pursuits. That being said, online learning can present challenges of its own.
Committing to online coursework can provide a strong start in your quest for work-life-school balance, but this is only the beginning. Below, we describe several asynchronous learning strategies that support balance, plus helpful suggestions that promote stress management for students.
By nature, the online experience may seem more balanced than other approaches to attending college. Online students need not spend valuable time commuting and, with asynchronous setups, may not even need to commit to specific class times.
However, this very freedom could potentially make balance feel even more elusive, as it can be tempting to continue exploring online materials long after you begin to feel tired or overwhelmed. The result? Diminishing returns and a greater potential for burnout. By prioritizing work-life-school balance, you can sharpen your focus and protect your emotional energy, ensuring that your college pursuits are not only useful but also downright enjoyable.
All students can benefit from balance, which fosters strong emotional well-being and can prevent burnout. With adult students, though, the effort to cultivate balance must be uniquely intentional.
After all, adult students often experience major demands on their time, including complex workplace obligations alongside tasks like caregiving or the challenges of homeownership. All this packs their schedules as well as limits their capacity for added stress, with only so much emotional energy available. Add extra financial commitments to the mix, and it's easy to see why adult students are seeking programs that accommodate their unique needs or concerns.
True balance can look drastically different from one student to the next and may also play out differently in various stages of life. For the parent juggling work and school, this might mean spending more quality time with children — truly being present instead of feeling stressed or distracted by lurking assignments or deadlines. For the professional in a high-demand field, balance may simply mean finding enough time for sleep and other basic wellness activities.
Despite these differences, a balanced lifestyle promotes many shared outcomes: improved mental health and a reduced potential for burnout, along with increased focus to promote better retention. These benefits can coalesce to form a rewarding and impactful college experience that continues to prove valuable far into the future.
The journey to a balanced lifestyle always begins with planning. This means recognizing why balance matters and determining which strategies are more likely to enable a balanced lifestyle. These insights can then support strategic scheduling, bringing a more proactive approach to navigating each term or semester.
A goal-driven approach will deliver not only powerful motivation but also a practical tool for prioritizing. In work and in education, all goals should be SMART: specific, measurable, achievable, relevant, and time-bound. This approach promotes clearly defined goals and outcomes, forming a critical benchmark to shape everyday decision-making.
While each week will look a bit different based on new projects or anticipated deadlines, a basic routine or rhythm can set the stage for confident learning and workplace productivity. Time blocking brings structure to this effort, with specific segments of time (aka blocks) treated like appointments and allocated toward specific activities.
For instance, a block could be dedicated to studying economics, followed by a time block for remote work and another for physical activity. A study schedule template can provide a strong start, potentially modeled off of the beloved Pomodoro study method: half an hour dedicated to academic pursuits, followed by a five-minute break )and repeat as needed).
Asynchronous learning introduces enhanced flexibility to the already-accessible online learning experience. Under this setup, course materials and learning experiences can be accessed according to each student's unique schedule or preferences.
This makes it easier to fit coursework around existing commitments — but with some caveats. Without the added accountability of a scheduled session, some students may struggle to fully commit, while others may find it difficult to set aside time for self-care.
Some students also worry about connecting virtually, but today's advanced platforms support immersive experiences and close-knit communities if you make the most of these unique opportunities. These suggestions should help:
Lectures are often a key source of challenge for online students, who may struggle to maintain focus outside of a conventional classroom setting. This problem may be alleviated to a significant extent by choosing programs that prioritize active and immersive learning rather than passive experiences.
Still, lectures remain an important strategy for conveying critical concepts or sharing personal experiences that relate to key areas of study. Thankfully, asynchronous learning provides greater opportunities to direct these experiences, allowing you to pause or revisit content as needed.
Class discussions provide some of the most insightful experiences in the entire college journey. This is a great way to learn from other students' experiences as well as put soft skills like communication and emotional intelligence into action.
Virtual discussions can be just as enriching as their in-person counterparts, but this calls for a more active and purposeful approach. To participate effectively, prepare thoroughly with requested readings or other activities, and thoughtfully consider (and respond to) contributions from other students.
Does your social circle actively support you in your academic and professional pursuits — or do they unintentionally hold you back? This could take numerous forms: making excessive demands on your limited time, for example, or failing to provide the emotional support and validation you desire.
While you don't have complete control over how your friends, family members, or colleagues respond, you can clarify that online learning is important to you and requires a significant commitment.
Because coursework can, in some cases, compete with time available for professional pursuits, it is imperative to provide a heads-up to your employer. If coursework is closely tied to professional priorities, however, employer buy-in is likely. Be upfront about potential demands on your schedule, and be willing to make accommodations where necessary to ensure that your work performance remains satisfactory.
Family alignment is just as essential. This means letting partners, children, or other family members in on your schedule; for example, clarify the aforementioned study blocks along with significant deadlines or exam periods that may further extend your commitment to schooling.
The right study space can set you up for success. This area will limit distractions so that you can avoid wasting precious time scrolling social media or getting sidetracked by other items on your to-do list.
If possible, designate a room or corner for studying by setting up a desk, an ergonomic chair, and quality lighting. Another critical element of a quality study space setup entails establishing clear boundaries to prevent loved ones or roommates from interrupting study sessions.
Finding work-life-school balance can seem like a tall order, but remember: You are not on your own in this effort. Indiana Wesleyan University offers various resources that can contribute to a balanced lifestyle. These services are readily available to a wide range of students, including online learners.
At IWU, we strive for a holistic approach, addressing the concerns that can limit balance or impede academic success. We offer numerous financial aid options, along with several other services that appeal to online students.
At times, certain class concepts may be difficult to understand beyond what self-study methods may offer. Sometimes, it's more helpful to work with a tutor, who can bring clarity and fuel greater academic confidence. Additionally, academic advising delivers the ultimate roadmap to success, promoting adherence to degree requirements alongside consistent academic progress.
Other situations call for technology support, which may be particularly necessary when dependent on advanced learning platforms. At times, computer connectivity issues or other glitches may impede access to study materials or learning experiences, but robust tech support can ensure a quick resolution.
Coaching services move beyond specific academic concepts, often by exploring educational pursuits and job-searching efforts in the context of long-term career goals. This can provide greater clarity, revealing the why behind online education. This knowledge can prove wonderfully motivational, especially when challenges strike mid-semester. Student success coaching dives into the numerous elements that drive positive outcomes in the academic world and professional pursuits, offering suggestions surrounding time management, study skills, career planning, and more.
Strategically allocating your time and effort is important, but how you study may prove far more influential than when you study or how much time you dedicate to hitting the books. Strive to make the most of every minute so you can set aside more time for workplace priorities and, of course, your personal life.
Today's productivity systems can help streamline your learning journey, but not all are built equal, as some may be more appealing to certain students based on specific learning styles or scheduling challenges. When in doubt, opt for simplified tools, digital calendars, note-taking apps, or strategies that are easy to implement and follow.
Collaborative efforts can drive enhanced learning outcomes while helping you develop in-demand soft skills. These projects can be difficult to coordinate, however, especially if your schedule is already packed with professional pursuits.
Begin by clarifying group members' contributions, delegating according to individual strengths or interests. Continue to check in, using digital tools to ensure everyone remains in the loop. This is not limited to projects, either; an accountability partner study session can make exam prep feel less overwhelming.
Stress is an undeniable byproduct of blending work and college. That being said, it can be managed not only through careful planning and the regular use of college resources but also by committing to self-care routines that encourage rest, relaxation, and boundary-setting.
It is difficult to overstate the importance of stress management for students. The goal is finding moments of calm, in which you can gain much-needed clarity. This could encompass breathing techniques for focus — box breathing is a top option — as well as meditation, yoga, or other meaningful pursuits.
Self-care is not just massages or bubble baths (although these can certainly be relaxing). The most impactful elements of self-care come down to personal advocacy: making it clear what you can and cannot handle, then holding firm to established priorities.
Online learners may take pride in their independence, but academic challenges are not meant to be shouldered alone. When you speak up, assistance is well within reach. This means understanding which resources are available — and being willing to actually use them when needed.
For example, if mental health challenges arise, make the most of counseling services. If you find yourself feeling frustrated after dedicating long hours to studying specific concepts, ask tutors for help.
Although student services can certainly prove helpful, at times, employers, colleagues, or loved ones may provide even better support. For instance, you may temporarily need to hold off on pursuing certain workplace projects or responsibilities. If you are transparent about this, you can find ways to share workloads or gain added encouragement. Simply knowing that others have your back can make a world of difference.
Many online students pursue accelerated programs that condense coursework into just one or two years. This can be an optimal way to gain momentum and make swift progress toward both educational and professional goals. However, this calls for planning and time management above and beyond what is required under a conventional timeline.
Whether you opt for an accelerated program or a slightly slower pace of learning, you can expect academic challenges to take a step up as midterm exams and finals approach. This is where previous, goal-driven study sessions will begin to pay off. Instead of cramming, you can take confidence in knowing that you've already covered critical areas and simply need to review previously covered material. Still, you can expect a busy schedule in the lead-up to major exams.
Plan ahead for extra study sessions, or be prepared to commit additional time to complete various projects or written assignments. Continue to take advantage of available resources. For example, if you're struggling to recall previously covered concepts, extra tutoring sessions may be in order.
As a busy online student, you can expect the occasional conflict between work, school, and family life. Contingency planning helps you feel in control, ensuring that, no matter which situations arise, you can remain on track. This involves considering various worst-case scenarios and determining how you might respond (e.g., identifying backup childcare options — or determining whether faculty members might be willing to accommodate extensions to reflect unexpected conflicts).
Do you crave a balanced approach to learning and professional development? Look to IWU for support. Offering flexible online programs and holistic student services, we're here to support you as you pursue meaningful academic goals.
Ready to take the next step? Learn more about our online transfer opportunities, our international pathways, and other options for building balanced learning into your lifestyle. We are upfront about financial aid and the cost of attendance, and we can help you understand what it takes to succeed as an online student. Feel free to apply for our on-campus or online programs today!
