For some, college may be challenging. Working full time and going to school makes it harder for some. It may be possible to learn how to go to school and work full-time. For some, it is a financial necessity. These 10 tips may help you manage working full time and going to school. (And for resume advice and tips for landing a job, check out our “Internships, Jobs, and Careers” section.) Can You Work Full Time and Go to College? If you learn how to manage school and work, it may be possible to know how to go to school and work full-time at the same time. Those who do so may need to be organized and may need great time management skills. Students may also benefit from a more flexible job that allows them to do both. How to Manage School and Work? To learn how to go to school and work full-time, consider how you would arrange each day to allow for both tasks. It may also be important to consider extracurriculars and socializing, which may be a big part of your time at college. So can you work full time and go to college? To answer that honestly, consider a few tips and strategies that may help you. #1: Classes Are Always a Priority First tip on how to go to school and work full-time is prioritize your classes. Work out your school schedule first if working while in college. You may be able to schedule work around your classes, but it is often more difficult to schedule classes around work. For many students, a degree program is more important than a temporary job. How do you make classes a priority at college? Make sure to recognize the value that your classes may bring to you. If you hope to work in a specific field, you may need that degree program more than anything else. Recognize that when choosing between the two. You may have opportunities to take on more hours. Before you do, consider how to use your time to better your education or future goals. #2: Stay Organized Use your phone’s calendar app or Google Calendar to remind you of important events like classes and changing work shifts. Don’t leave it up to your memory alone because life in college is too hectic to remember everything. Other apps may help you do this as well. How do you stay organized at college? Be sure to include things like papers and study group time. If you struggle with organization, consider using a voice assistance app on your phone to create reminders. Set aside an hour each week to organize your schedule for the week to come. These tips may help you to stay organized. #3: Participate in Work Study If possible Work-study jobs are usually on campus and could be scheduled around your classes. Some students may acquire a job in their department. Sometimes, this may count toward your degree program. Apply for work-study when you fill out the FAFSA and talk to your school’s financial aid department about your options. This may help you to get the max out of your time working at school. #4: Make Sure Your Employer Knows Your Availability As soon as you know your class schedule, let your boss know what your availability is. Give them a copy of your schedule, if you like, and make sure they understand the times of day you are not available. The sooner you let your employer know, the more likely they are able to accommodate your scheduling needs. Be sure to keep your employer up to date on finals and other times you need off for studying, group activities, or projects. #5: Do Homework at Work Sometimes it may be possible to do some of your homework while you are at work. This may be an option if your employer allows it, and there is free time to use like this. Some jobs that may allow for this more than others include working as a bookstore clerk or being a nanny. If you want to do this, be sure to seek out a job that may make it more likely for you. Be sure to ask your employer about this, though. You do not want trouble for not completing work tasks. #6: Ask for Finals Week Off Early If you have a project, paper, or finals coming up, give yourself the extra time either to study or just to have a little free time to relax and clear your head. Be open with your employer at the time of your hire about the need for this type of break, especially during the end of the semester. Be sure they understand that you may need to take time off in full or reduce your scheduled availability significantly while you work on your educational goals. Ask yourself if you need more time at finals to focus on your education. You know the way you learn. It may also be helpful to approach professors to have a better idea of end-of-the-year or semester requirements. Some professors may pack a lot of work into the last few weeks of the course, not just one week. That may mean you need more time off. #7: Avoid Overloading Yourself Pick-up shifts may be a great thing if you need some extra cash, but don’t take on too much at once. You could burn out fast. School is hard all by itself for many, and working demands your time and attention as well. Don’t put a strain on yourself, or both areas may suffer. If you start to feel a bit overwhelmed with your education or workload, take some time away from work to refocus. Remember, the end goal is not often to work at the job but to pursue a career in a field that interests you. #8: Don’t Work Between Classes Working full time in college is often difficult. Either work before your first class or after your last class whenever possible. Leave a significant buffer of time in between. That way, if class or work runs late, it does not impact the other. Use the time between your classes to study or to sit and chat with a friend. This may help you to have the mental health break you need, too. #9: Dress for Success Just in case you have to run from work to class or the other way around, dress in clothes that are both comfortable and work appropriate. Master the business casual look now. It could be important to you later in life, too. If you are unsure if that is possible due to dress codes or requirements, keep items in your car or in a bag with you. That helps to save a bit of time from having to dash to the dorm or your off campus housing. #10: Make Time for You College is a once-in-a-lifetime experience. Aside from being a working student, give yourself time to make memories and enjoy yourself. It’s not your job or classes you may remember, it’s the people you meet and things you do along the way. Now that you know how to handle your business use our job and internship search to find your grind.