It is unquestionably a difficult task for a student of technology to strike a balance between academics and technology. You will need to meet work deadlines and attend meetings in addition to passing exams and keeping up with classes and assignments. Without extreme caution and discipline, either slacking or falling behind becomes a real possibility.
However, having a career in technology does not excuse poor grades, especially given that most jobs require at least a bachelor's degree. So, as a tech student, what advice and software can you use to balance work and school? Find out by reading on.
1. Create a Study Timetable With Study Planner
You can overcome the disorder and chaos of an unbalanced life by organizing your studies a bit. It is not in your best interest to choose when to study on the spot; Something will always appear to be more significant. However, if you have a study schedule, you will have time set aside for studying and completing assignments.
You could make a schedule by hand, but study planners are better. You can use the best study planning apps to automatically prioritize your reading based on the number of pages or terms in your notes, set reminders, and create personalized study timetables.
Egenda, for instance, adds courses, color-codes tasks, and tracks your tests and assignments. Chipper also lets you add homework and assignments, set study timers, and be notified when reminders are due.
2. Prioritize Critical Professional Responsibilities With Productivity Tools
Although multitasking is a great skill, sometimes doing too much at once can be more harmful than beneficial. In this way, consistently focus on your expectations with efficiency applications to try not to miss cutoff times since you have a torrential slide of errands ahead.
There are numerous productivity apps that can help you prioritize tasks at work based on your job requirements and responsibilities. Google Tasks, a fantastic Gmail-integrated to-do list app that lets you organize and date tasks in lists, is the simplest of these.
Trello, a customizable workflow management app that lets you add specific details and concepts, has more advanced features. It also lets you add other productivity apps and set automatic reminders to keep you on top of your work.
3. Avoid Procrastination and Distractions With Freedom
There have probably been days when you put off important tasks and didn't get much done, even though hours flew by. Sometimes, you get off to a good start but end up getting sidetracked and distracted.
On days like these, you probably can't seem to focus on work because you're on your phone. Thankfully, Freedom allows you to solve your issue immediately and avoid procrastination. The Freedom app does what?
When you need to work, this well-known productivity app prevents your device from accessing apps and websites that could be distracting. Make your block list, set the timer, and start working with the app. You can set your timer to start on its own or ahead of time.
Along these lines, instead of randomly looking at TikTok and Instagram for a really long time, you fabricate self-restraint and complete your undertakings fittingly.
4. Resist Taking on Excess Workload
Many people find it extremely difficult to decline additional employment for a variety of reasons. Fear of disappointing coworkers and colleagues is one factor for some. Others, especially understudies, really need the additional money and choose to stay at work longer than required.
The bonuses that come with taking on more work may look appealing, but keep in mind; You are a student with many academic responsibilities. Therefore, make sure you review your responsibilities at work and at school and never take on more than you can handle.
Again, apps for to-do lists are a great way to keep track of what's on your desk. Todoist is a good example of this because it shows you all of your tasks and subtasks in detail and gives you a general idea of what's to come.
5. Maximize Physical and Online Work and Community Support Systems
Working in technology as a student has many advantages, one of which is access to numerous communities. The majority of tech conglomerates offer student ambassador and learner programs, which are excellent ways to make friends who share your interests.
With someone by your side, life is easier; As a result, you'll get the support you need to strike a healthy balance from a friend who has been there. Google Developer Student Clubs and Microsoft Learn Student Ambassadors are two examples of these communities.
Online communities are just as important as real friendships, especially for getting immediate answers to questions and problems. For instance, Discord is an excellent tool for finding communities of individuals whose job roles and circumstances are comparable.
6. Reach Out to Mentors With a Similar Lifestyle on Social Media
It goes without saying that social media can be used for a lot more than just unwinding and catching up with friends. Additionally, it has been demonstrated to be an excellent method for establishing professional connections and a top platform for locating mentors.
LinkedIn and Twitter are the most widely used apps for professional networking, but each app has its own benefits. Find skilled people who are experts in your field and make an intentional effort to pique their interest.
A potential mentor's attention can be greatly enhanced by consistently liking their posts and providing insightful feedback. Additionally, although this requires establishing a fundamental connection, a bold, direct message does not hurt. However, you should never use "spam" or post a lot of comments on their walls; You don't want to be a bother on the internet.
7. Take Periodic Breaks to Relieve Stress
When you're stressed, you run the risk of breaking down, which could result in a number of health issues and scares. Because juggling school and a tech career will put a strain on your body and mind, you need to take breaks to avoid becoming exhausted.
In this case, the best treatment is good old-fashioned sleep, but you might not get enough of it every night. Fortunately, technology offers options that can help you unwind and relax after a long day of work before falling asleep.
An efficient strategy for utilizing technology to alleviate stress is to make use of apps like Calm, which combine audio stimulation with meditation. Additionally, maximizing and understanding your operating system's Focus modes can help you unwind and avoid being distracted.
Get the Best Out of Tech as a Student
It's hard to balance being a student and making steady progress in your tech career, which can sometimes feel impossible. However, software and tools that make your life easier and more seamless are always there to save the day thanks to technology. You can have the best of both worlds with the tools above, a working system, and the right support around you.
