How to balance studying and working full-time

Studying and working full-time can be the ideal way to achieve your goals while maintaining a steady income. It can be demanding, but with careful management and a determined, positive mindset, you can gain the qualifications you need for success. Working full-time and studying part-time for an MBA course or Master's degree is something that many people do, and you can too. Read on to find out about how you can plan for success, establish a routine that works for you, and find ways to ensure that you remain calm and grounded throughout your studies.

Here at Warwick Business School, we give you the opportunity to study part-time while you continue full-time work. We have a wide range of courses so that you can opt for what suits you and your goals best. We deliver teaching and learning that is renowned across the globe so that you can gain the knowledge and experience that will propel you into a successful business career. Take a look at our range of MBA Courses and Master's Degrees in Business, Finance and Management to find out more about how you can fit learning into your work life.

Tips for studying and working full-time

Plan your workload effectively

Working full-time and studying requires being well organised and planning ahead. We help support you in this by ensuring that you have your timetable in advance. This will incorporate all the lectures and seminars you should attend plus deadlines for any coursework you need to complete. Use your calendar to map out your classes, assignments, work and any other commitments you have, such as those with family or friends.

Create a routine

To succeed at studying a part-time Masters while working full-time, formulating a routine is essential. Rather than trying to fit in your learning on an ad-hoc basis, you should designate specific times and days that are solely for educational purposes. Make a point of maintaining this routine. This will mean that you complete all your studies in a timely manner and don’t become overwhelmed. Instead, you’ll gain a sense of achievement at the completion of each week having managed your studies and full-time work.

Executive MBA student Rachael Newbold explains how she manages to maintain a routine that incorporates a good work-life balance while achieving her goals: 

“I set myself mini deadlines and try to be as effective as possible during the time I am studying, often building it into my working day, as I have prioritised family time in the evening and weekends. I have found that completing the assignment (or at least starting it!) as soon as possible after the module teaching is finished has always led to me achieving better grades than those I’ve left languishing, as it has meant the lecture discussions are fresh in my mind and I can explore wider research if required.”

Use your annual leave wisely

Managing your time effectively is vital when you are studying and working full-time. Calculate how much annual leave you have available and use it as a tool to help you manage your studies. Take a look at your university timetable and book time off when you have deadlines for your assignments. You should also try to book leave in the run-up to exams, to give you extra time to study and focus entirely on your course without the distraction of work. This will help to maximise your chances of success.

Keep a dedicated space for work and another for study

Creating physical space between your studies and full-time work can be very helpful in allowing you to give your all to both activities. If you work away from home, set up a specific study area in your home that is equipped with everything you need to focus on your education. If your full-time work is done remotely, consider creating an additional space that is solely dedicated to your studies. If this is not possible, plan to make use of study rooms at university, libraries or other quiet spaces that you can easily access. The aim here is to ensure that each area is associated only with the task(s) at hand so that you can organise your work effectively and focus without distraction.

MSc Business & Finance student Edward Huang discusses how university study areas have been very helpful in keeping him focused:

“Warwick Business School provides many study spots that are quiet, comfortable, and free from distractions. I enjoy using both the Postgraduate lounge and study space when working on assignments with my peers, and quieter places across campus such as the Library, Faculty of Arts building or Postgrad Hub for solo study.”

Take advantage of online resources

There are many distance learning courses such as Warwick Business School’s Global Online MBA that can make it much easier to balance working full-time and studying part-time. It’s also a good idea to take the time to learn about and make use of online resources such as digital libraries and online lectures or seminars. These types of resources can allow you to slot your studies into your working day in a convenient and accessible manner. Having access to online information and learning day and night, seven days a week, makes managing your time and workload much easier.

Maintain open communication with your employer

It’s a good idea to explain your plans to study with your employer. This could mean that you are given extra support in achieving your goals. Ask about whether there are options for more flexible working and/or what changes can be made to help you continue to do your job well while completing your MBA. Ask about how your work schedule can be amended to fit your studies. It’s also important to ensure that you maintain your usual high standards when it comes to work projects while adhering to course-related deadlines. Be sure to let your employer know well in advance about any times when you cannot work or will need to reduce your workload – for example, when you have exams.

Set realistic goals

Setting achievable goals is important if you’re studying and working full-time. Trying to do too much at once or squeeze a raft of work into a short time period can lead to burnout and failing to meet deadlines. Be realistic about what you can do in the time you have, and space out your studies over the course of each week and month to keep everything manageable. You should also be prepared for your routine to evolve over time and allow for flexibility to respond to challenges.

Take regular breaks

Studying for long periods of time is not necessarily the best way to learn. You’re more likely to become overwhelmed and struggle to retain information if you’re not giving yourself time to recharge. Taking regular breaks means that you will be better able to cope with the demands of your course and time spent learning will be more effective. Schedule breaks into your timetable as well as your study and work time, so that you have a routine of giving yourself time out. Consider the Pomodoro technique, which involves studying for 25 minutes and then taking a five-minute break before continuing. This can help you to remain focused and get your best work done.

Find time to socialise with family and friends

Continuing to enjoy time with your family and friends is important when you’re working full-time and studying. It allows you to feel better mentally and to return to your studies and job with enthusiasm. You can also gain encouragement and support from your loved ones, which can be helpful in keeping you motivated. Finding a way to balance your personal life and work and study means that you’ll enjoy greater wellbeing and will increase your chances of getting excellent results in both areas.

Danielle Taylor explains how having time for leisure and pastimes allowed her to be a better student on one of our Executive Education courses:

“No matter how busy you are, make time for good quality downtime. It can’t be all work and no play. I would strongly encourage carving out time to spend with loved ones and to enjoy your hobbies. Resting and recharging will also give your brain time to absorb all the wonderful knowledge and get the creative juices flowing again for the next module.”

Look after yourself

Completing a part-time Masters while working full-time means that you’ll have a significant workload. To be able to manage this, you need to ensure that you take excellent care of your physical and mental health. This means eating healthily, exercising regularly and seeking support when you need it. Here at Warwick Business School, we offer Wellbeing Support Services and academic support from a personal tutor, helping to equip you for success.

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Benefits of working full-time and studying part-time

You’ll earn money to support yourself during your studies

One of the greatest advantages of working full-time while studying on a part-time basis is being able to retain your financial stability. Continuing your paid work gives you the security of knowing that you can maintain a good standard of living for yourself and your family. It is worth looking into potential sources of extra help such as scholarships.

Discover scholarships offered by WBS below, and check out our guide to achieving a scholarship for helpful tips on the application process:

• WBS MBA Scholarship
• MSc Scholarships

It opens doors to career advancements

Studying part-time while you work can help you to build on and increase your skills. This can mean that you deliver more to your employer, giving you greater potential for promotion and earning more. This boost to your skills can also give you a much wider scope when it comes to new opportunities with other organisations.

You’ll expand your professional network

During your studies, you’ll get great exposure to fellow professionals and other contacts within industries you might want to work in. At Warwick Business School, you are under the tutelage of academics who are well respected and who have a wealth of useful knowledge and connections that can help you to grow your professional network.

You can apply your learnings to your job

Studying alongside working allows you to put the theory learnt at university into practical use. You’ll discover what works well and what needs to be adapted to your particular industry. You can use your new academic knowledge to improve your work processes and productivity and ultimately make yourself an extremely valuable employee.

Global Online MBA student Michael Brooman explains how combining studying with full-time work has enabled him to be a better learner and a more productive employee: 

“A benefit of studying for an MBA while working full-time is that it allows you to apply your learnings to your job in real-time. This can help to make the learning process more relevant and can help you to be more engaged with the material. Every module I’ve taken so far at WBS has had a near-immediate impact on my role, and I’ve been able to apply learnings straight away. You may also be able to use your current job to help you complete assignments and projects, as you are likely to have a close understanding of your business and so can apply examples.” 

Explore part-time courses at WBS

Choose Warwick Business School to enjoy a wide range of choice in terms of postgraduate study, including Master's Degrees and MBA Courses with a variety of specialisms such as accounting and finance, management, marketing and business. 

We understand that many of our students wish to enjoy the benefits of full-time work while they study, so we offer a host of part-time options. Study part-time with us and we’ll help to ensure that you soar academically and professionally. You’ll get an excellent academic grounding and skills that you can use to accelerate your career in business.

Take a look at our course finder or download a course information brochure to find out more about how you can enjoy an education that is globally respected.