The business sector can offer a variety of exciting and interesting job roles, so it is no surprise that these types of careers are attractive to many people. Although having a business degree or similar qualification might not be necessary for every role, getting an education in a business discipline that you are interested in can be beneficial for numerous reasons, such as boosting your confidence, giving you the chance to meet new people, and most importantly, expanding your knowledge.
A lot of people might choose to go to university once they graduate high school, but this path isn’t right for everybody. There are many reasons why you might find your life following a different direction, such as wanting to take time to figure out what you want in life, familial commitments, or even wanting to save some money before you pursue further education. Whatever the reason, if you have reached a point in life where you would like to go back to school to obtain your business degree but you are worried you can’t fit in studying with a busy schedule, here are some tips to help you tackle this problem.
Be Prepared to Make Some Sacrifices
If you want to achieve your business degree or a similar qualification, you do need to be prepared to make some sacrifices to make this happen as studying will take up some of your spare time. While you might not be able to give up certain commitments, particularly if you have dependents relying on you, you do need to be willing to make time for your studies on weekends or evenings. This might mean sacrificing a night out with your friends on a Saturday or turning down a few other social engagements to create more time to study.
Think About Reducing Your Hours to Part-time
This will not be a viable option for everyone, but it is worth taking the time to work out your financial position to see if this is something that you could do. The reason moving to part-time hours can be more beneficial is that it will allow you more hours in the week to dedicate to your studying while also freeing up more time for you to relax as well. If you think you could survive on a part-time wage until your studies have been completed, speak to your employer to see if this is an arrangement that they are willing to support so that you can pursue your education.
Consider Flexible Learning Options
Another great way to make it easier to fit in studying to an otherwise busy schedule is by exploring more flexible learning options. Online degree programs or other educational courses can be an excellent way to fit studies around your work hours or taking care of a family, etc., and this approach to learning has been attractive to many. You could look at getting an undergraduate degree in business, a master’s, or even look at higher education courses like this doctor of business administration online if this is the level of qualification you are seeking.
Create a Study Schedule and Stick to It
Being organized will be key to succeeding in your business qualification, especially if you are balancing your studies with a job and/or running a household. This is why it is a good idea to come up with a study schedule that you can easily incorporate into your weekly routine. For example, setting aside Sunday mornings to work on your assignments, or a couple of hours each evening on Monday to Friday to complete your modules. Whatever schedule will work for you, but just make sure that you are giving yourself enough time each week to do a good amount of studying for your assignments.
See if Other Students Want to Study Together
Another option to explore is seeing if any of the other students on your course would like to start a weekly study group. This may be slightly easier if you are attending classes in person, but it isn’t impossible to do this with fellow students you have met on online courses either. For the latter, you could use Zoom or similar video-calling software and schedule regular meetings once a week. This could help you to find more time to fit in your studies and organize your day or week around this. It can also be a great opportunity to get tips and advice from your fellow students which can be useful if you are struggling with a certain topic, or even develop your understanding of the subject through their insights as well as sharing yours.
Ask for Help with the Kids
If one of the reasons you have been putting off pursuing your business degree/qualification is because you have children to look after, don’t be afraid to ask a trusted friend or relative for help. Childcare can be very expensive, but if you do have someone close to you who wouldn’t mind babysitting for a few hours each week while you’re studying this can make a big difference. Again, this might not be a viable option for everyone but do ask for some support in this way if you do need help with childcare.
Can You Study on Your Commute?
If you don’t drive to work, but rather take the train or the bus, think about whether or not you could try to squeeze in some studying on your commute. It might be doing some further reading on a topic that you’re focusing on for a particular module, going over some of your previous notes for an exam, or writing up an assignment. If your commute does usually take over half an hour, it is worth using this time to study as it could allow you more free time once you get home.
Key Takeaway
When you are continuing to work, looking after a family, or juggling other important commitments as part of your daily routine, studying for your business degree might seem like a pipedream – but it doesn’t have to be. If this is something that you would like to achieve, consider these tips to help you try and find more time to study even when you do have a busy schedule.
