Your guide to balancing work and study

Finding a healthy balance between work, study and your personal life is crucial for success at uni – especially if you’re returning as a mature age student or entering postgraduate study. We’re here to give you a few practical tips to stay on top of things without burning out.

How to balance full-time work and study

Balancing full-time work with postgraduate study requires effective time management and a strategic approach. You’ll need to establish a realistic schedule that allocates time for work and study. Things like prioritising critical tasks, setting achievable goals and leveraging time management tools, like focus timers, can increase your productivity.

Create a conducive environment for studying, minimise distractions and consider flexible study options such as online courses. Regularly reassess and adjust your schedule to maintain a healthy work-study-life balance, ensuring ample time for self-care and relaxation amidst commitments.

If you’re unsure how to approach this, reach out to our Student Support Team. They can point you in the right direction.

How to balance part-time work and study

Similar to balancing full-time work and study, managing part-time work alongside academic commitments also requires careful planning and effective time management. Begin by crafting a schedule that uses time-blocking for small amounts of work and study making sure they complement each other. Prioritise tasks, set realistic goals and consider flexible work arrangements like shift work outside of study hours. 

If possible, opt for study options that accommodate your work hours, such as evening classes or online courses. Check in regularly with your employer and tutors to manage workload expectations and adjust your schedule to maintain the most harmonious balance between work, study and personal life that you can achieve. You might even consider asking your boss for an early finish to study once a week, or working from home to reduce lost time while commuting. 

Consider connecting with someone who’s been through it already. Our Mature Ages Peer Support community was established for this exact reason!

7 tips for balancing work and study

1. Establish a schedule: Create a structured timetable that allocates time for work, study and personal activities to maintain a sense of routine and balance. And stick to it. 

2. Prioritise tasks: Identify and prioritise tasks based on urgency and importance, ensuring essential work and study commitments receive adequate attention.

3. Effective time management: Use tools like planners, calendars or apps to manage deadlines, assignments and work projects. You can also check out our Career Development Programs to hone these skills even further.  

4. Communication is key: Maintain open communication with employers and educators. Discuss workload adjustments or flexible arrangements that accommodate both work and study commitments.

5. Financial aid: Postgraduate study is an investment in your future, but if things start to get a bit tight, help is here. From scholarships to emergency grants, you’ll find plenty of options for financial aid, should you need it.

6. Seek support: Don't hesitate to seek support from supervisors, colleagues or academic advisors to navigate challenges and manage your workload. At UNSW, we offer plenty of options for student support.

7. Self-care matters: Prioritise self-care by getting adequate rest, nutrition and exercise. And if you need some extra support, UNSW offers free mental health support for all students.