How I fit my studies around a full-time job

Deciding to go to university is always in part a financial decision, but starting a university (or any level of education) course a bit later in life can be even more difficult. Once you have more financial responsibility, such as having dependents (like children), rent or a mortgage and bills to pay, it's not always easy to find a way to make studying work. 

I struggled to make ends meet whilst studying for my first degree. I was technically an estranged student, but with no real "proof", so I wasn't entitled to any further support. At one point I had three jobs, and I missed most of my lectures because I had to go to work. I didn't enjoy university, and a huge part of this was the constant worrying about finances. I still managed to graduate, but the subject wasn't right for me, and after rediscovering my love for space and finding out about the Open University (OU), I signed up to their Combined STEM programme. I work full-time at a university, with two work from home days a week. This is how I fit my studies around my full-time job. 

Study part time

It takes a little longer, but it means I can be financially stable and focus more on fewer modules. The OU is great as it provides the flexibility to study a different number of credits each year, so you aren't limited to 60 credits a year like many other part time courses. Some people do manage to both work and study full-time, but it's quite difficult to manage and personally I prefer to spend more time focusing on each module so that I can perform to my best ability. 

Study on my lunch break

I find it helps to maintain my focus throughout the day if I'm productive at lunch. If I'm not studying, I'll read or do some other learning like languages. It also gets me about 3-4 extra hours of studying in a week. Working at a university, I've got a big academic library and several cafés to work in, so I quite enjoy studying on my lunch break! When I'm working from home, I'll do a bit of studying at lunch or straight after work since I have no commute. 

Study earlier in the day

Some people are more productive earlier in the day, others are late at night. I'm best at studying in the middle of the day and early evening. I'm a night owl, so I thought I'd prefer studying late, but I'm at my most productive mid afternoon to early evening. I plan study sessions for these times, especially on weekends. I do still enjoy the occasional late-night study session, so I plan for the next week every week rather than sticking to a set schedule. This gives me a bit more flexibility to fit my studying around whatever else I have going on in a particular week. 

Get ahead

My module resources are usually available to me prior to the start date, so I try to get at least a little bit ahead in at least one of my modules. That way, if I'm having a very busy week at work, or I'm not very well, I don't have to worry as much about falling behind. Even getting one chapter ahead can help! My partner works weekends, so I try to cram as much studying in as I can on these days to help me during the week, when I'm tired from going to work. 

Put less pressure on myself

Growing up, the only validation I ever really received was academic. This left me with quite an unhealthy relationship with academic success, and it had a really bad impact on my mental health for years. When I was studying for my first degree, I lost all motivation because I felt like my personal worth was attached to my grades. This makes it really difficult to get started on studying. Instead of learning, I'd be panicking about getting good enough grades and convincing myself I'd fail. 

This time around, I wanted to take a more positive attitude. I look at the good grades I've received throughout my life, even when I had really difficult things going on in my personal life. If I could get an A* in A-Level maths whilst really struggling with my mental health, bullying and a poor home-life, then I know I must be capable of something. A degree might be harder than A-Levels, but it shows me that I have the potential to do well. 

I also work 36.5 hours a week, with a 30-minute commute each way. I'm supposed to study for 16 hours a week, but I don't always meet that. I put so much pressure on myself in the past to be the perfect student, studying non-stop. The first time I learned this lesson, I'd crammed for weeks for my GCSE Latin exam. I'd been studying for 12 hours a day, sometimes more, and barely slept. I got a B. Which is a great grade in hindsight, but at the time I felt like I'd failed. I'd spent more time on Latin than any other subject, and it ended up being one of my lower grades. I'd put so much pressure on myself, that I couldn't perform in the exam to the best of my ability. Now, I know that I have other commitments to fit my studies around. So whilst I should perhaps study a few hours more than I do, I'm kinder to myself when I'm tired or too drained to study. 

I put less pressure on myself now. I tell myself that if I don't study well enough, then it's on me if I don't do well. I tell myself that if I do fail or get a lower grade than expected, it's ok because there are other modules I can take. I tell myself that I don't have to be perfect to achieve my goals. Gaining a degree in physics will still be an impressive feat for me, regardless of whether I get a first, a 2:1, a 2:2... I have given myself permission to get less-than-perfect grades, which actually improved my grades quite substantially. I used to panic about getting anything less than an A* or a first, but that actually sunk my grades because I was more focused on the actual grade rather than how to achieve it. Last year I achieved distinctions in both of my modules, which was a shock as I'd told myself I'd be happy with a 2:2 in both. Sometimes, the things that make less sense actually work more effectively! 

Studying for a degree (or any qualification) when you have other commitments, whether it's work, caring responsibilities or a combination of things, is difficult, but it's so worth it when you get those results and see the impact of all the hard work you put in. 

Remember that it's only temporary - university doesn't last forever - so enjoy it whilst you can, and focus on your motivations for studying in the first place!