Working Hard and Studying Harder: How to Maintain Academic Performance While Working
...and more real-life stories of working medical students
As I’ve mentioned in the previous post, we'll have part 2 for the topic, how to make money while in medical school. This time, it will be about tips on how to maintain academic performance while working. Enjoy reading!
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The challenges of maintaining academic performance while working
Many students today face the challenge of maintaining academic performance while working part-time or full-time jobs. Working while studying can have both positive and negative effects on students' academic outcomes, depending on various factors such as the type, intensity, and flexibility of work, the level of support from family and school, and the individual's motivation and time management skills.
Some of the positive effects of working while studying are increased financial independence, improved self-esteem, and enhanced employability skills. Working students may also develop a sense of responsibility, discipline, and maturity that can help them succeed in their academic endeavors.
However, working while studying can also pose significant challenges that can hinder students' academic performance. Some of the negative effects are higher risk of delayed graduation rates, and negative effects on academic performance.
Working students may experience stress, fatigue, burnout, and reduced well-being due to the competing demands of work and school. They may also have less time for academic studies, school activities, social interactions, and leisure.
The primary academic challenge of working students is financial problems, which are attributed to school-related expenses (requirements), needs, and wants.
Working students may struggle to balance their budgets and pay for tuition fees, books, transportation, food, and other necessities. They may also face unexpected financial emergencies that can affect their ability to continue their studies.
Another academic challenge for working students is psychological problems, such as external discouragement and a lack of moral support from their families.
Working students may encounter negative attitudes and stereotypes from their parents, relatives, peers, teachers, and employers, who may question their ability or commitment to pursue higher education. They may also feel isolated, lonely, or depressed due to the lack of social support and interaction with their classmates and friends.
Overcoming the challenges
To overcome these challenges, working students need to adopt effective strategies that can help them balance work and school. Some of these strategies are:
Choosing a suitable job that matches their skills, interests, goals, and schedule
Negotiating with their employers for flexible work arrangements that can accommodate their academic obligations
Communicating with their teachers about their work situation and seeking academic assistance when needed
Managing their time wisely by setting priorities, making plans, avoiding procrastination, and using spare time productively
Seeking financial aid or scholarships that can reduce their financial burden and allow them to focus more on their studies
Seeking emotional support from their family members, friends, or mentors who can encourage them and provide them with guidance and advice
Taking care of their physical and mental health by getting enough sleep, eating well, exercising regularly, and engaging in relaxing activities.
Working while studying is a challenging but rewarding experience that can help students achieve their academic and career goals. By being aware of the potential benefits and drawbacks of working while studying and by applying effective strategies to cope with the challenges, working students can enhance their academic performance and well-being.
Time Management Strategies You May Find Useful
Being a medical student is challenging enough, but adding a part-time job to the mix can make it even more stressful. How can you balance your studies, work, and personal life without burning out?
Here are some time management strategies that can help you succeed in both your academic and professional endeavors.
Create a schedule
One of the most important skills for managing your time effectively is planning ahead. Use a calendar or a planner to keep track of your classes, assignments, exams, work shifts, and other commitments.
Make sure to allocate enough time for studying, reviewing, and preparing for each task. Also, include some breaks and leisure activities to avoid feeling overwhelmed and bored.
Prioritize tasks
Not all tasks are equally important or urgent. Learn to prioritize your tasks based on their deadlines, difficulty, and relevance. For example, you might want to focus on studying for an upcoming exam rather than doing a minor assignment due later.
You can use a system like the Eisenhower matrix to categorize your tasks into four quadrants: urgent and important, important but not urgent, urgent but not important, and neither urgent nor important. Then, tackle them accordingly.
Use time-saving techniques
There are many ways to save time and optimize productivity while studying or working. For example, you can use flashcards, mnemonics, or online tools like PLE QBank to review key concepts and facts quickly and efficiently.
You can also use apps like Evernote or Google Drive to organize your notes and documents in one place and access them from any device. Additionally, you can use services like grocery delivery and/or laundry pickup to outsource some of your errands and free up some time for more important things.
Squeeze in breaks as often as you can
Working and studying non-stop can lead to fatigue, boredom, and reduced performance. To prevent this, make sure to take regular breaks throughout your day.
You can use the Pomodoro technique to divide your work into 25-minute intervals with 5-minute breaks in between. During your breaks, you can do something relaxing, fun, or energizing, such as stretching, meditating, listening to music, or chatting with a friend. This will help you recharge your batteries and maintain your focus.
These are some of the time management strategies that can help you juggle your responsibilities as a medical student and a part-time worker. Remember that you don't have to do everything by yourself. You can always ask for help from your peers, mentors, professors, or supervisors if you need it. Also, remember to take care of yourself by eating well, sleeping enough, and staying healthy.
What kind of gigs do medical students take?
Here are more ideas for you:
@itsIRENEvelasco: “Nagpapaload ako sa mga classmates tyaka nagbenta ng hikaw”
@paolosmacasaet: Nagturo sa review center for college entrance exams.
@innoculum: Had a US-based virtual assistant job (even before starting med school)… I’ve been doing project-based jobs every now and then for foreign clients during “more benign” rotations.
@ceciledoc: Nagturo ako ng PT students and PT board review on Saturdays. I took private pts as a PT while I was in med school.
@itsme_jimsygale: I sold med books to my classmates lesser than C&E discount can give to my medschool… I also buy & sell B&BW pocketbacs and cologne.
@iggyfrome: As a non-traditional premed, I keep in touch by doing paper works for a friend’s business school in Canada. Essays and spreadsheets.
@notleemartz_: Board exam materials esp international exams… asking for writers and the likes and you’ll be given enough time. The load is bearable esp for clerks, though choose projects na you can handle talaga.
@mara_elize: I did illustrations and graphic art commissions during med school… but I don’t accept projects during exam week.