For many reasons, working when still in school is of great benefit. However, juggling the two can be demanding, to the extent that making ample time for your work and academic life can be way challenging. But with the right strategy and approach, it’s possible to be successful in both fields. Nancy Zagabe a university student and customer service and documentation officer at Gulf First, a shipping and logistics company, thinks that it takes courage and determination to balance these two. “I have been traveling since Thursday, and came back to Kigali yesterday. Working and studying at the same time is my biggest challenge. I go to work at 8 am and I have class in the evening, this has been a bit hard for me because at times I get caught up with work and miss my exams,” she says. Because of such challenges, Zagabe chose to shift her classes online. She also made an agreement with her boss to adjust her schedule in order to make time for both, so the two won’t be hard to handle. “I have agreed with my boss that I should leave work an hour before my class starts. When I am off work, I focus only on my studies; I make sure I am done with anything relating to work and place all my attention to my studies. It helps me a lot because it is easier to manage that way,” she shares. Even though Zagabe found ways to manage both her academics and work, there are some people like Alice Ineza, a shop owner who ended up giving up on her studies. When she started university, her mother was the only one catering for her tuition. And because the fees were high, she had to look for a source of income to support her too. “I started selling clothes and the business was growing, but it required me to be always present. The only way was to drop out and focus on my business since it was the one bringing me income. It is sad to know that I won’t have a chance to finish my university,” she sadly shares. Beni Arsene Rukumbuzi a university student and a radio presenter at Radio Maria says that no matter how hard it can be, there is a way to manage your time. “When the week is about to start, I make a plan of how I will be working and also studying. My job starts from 8 to 12 pm and school starts from 5pm to 8 pm, so between 2pm and 5 pm, there are about 3 hours. I spend 2 hours doing some other things, then the other hour, I use it to go to school before time,” he says. Organisation and sticking to schedule is one way of managing for those working and studying at the same time. Other ways include avoiding procrastination, punctuality, organising and delegating tasks among others. In a blog post written by bestcolleges.com, they advise breaking down large tasks into smaller ones, “You might only have 1-2 hours after work to get homework done. It is important that you work on what is due tomorrow, not what is due in two weeks. In other words, ask yourself, what needs to be done right now?” Students can use paper, their planners, or even to-do list apps on their phones. However, you decide to prioritise what’s in front of you, writing it down helps you see what still needs to be done and make the most of the limited time you have, the post suggests.
