Under Pressure
I currently work approx 32hrs a week whilst also having two 12 hours days of uni with extensive travelling. I have no social life at all and am beginning to struggle with everything. I’m lucky if I get one day a week off and so the prospect of upcoming assignments and exams is rather scary. With all of this I’m lucky if I get any time to myself and even if I had any friends I wouldn’t have time to do anything. Is anyone else in this kind of situation or does anyone have any advice for me as I feel like I’m stuck in a loop I can’t get out off.
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Original post by Anonymous
I currently work approx 32hrs a week whilst also having two 12 hours days of uni with extensive travelling. I have no social life at all and am beginning to struggle with everything. I’m lucky if I get one day a week off and so the prospect of upcoming assignments and exams is rather scary. With all of this I’m lucky if I get any time to myself and even if I had any friends I wouldn’t have time to do anything. Is anyone else in this kind of situation or does anyone have any advice for me as I feel like I’m stuck in a loop I can’t get out off.
I haven't experienced what you have but I can say for sure that you're working a lot of hours for a uni student. Way over recommended hours.
From the way you've described things, you seem very close to burning out both physically and mentally. You've got to be careful!
The first thing I would do is cut down on your working hours by at least half. You can't have work interfering with your studies which as a uni student, are your priorities.
I would even suggest taking a break from working for the duration of your exams if you aren't dependant on the money your job provides.
As for the social life issues, I think having those freed up hours each week will help. Societies are a good way to meet new people so maybe you could consider joining one?
I also find that once I get friendly with some people in my seminar, I suggest that we meet up outside of class sometime. With some I click, with others I don't but it's still a good way to extend friendships from being only seminar/lecture based.
But yeah, it seems that your job is really the main issue here.
Good luck!
My story: Well, I was in a cash crunch and panicking so much about money that I had to take up 2 full-time work from home jobs (either wouldn't have covered costs). As of 31st of October, a month after doing both jobs, I quit one of the full-time jobs because I was burning out and more importantly, I was putting myself under too much stress of not being able to study. I failed a module in accounts last year. So, the fear of failing again was really bringing me down. (I already suffer from depression and anxiety and am on medication - antidepressants for it).
What you should do:
1. Pick your battles. - Obvs you can't have everything. I go out and meet my friends once a fortnight (saves me money and time and I feel connected when I really really need it) So, if a social life is something you'd like to have, try and make it productive. Join a study group and make them understand you are working so to limit your responsibility. If it doesn't bother you, trust me you aren't alone!
2. Start treating time like money. - Be in the present moment. See if you can access online recordings of your lectures and watch them on your long commute (if you aren't driving). Or if you are too tired see if you can catch a power nap. Or just deep breathe and centre yourself. Divide your time up differently. If you have to attend 12 hours of classes and they are non-negotiable block them out on a calendar. That leaves you with 32 hours of work. See if it's possible to work during the holidays instead of during term time. Or if it's possible for you to block off work months/weeks and study months/weeks, depending on how you are graded.
(My story continues) I have exams once a year in May alone, so that way I work from June to Oct (full-time) and then study (full-time) and work part-time. This is a distance learning course from LSE in economics and management.
3. Create a support system of help. - Reach out to your academic counsellors, tutors for handouts and peers for extra notes. Unfortunately, there is no short cut to study or work. You have to prioritise. One thing I'm learning to implement is STUDY over WORK. I repeat. STUDY OVER WORK. The whole point of a degree is to get good marks and create a better life which you won't be able to do unless you have the grades to prove it. See if it is possible to get a short term loan if you are tight on money and then pay it off by working during the holidays. I don't like loans, but you seem like a level headed responsible adult to me.
All the best! Keep us posted on how you do
<3
What you should do:
1. Pick your battles. - Obvs you can't have everything. I go out and meet my friends once a fortnight (saves me money and time and I feel connected when I really really need it) So, if a social life is something you'd like to have, try and make it productive. Join a study group and make them understand you are working so to limit your responsibility. If it doesn't bother you, trust me you aren't alone!
2. Start treating time like money. - Be in the present moment. See if you can access online recordings of your lectures and watch them on your long commute (if you aren't driving). Or if you are too tired see if you can catch a power nap. Or just deep breathe and centre yourself. Divide your time up differently. If you have to attend 12 hours of classes and they are non-negotiable block them out on a calendar. That leaves you with 32 hours of work. See if it's possible to work during the holidays instead of during term time. Or if it's possible for you to block off work months/weeks and study months/weeks, depending on how you are graded.
(My story continues) I have exams once a year in May alone, so that way I work from June to Oct (full-time) and then study (full-time) and work part-time. This is a distance learning course from LSE in economics and management.
3. Create a support system of help. - Reach out to your academic counsellors, tutors for handouts and peers for extra notes. Unfortunately, there is no short cut to study or work. You have to prioritise. One thing I'm learning to implement is STUDY over WORK. I repeat. STUDY OVER WORK. The whole point of a degree is to get good marks and create a better life which you won't be able to do unless you have the grades to prove it. See if it is possible to get a short term loan if you are tight on money and then pay it off by working during the holidays. I don't like loans, but you seem like a level headed responsible adult to me.
All the best! Keep us posted on how you do
<3I appreciate the responses and advice, it seems the main bit of advice is to significantly reduce my work hours which would indeed solve many problems.
Also, because of the long commute for uni I’ve not really made any friends, but that’s a problem to put on the back burner for now.
I worry that if I tell my manager I am unable to do so many hrs I will just get sacked, as many people before me have been sacked for less.
I guess what I need to do now is make a priorities list and figure out what I need to cut loose.
Again, thanks for the responses 👍🏼
Also, because of the long commute for uni I’ve not really made any friends, but that’s a problem to put on the back burner for now.
I worry that if I tell my manager I am unable to do so many hrs I will just get sacked, as many people before me have been sacked for less.
I guess what I need to do now is make a priorities list and figure out what I need to cut loose.
Again, thanks for the responses 👍🏼
Original post by Anonymous
I appreciate the responses and advice, it seems the main bit of advice is to significantly reduce my work hours which would indeed solve many problems.
Also, because of the long commute for uni I’ve not really made any friends, but that’s a problem to put on the back burner for now.
I worry that if I tell my manager I am unable to do so many hrs I will just get sacked, as many people before me have been sacked for less.
I guess what I need to do now is make a priorities list and figure out what I need to cut loose.
Again, thanks for the responses 👍🏼
Also, because of the long commute for uni I’ve not really made any friends, but that’s a problem to put on the back burner for now.
I worry that if I tell my manager I am unable to do so many hrs I will just get sacked, as many people before me have been sacked for less.
I guess what I need to do now is make a priorities list and figure out what I need to cut loose.
Again, thanks for the responses 👍🏼
Could you see if you can live nearer your university to reduce your commute? If you get sacked for requesting less hours then good riddance to the job tbh. You should prioritise your degree over your job - only work as much as you can cope with. Doing a full time job alongside a full time degree isn't recommended.
Original post by PhoenixFortune
Could you see if you can live nearer your university to reduce your commute? If you get sacked for requesting less hours then good riddance to the job tbh. You should prioritise your degree over your job - only work as much as you can cope with. Doing a full time job alongside a full time degree isn't recommended.
After this year the course is moving much close to me, with an insanely smaller commute.
As for the job, it’s only meant to be part time with very few hours but they’re hitting me with about 24 hours overtime each week.
The reason I’m beginning to struggle with things is because I’m just becoming totally exhausted with no days off to refuel. Obviously uni is all about time management but my spare hours are becoming few and far between.
Again, thanks for the responses, it’s good getting opinions.
I hate the idea of cutting the hours but it looks like my only option. I’m meant to be working every single day for the next two week and I just don’t know how. With assignments and exams coming up dropping the hours seems to be my only option. I could end up getting sacked but do I have any other option?
Original post by Anonymous
I hate the idea of cutting the hours but it looks like my only option. I’m meant to be working every single day for the next two week and I just don’t know how. With assignments and exams coming up dropping the hours seems to be my only option. I could end up getting sacked but do I have any other option?
Everything you want is on the other side of fear. Weigh out the joys of getting good grades. It's all a matter of perspective
Original post by Anonymous
I hate the idea of cutting the hours but it looks like my only option. I’m meant to be working every single day for the next two week and I just don’t know how. With assignments and exams coming up dropping the hours seems to be my only option. I could end up getting sacked but do I have any other option?
I think it comes down to: what do you want to prioritise, a job or your degree? If you don't want to be doing a degree right now, drop out and work full time. If you want to do well in your degree, reduce your hours.
I read you loud and clear, cut down the hours and knuckle down with the degree, there’ll be plenty of time for work after. It’s been very useful getting all the different opinions, thanks chaps.
Even though I was one of the people trying to help you through this. I can't help but feel under pressure myself. I often return to this post to follow my own advice. I have a different degree structure, I just have exams once a year in May that are 100%. But, most people start studying in September. And its mid-November and I'm still working and my work wants to give me more work. I have charted a routine for myself that goes like this:
Midnight - 6 am = Sleep
7am - 8 am = Study (1hr)
9am - 1 pm = Work (Research)
2pm - 6pm = Work (Writing)
6pm - 7pm = Sleep / Procrastinate
7pm - 8pm = Dinner
8pm - Midnight = Study
What has actually happened so far:
10pm - 8am = Sleep
9:30am - noon = Work (Research - not that great quality)
noon - 2pm = Sleep
2pm - 4pm = Attempted to work but ended up feeling too anxious (primarily because it's a difficult topic to research and I don't see how I am going to get this done within 7-8 hours as aimed) and began procrastinating.
.
.
.
Midnight - 6 am = Sleep
7am - 8 am = Study (1hr)
9am - 1 pm = Work (Research)
2pm - 6pm = Work (Writing)
6pm - 7pm = Sleep / Procrastinate
7pm - 8pm = Dinner
8pm - Midnight = Study
What has actually happened so far:
10pm - 8am = Sleep
9:30am - noon = Work (Research - not that great quality)
noon - 2pm = Sleep
2pm - 4pm = Attempted to work but ended up feeling too anxious (primarily because it's a difficult topic to research and I don't see how I am going to get this done within 7-8 hours as aimed) and began procrastinating.
.
.
.
Original post by Anonymous
I currently work approx 32hrs a week whilst also having two 12 hours days of uni with extensive travelling. I have no social life at all and am beginning to struggle with everything. I’m lucky if I get one day a week off and so the prospect of upcoming assignments and exams is rather scary. With all of this I’m lucky if I get any time to myself and even if I had any friends I wouldn’t have time to do anything. Is anyone else in this kind of situation or does anyone have any advice for me as I feel like I’m stuck in a loop I can’t get out off.
Hi there,
As @ughhhhhfam @bimbibap and @blackmyst3ry have already said, you need to reduce your work hours. I worked a lot during my undergrad, but these consisted of part time hours in jobs, including working on campus. Can you apply for any jobs on campus? That was you're on campus and after your shift can go the library.
Freeing up hours instead of working means you can then spend more time socialising. Like @blackmyst3ry, I saw some friends once a fortnight but always messaged them a lot and had a support network of friends for chatting.
Uni work over paid work is the one point I had to get over (as a mature student it took me a while to get that sorted in my head!). You can do this, but you'll need to compromise somethings.
Please feel free to message any questions we can help you with
Fi
Tomorrow I am going to try and have a conversation with my manager. Currently I am working an average of 30 hours per week and with the long journey I am subject to for uni I am seriously beginning to struggle. With exams and assignments coming my way I am going to have to cut down work one way or another as there is no sign of the hours lessening at all.
Between work and travelling for uni I have absolutely no friends or social life and so am really beginning to feel quite lonely, especially coming towards Christmas.
It has been great hearing so many different perspectives and experiences. Thanks again.
Between work and travelling for uni I have absolutely no friends or social life and so am really beginning to feel quite lonely, especially coming towards Christmas.
It has been great hearing so many different perspectives and experiences. Thanks again.
Original post by Anonymous
Tomorrow I am going to try and have a conversation with my manager. Currently I am working an average of 30 hours per week and with the long journey I am subject to for uni I am seriously beginning to struggle. With exams and assignments coming my way I am going to have to cut down work one way or another as there is no sign of the hours lessening at all.
Between work and travelling for uni I have absolutely no friends or social life and so am really beginning to feel quite lonely, especially coming towards Christmas.
It has been great hearing so many different perspectives and experiences. Thanks again.
Between work and travelling for uni I have absolutely no friends or social life and so am really beginning to feel quite lonely, especially coming towards Christmas.
It has been great hearing so many different perspectives and experiences. Thanks again.
Your very welcome! I hope everything goes well with your meeting.
If you need any other advice please let us know
Amy
I am glad that you have decided to reduce working hours.
UPDATE: My hours have been cut back almost to my base contracted hours. However, I now only have 4 days to complete 4 assignments. Once I get these past these four I will have 4 exams and 1 more assignment to work on over Christmas.
Anyone have any advice on what the best way to tackle four assignments in four days is?
Anyone have any advice on what the best way to tackle four assignments in four days is?
Original post by Anonymous
UPDATE: My hours have been cut back almost to my base contracted hours. However, I now only have 4 days to complete 4 assignments. Once I get these past these four I will have 4 exams and 1 more assignment to work on over Christmas.
Anyone have any advice on what the best way to tackle four assignments in four days is?
Anyone have any advice on what the best way to tackle four assignments in four days is?
Are they all due on the same day?
Original post by PhoenixFortune
Are they all due on the same day?
Yes 😕
Original post by Anonymous
Yes 😕
In that case, you should write out a schedule (and stick to it!) of what needs doing i.e. reading, writing a quick plan/drafting, writing, referencing etc. Depending on how best you work, you could either try to complete one assignment per day, or a bit of each every day. You need to try and reduce all distractions, and given that you don't have the luxury of time, just plough through them. If you can, leave an hour or so at the end of the 4 days to reread every assignment and make last minute alterations.
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