Studying while working can be overwhelming, but with a strong, self-made schedule, you can make it work for you. Here, one of our Distance Learning students shows you how.
Offering a range of Distance Learning programmes, Arden University provide the chance to gain a life-enhancing qualification without disrupting your work or family commitments.
Here, Distance Learning student Ben Munro, talks about how he juggles his studies with other day-to-day responsibilities.
As a full-time public servant in the UK, my job can be very demanding; early starts, late finishes, weekend working and so on…
With Arden, I don’t have to worry about university work clashing with my paid job. I study via Distance Learning, a method that allows me to study when I want from anywhere - quite literally, as I once studied while cruising at 33,000 feet on a flight to the US.
The flexibility Arden’s Distance Learning provides could work for almost anyone. You can study as much or as little as you like each day or week - yes, there are deadlines, but they are practical and easily achievable. Deadlines are important as they develop you as a person and show to others that you’re able to manage time and work.
Juggling life and studies
If, like me, you’re busy almost 24/7 but still want to push yourself to get a degree, Arden could be the best place to look.
Personally, I work between 37 and 40 hours per week for a UK local government. My role is very demanding; it requires me to know lots of UK legislation, laws and how best to apply them to specific scenarios.
As well as that, I’m a Parish Councillor for a smaller local authority. This is also a very demanding but rewarding role. As an elected/co-opted councillor, I have variable tax raising powers and I’m also responsible (along with fellow councillors and the Clerk) for the parish.
I have an interest in the law of England and Wales and was lucky enough to be appointed to take over a worldwide resource website for Mooting. While an honour to be given sole responsibility, it is also time consuming - I have to constantly make sure resources are up-to-date, fit for purpose and that any new rulings in current cases reflect the resources online. I also sit on a number of academic boards and am a student rep for Arden University.
So, you might be asking how I fit all of that in, sleep and maintain a social life - somehow, I do…
A busy schedule can be managed, and to show how I do it, I’ve put together a breakdown of my working day (Monday – Friday). To get through the long days, I think about my goals, where I want to be and what I want to achieve.
I usually have Wednesdays and the weekend to myself and for socialising, but my plan above isn’t set in stone and I don’t always stick to it.
Admittedly, this schedule wouldn’t work for all – but the important thing to remember is that you are in control of your time, choosing when and where you study, and if you really want that degree, you can make it work.
