If you are a working professional, it is important that you learn how to study while still keeping your job.
There are several ways you can study while on the job. Avoid procrastination, plan ahead, and take advantage of breaks. These tips will help you study effectively and keep up with your coursework.
Table of Contents
Avoiding Procrastination
Avoiding procrastination is important when studying for a job or career advancement. It can mean the difference between completing a task on time and not meeting the deadline. It can also mean the difference between losing an important account or losing a job.
Procrastination can have negative consequences on your performance, output, and personal work style. It can also make your career advancement more difficult, so it is important to avoid it whenever possible.
The best way to overcome procrastination is to identify and fix the underlying cause. This can be anything from completing a presentation to feeling overwhelmed.
Identifying and eliminating the cause of your procrastination will help you improve your results.
There are four main triggers of procrastination.
The first is a lack of value. It can be triggered by the expectation of failure or confusion about the first steps of an assignment.
The second trigger is impulsivity. If you feel overwhelmed, it may be time to take a break or engage in something relaxing. By avoiding these triggers, you’ll be able to improve your productivity and avoid procrastination.
Mood is another important factor to consider when avoiding procrastination. Procrastination is often a result of a lack of motivation. It can also occur when you are suffering from depression or anxiety.
When this happens, you may be unable to complete the task. This can lead to chronic stress and difficulty with your studies or career. Furthermore, you might be unable to spend quality time with your family or friends.
Once you have recognized your procrastination, it’s important to determine the reason for it. This is essential to overcome procrastination. Having a good reason for doing something is important, as it motivates you to get things done.
Eliminating Distractions
Eliminating distractions from the work environment is one of the most important ways to ensure you have enough time to study.
Studies have shown that it takes an average of 23 minutes for an individual to regain focus after an interruption, which is why it is important to plan your day accordingly.
For example, you should plan your morning activities and set aside a designated time for lunch.
The most common distractions are electronic, but younger siblings can also be a major distraction. If you’re struggling with staying focused, you may also want to consider using noise canceling headphones or heavy-duty earplugs.
White noise or ambient music can also help you focus.
Millennials and Gen Z are more susceptible to distractions. In fact, 35% of them say they’ll use headphones to block out external noise, compared to only 16% of Baby Boomers.
However, you should also consider that these generations are wired differently. For example, Gen Z is more productive when the noise level is low and they can interact with co-workers. Meanwhile, Baby Boomers need complete quiet to concentrate.
Another study reveals that distractions in the workplace have a detrimental impact on employee productivity. It is estimated that businesses lose as much as $650 billion dollars a year due to employee inability to focus on their work.
In addition to reducing stress, eliminating distractions in the workplace may improve the quality of work.
Workplace distractions have several negative effects on the quality of work and performance. People who are constantly distracted are more likely to make mistakes and suffer from stress.
A study from Harvard Business Review showed that the average worker is interrupted between 50 and 60 times per day. Many of these interruptions are unimportant, yet they still increase the risk of making mistakes.
Planning Ahead
If you’re a working professional and are planning on taking an online degree program, you might want to consider planning ahead for your coursework. By planning ahead, you’ll be able to make sure you have enough time for all your assignments and tests.
Often, important assignments and exams require more time than you expect. Therefore, it’s important to begin early and work on them each week, so that you can complete them on time.
Don’t leave anything until the last minute and be sure to plan enough time to edit and format the assignment.
The best way to plan ahead for your studies is to make a study schedule. Make a list of the study subjects you have to cover, as well as the time you’ll spend on each subject.
This way, you’ll know exactly what days you’ll have time to study. For example, you may want to schedule math study on Mondays and Thursdays, and English study on Tuesdays and Fridays.
If you’re an auditory learner, listen to audio study material while you study. If you tend to lose focus and procrastinate, build in extra time before deadlines.
By planning ahead, you’ll be able to reduce your stress level as a working professional and complete your coursework on time.
Taking Advantage of Days Off
Taking time off is essential for your health and mental wellbeing. Doctors often advise that working professionals take their vacation days to relax and rejuvenate.
Not taking time off can cause a lot of stress can lead to mental health problems. However, some people are worried about taking their vacation days because they are worried about missing important work.
