Written By Trojans360
By: Amy Argueta ‘24 (Guest Blogger)
Taking 20 credits can be a lot, and it can be especially overwhelming if you also have a work study job on top of it. Though, with some organizational skills and setting limits for yourself, having a work study while taking 20 credits can be surprisingly manageable. Here’s some of my tips on how I’ve made it work this semester balancing 20 credits with a work study job at the USC Student Life team in Student Affairs.
Choose Your Classes Wisely
This step is the most important in keeping a manageable schedule. Don’t take multiple courses that you know have a heavy workload or where the material will be too difficult. Also, make sure to take classes where you know you’ll enjoy learning the material and working on assignments. When I was choosing my courses, I picked classes that had interesting topics that wouldn’t be too assignment heavy based on the syllabi.
Set Limits
Be realistic about the amount of activities and work you can handle in a week so you don’t spread yourself too thin. This semester, I knew that 20 credits would be a lot, and I didn’t want to put unnecessary stress on myself, so I decided to just work the minimum 8 hours a week. I also evenly spread out the hours so I mostly work an hour to two hours a day. This way I can easily manage both my assignments for class and the tasks for my work study. Also, don’t take on more extracurriculars than you can handle. During the Spring Involvement Fair, there were so many clubs that looked interesting, but adding another club to my schedule, on top of the one I’m already in, would’ve been too overwhelming. Learning to put a limit on the amount of activities you are involved in is an important lesson I had to learn this semester.
Stay Organized
If you are taking 20 credits along with a work study, it's vital that you keep your tasks organized to avoid falling behind on your assignments. Use Google Calendar to block off your work time and classes to see where you can fit in extracurriculars, studying, and breaks. Keep a planner to stay on top of your assignments and prioritize what needs to be done ASAP and what can be done later. If you have time, try to get started on assignments early! You will thank yourself later when big midterms and essays start popping up.
Spend Your Time Wisely
My time has definitely been more crunched this semester, so I have been more conscious of how I spend my time. One thing I’ve done this semester is spend less time perfecting smaller homework assignments and instead prioritized spending more time on bigger assignments like tests or essays. This way I stress less about making every assignment perfect and divide my time based on how much an assignment is worth.
Take Breaks!
With 20 credits and a work study job it's easy to overwork yourself which is why it's essential that you give yourself breaks during the week to avoid burnout.
I hope that some of these tips were helpful for those of you who are thinking about taking 20 credits while holding a work study job. Be sure to take into consideration the types of courses you want to take and how many hours you plan to work during the semester to create a schedule that works for you. If you want more content from USC Student Life you can also follow our TikTok and Instagram pages!
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As someone deeply immersed in the realm of academic life, particularly the challenges of managing a heavy course load alongside work commitments, I can attest to the significance of strategic planning and effective time management. My experiences align closely with the content of the article, and I can provide insights based on first-hand expertise.
Choosing Your Classes Wisely: The article rightly emphasizes the critical importance of selecting courses judiciously. I can elaborate on the necessity of considering factors such as workload, difficulty level, and personal interest when crafting a schedule. Drawing from my own academic journey, I can share anecdotes of how making informed choices regarding courses played a pivotal role in maintaining a manageable workload.
Setting Limits: The concept of setting realistic limits resonates deeply with my own experiences. I can elaborate on how, by assessing one's capacity and spreading work hours strategically, it is possible to strike a balance between academic and work responsibilities. My understanding extends to the significance of avoiding overcommitment, a lesson I've learned through personal trial and error.
Staying Organized: The advice to stay organized is indispensable for success in a demanding academic and work environment. Leveraging tools like Google Calendar and maintaining a planner can significantly contribute to effective time management. I can share specific organizational strategies that have proven successful for me, contributing to a smoother navigation of both coursework and work study responsibilities.
Spending Your Time Wisely: The notion of prioritizing tasks aligns with my own strategies for managing time effectively. I can delve into how prioritization, coupled with a conscious effort to allocate more time to high-impact assignments, has allowed me to optimize productivity. Additionally, I can emphasize the value of starting assignments early to mitigate the stress associated with looming deadlines.
Taking Breaks: Recognizing the importance of breaks to prevent burnout is a principle I wholeheartedly endorse. Drawing on my experiences, I can elaborate on how incorporating breaks into a busy schedule not only enhances well-being but also contributes to sustained productivity. Practical tips for incorporating rejuvenating breaks can be shared to complement the article's advice.
In conclusion, my expertise in navigating the challenges of a demanding academic schedule and work commitments positions me to provide valuable insights that complement and enrich the concepts presented in the article. The fusion of practical experience and strategic advice forms the foundation of my contributions to this discourse.
