Learn While You Earn: Tips for Returning to School While Working Full Time

In today’s job market, staying competitive and up-to-date demands ongoing learning. Professionals who consistently enhance their skills are better equipped to adapt to technological and industry changes, boosting their career growth and job security.

U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics data indicates that higher education levels correlate to improved earnings and employment prospects. Individuals with a master’s degree earn over 90 percent more than their counterparts with high school diplomas and over 60 percent more than individuals with associate degrees. In addition, their unemployment rate is just two percent, compared to nearly four percent for those with a high school diploma. 

Online degree programs make it easier than ever for working professionals to advance their education without quitting their jobs or relocating. Further benefits of online learning include the ability to maintain a steady income while studying and the opportunity to immediately apply new knowledge to real-world workplace scenarios. Students who continue to work may also also qualify for employer tuition assistance, which can significantly reduce the cost of a degree program. 

Merrimack College offers various part-time or full-time online undergraduate and graduate degree programs and certificates, some of which can also be completed on-campus or in a hybrid on-campus/online format. Most of Merrimack’s online programs accommodate individuals who work full time. Continue reading to learn more about earning a degree while continuing to work.

Understanding the Challenges

Balancing a full-time job with returning to school presents challenges, but it can be done. In fact, 64 percent of U.S. college students work while studying; 40 percent work full time. By recognizing the potential challenges you face, you can devise strategies to overcome or mitigate them effectively.

Common challenges faced by college students who work full time include: 

• Time management: Balancing work, school and personal commitments can make it difficult to find time to study and complete your academic assignments. 
• Fatigue and stress: Working students often experience physical and mental exhaustion from long hours and dual responsibilities. In some cases, this can lead to burnout. 
• Scheduling conflicts: Students who work full time may find that their work hours overlap with class or study times, creating scheduling difficulties. 
• Lack of social and personal time: Online students may find themselves sacrificing personal life, self-care or social activities to focus on work and studies.

Tips to Navigate Returning to School While Working Full Time

Time management skills, clear priorities and seeking support when needed can help students balance work and school obligations to achieve their academic and career goals. Continue reading to learn more. 

Develop Effective Time Management Strategies

Effective time management is critical to remaining on top of your studies without sacrificing your work performance or personal life. Consider implementing these strategies to optimize your time:

• Create a schedule: Block out specific time slots for work, study and rest. Sticking to a routine helps balance commitments more effectively.
• Set realistic goals: Break large tasks into smaller, manageable chunks and set clear goals for each study or work session.
• Prioritize tasks: Identify the most important tasks each day, focusing on those with the greatest urgency and most significant impact on your goals.

Staying organized reduces the time it takes to move from one task to the next and helps you meet all your deadlines. The following tools can help you become more organized: 

• Calendar apps: Use Google Calendar or Outlook to schedule work hours, classes, study sessions and personal time. A calendar app can help you stick to your time-management schedule. 
• Task management tools: Tools like Todoist or Microsoft To-Do can help you prioritize tasks, set deadlines and stay organized.
• Note-taking tools: You can use apps like Evernote or Notion to organize class notes, assignments and work-related materials, keeping everything in one place.

Use Institutional Resources

Online students have access to a range of institutional resources aimed at promoting their success—take full advantage of them! Merrimack College provides academic advisors and success coaches to help you navigate your online degree program. Online students may also benefit from technical support, career counseling, resume workshops and networking events.

Build a Support System

A robust support network is essential for students balancing full-time work and studies. This network—including family, friends, your employer, faculty, academic advisors and success coaches—can provide encouragement, motivation and practical support. For example, friends or family members might help with household responsibilities to ease your load, while your academic mentors and fellow students can help you with coursework and your time-management strategies. 

Your support network might also include your employer and colleagues. Before starting a degree program, approach your employer to outline your plans and ask for support where needed. Potential topics to discuss with your employer include: 

• Flexible work hours: Your employer may allow you to adjust your work schedule to accommodate study or class times.
• Remote work options: Having the flexibility to work from home, whether part time or full time, offers significant time savings.
• Study leave or paid time off: Some companies provide paid or unpaid study leave, allowing employees to take time off to prepare for exams, complete major projects or attend intensive courses.
• Tuition assistance: Many organizations offer financial support by reimbursing tuition costs or providing grants for professional development courses or degrees that align with the employee’s role.

When seeking your employer’s support, be ready to illustrate how your studies will enhance your skills and improve your job performance. Demonstrating how your education aligns with the company’s goals will strengthen your request for flexibility.

Keep Working While You Earn Your Degree at Merrimack

Earning a degree while working full-time can be challenging, but it’s achievable with the right approach and mindset. By implementing effective time-management strategies, utilizing college resources and building a strong support network, you can successfully balance your work, academic, and personal responsibilities to reach your educational goals.

Merrimack’s online degree programs cater to working professionals, offering flexibility and institutional support. Ready to take the first step toward advancing your education and career goals? Contact an enrollment advisor to learn more about the Merrimack online degree programs and application process.