Hey, I’m Jomana—a second-year undergrad studying Media Studies and, on most days, feeling like a full-time stress ball on the verge of exploding. Aside from lectures and coursework, I also work as a part-time nanny with Koru Kids. I decided to take on a job at the beginning of my second year, thinking it would teach me discipline and help me gain some real-world experience. Little did I know, the reality would be tight schedules, sleep deprivation, and overwhelming stress.
I’m here to share how I’m learning to juggle everything—from time management, dealing with stress, to somehow keeping a social life alive. If you’re in a similar boat or considering taking on work while studying full-time, let me offer you some advice from the trenches.
How I Manage My Time Without Losing My Mind
Starting my job as a nanny felt like a breeze at first, especially since I landed it over the summer. I had just quit a job I didn’t love and was eager for a fresh start. Applying to Koru Kids was straightforward—I met with a family who needed a French speaker to connect with their kids, and we clicked instantly. The summer was perfect. I had time, energy, and absolutely zero stress.
Then, the semester began. Suddenly, my life became a whirlwind of deadlines, lectures, and work shifts. I had to plan my days meticulously to fit everything in—work, school, sleep, socializing, and a bit of self-care. I quickly learned that the only way I could survive was by sticking to a routine.
Here’s what a typical day looks like for me:
- Morning: I wake up early enough to squeeze in some personal time—working out, showering, and my beloved skincare routine. This sets the tone for the day, making me feel like I’ve done something for myself before jumping into responsibilities.
- Classes: I’m lucky that all my classes are in the morning. By noon or 3 p.m., I’m done for the day. This frees up my afternoons for work, which is crucial for keeping things balanced.
- Afternoons: If I have a couple of hours before my nannying shift, I’ll grab lunch with my partner or friends, do some reading, or knock out a small homework assignment. Parks and libraries are my go-to spots for squeezing in study time.
- Evenings: After work, I either meet up with friends for dinner or head home to relax with a movie and a good meal. My evenings are sacred; they’re my time to unwind and recharge.
- Weekends: This is when I tackle most of my big study deadlines. By handling assignments early, I can avoid last-minute panic and still carve out time to be, well, a 19-year-old.
It took a lot of trial and error to find this rhythm. My first year at university was nothing like this. I had never worked a day in my life, and I was completely free to enjoy my new environment, soaking up the excitement of being at Richmond. Honestly, I didn’t even understand what discipline meant back then—I was spoiled by the freedom of not having to worry about anything beyond attending classes.
But looking back, I realize that while it was fun, I wasn’t growing. I had no real responsibilities, no structure, and no idea how to handle the inevitable challenges that would come. Taking on a job changed all of that for me. It forced me to get organized and, more importantly, to mature.
Discipline and Motivation
The biggest lesson I’ve learned from balancing work and school is that discipline isn’t something that just magically appears—it’s something you must build over time. Now, I stay organized and motivated by creating daily routines and breaking my tasks down into manageable pieces. One trick I swear by is romanticizing the mundane.
Here’s what I mean: instead of dreading homework, I light a nice candle to make the environment more inviting. I treat myself to little things, like wearing a cute outfit to class or buying a bouquet of flowers on my way home from work. I also make time for fun—every Friday night, my partner and I go out for dinner to celebrate getting through another week.
These small moments make a huge difference. They keep me grounded and remind me that I’m not just a productivity machine—I’m also allowed to enjoy life, even when things are busy. Another thing that’s been a game-changer for me? ChatGPT. I use it to create schedules and stay organized. I’ll describe my daily tasks, goals, or even new habits I want to incorporate, and it generates a clear, efficient plan for how to do it all. It’s like having a personal assistant who knows how to structure my day perfectly.
But honestly, the best advice I’ve ever received is this: just get up and get it done. Everyone feels lazy or stressed sometimes, but the difference between success and failure is the ability to push through those feelings. It’s not about waiting for motivation—it’s about building the habit of getting things done even when you don’t feel like it.
Dealing with Stress and Keeping a Social Life
Stress is inevitable when you’re balancing a job and full-time studies, but I’ve learned a few tricks to manage it:
- Stay ahead of deadlines: As much as I can, I try to finish assignments before they’re due, which takes a huge weight off my shoulders. It also leaves me with more flexibility in case something unexpected comes up.
- Plan downtime: I’ve realized that if I don’t schedule time to relax, it won’t happen. So, I plan for it just like I plan for everything else. Whether it’s movie nights, dinner with friends, or simply doing nothing, I make sure I have time to recharge.
- Keep perspective: Yes, school and work are important, but they’re not everything. I make time for the people and activities that make me happy because they remind me that there’s more to life than assignments and deadlines.
Final Thoughts
Balancing full-time student life with a part-time job is tough, no doubt about it. But it’s also incredibly rewarding. I’ve learned discipline, time management, and resilience in ways I never would have if I had stayed in my comfort zone.
If you’re thinking about taking on work while studying or you’re already in the middle of it, know this: it’s okay to struggle sometimes. Just remember to keep going, stay organized, and take care of yourself. In the end, you’ll look back and be proud of how much you’ve grown.
