Internships are a great way to build up your CV and set yourself up for employment after university. They can offer you real life experience in your field, and a competitive edge when you enter the job market. However, juggling these new responsibilities with your uni work can be daunting. Here’s how I made it work for me by being able to balance my internship with my studies.
Finding the right internship to balance your studies with
Applying for internships is exciting: you get to see a small glimpse of what your life could be like in the future. But it’s important to remember that you don’t just have to be a good fit for the internship; the internship also has to be a good fit for you. Even your dream role will stress you out if it causes you to be spread too thin. So, pay attention to how flexible the hours are, how long the commute will take, and what the training will entail. You can clarify these points in your interview, too.
See also: Five Tips For Going Freelance After University
Setting up your workspace
If your internship is remote, it is important to separate your workspace from your living space. If your living space allows for it, ask your flatmates if you can use the common area during certain hours. Otherwise, separate your desk from your bed. You can do this mentally or even physically with the barrier of a blanket or floorspace. Shift gears between studying and working at mealtimes or by going for a quick walk.
If your internship is in person, carve out a space for yourself that feels comfortable. That may be a silent atmosphere or somewhere with a little more chatter. Put away social media, and bring along a water bottle to stay hydrated. Don’t be afraid to reach out to your supervisor. They may be able to help tailor your work environment to your individual needs.
Tracking your hours
You will be aware of how many hours you are working for your internship, but it’s hard to quantify this as part of your schedule unless you start tracking your study hours, too. Keep track of how many hours you spend in lectures and other prescribed activities, as well as how many hours you spend reading and working on assignments. You can record this on a digital spreadsheet or on paper. Once you do this, it will be easier to adjust your routine to avoid too much of the workload falling on a given day.
Depending on how long your internship is, this may be a simple matter of adjusting your schedule for a few weeks, or it could last a good portion of the academic year. Either way, as long as you enter the commitment with this mindset, and seek out support when you need it, you’re bound to do well. Good luck!
See also: Should You Get An Academic Planner?
