Studying and Working Full Time In Australia (Expert Management Tips)

In today's competitive world, many individuals juggle the demands of studying and working full time. While this can be rewarding, it requires careful planning and effective time management to prevent burnout and ensure success in both areas. So, how to manage studying and working full time? 

This guide will explore practical strategies for tackling studying and working full time challenges. Read now.

What Does It Mean By Studying and Working Full Time for Australian Students?

The number of hours students can work is 48 hours per fortnight. Studying and working full-time as an Australian student typically means managing a full course load at a university or college and working a full-time job simultaneously. Here's a simple breakdown of what this entails:

• Full-Time Study: Usually, full-time study in Australia involves enrolling in a certain number of units or credit points per semester. This often means attending lectures tutorials, and completing assignments or projects. For most institutions like Adelaide University, you must be enrolled in at least 18 units across the academic calendar year to be considered a full-time student.

• Full-Time Work: Working full-time generally means committing 38 hours per week in Australia. This includes professional roles related to the student's field of study to casual, part-time and full time jobs like hospitality, retail, or administrative functions.

Is It Possible To Balance Work and Study Full Time?

Of course. However, combining both full-time study and work can be challenging due to the following:

• Time Management: Balancing class schedules, study time, work hours, and personal life requires excellent time management skills.

• Stress and Fatigue: Juggling academic responsibilities with work can be physically and mentally taxing. 

• Financial Management: While working full-time can provide financial stability, managing income alongside student expenses requires careful budgeting.

Therefore, consider working full time and studying part-time to mitigate your stress.

See more: what is work integrated learning

3 Challenges When Studying and Working Full-Time

Time Management

One of the primary challenges of balancing full-time work and study is managing your time effectively. With both responsibilities demanding significant hours daily, it becomes crucial to organize your schedule meticulously.

Image via Freepik

The key is to find a balance between work and academic assignments, classes, or exams. This often requires sacrificing entertaining activities and a highly disciplined approach to using your time. It's about more than finding enough hours in the day, but also ensuring that you're mentally and physically capable of maintaining this intense routine over an extended period.

Stress and Burnout

According to the Australian Psychology Society, 23% of Australians cope with mental health every year. Juggling full-time work and study can lead to high-stress levels and, eventually, burnout. This is because you're constantly operating at peak capacity, trying to meet the demands of two significant commitments. 

This continuous pressure can affect your mental health, leading to anxiety, exhaustion, and a reduced ability to concentrate or enjoy personal favorite activities. Here's a closer look at the consequences:

• Anxiety: The constant pressure can trigger anxiety, leading to worry, fear, and apprehension.

• Exhaustion: Burnout drains your energy reserves, depleting you physically and mentally. 

• Loss of motivation: You may lose interest in activities you once enjoyed, including hobbies and social interactions. 

Recognizing the signs of burnout early is crucial to preventing further damage and taking steps toward recovery. Here are some essential strategies:

• Set realistic goals: Don't overload yourself with unrealistic expectations. Break down large tasks into smaller, manageable steps.

• Learn to say no: Don't be afraid to decline additional commitments politely when you're already stretched thin.

• Prioritize self-care: Make time for activities you enjoy, such as exercise, relaxation, and spending time with loved ones.

• Seek professional help: If you're struggling to cope independently, don't hesitate to seek professional help from a therapist or counselor.

Limited Personal Time

Balancing full-time work and study inevitably cuts into personal time. This can affect relationships, hobbies, and overall life satisfaction. When most of your week is dedicated to working and studying, it leaves little room for social activities, family time, or self-care. 

This lack of personal time can lead to a feeling of missing out on life experiences and can strain personal relationships. Maintaining a healthy work-life-study balance requires a conscious effort and ensuring you're not neglecting your life's emotional and social aspects.

5 Tips For Students to Work and Study Full-Time

Mastering how to manage studying and working full time leaves international students quite a headache. Here are 5 working full time and studying part time tips you should know.

Effective Time Management

To effectively balance working full-time and studying part-time, one essential tip is to master time management. Utilizing a digital calendar, such as Google Calendar, can be incredibly helpful in organizing your schedule. Here's how you can use it:

• Work Hours: Input your full-time work hours into the calendar. This blocks out when you are unavailable for studying or other activities, providing a clear view of your work commitments.

• Class Timings: Add your part-time class schedules. This helps visualize the time dedicated to education and understand how it fits your work hours.

• Study Sessions: Allocate specific time slots for self-study. Consistency is key, so set these study sessions regularly and consider them non-negotiable appointments.

• Set Reminders: The reminder feature alerts you about upcoming classes, study sessions, and deadlines. This helps you stay on top of your tasks and ensure nothing gets overlooked.

Google Calendar. Image via Magical

This helps avoid overlap and ensures that work and study receive adequate attention. Remember, being realistic about what you can achieve in a given time frame is critical to avoid overcommitting.

Set Clear Priorities

The fact is, you can only handle limited tasks in a specific timeline. Hence, don’t put too much pressure on yourself. Knowing what to prioritize based on urgency and importance is how to start organizing your tasks in order. Here is an example: 

Image via Desktime

Don't just always think about how to make money. Concentrate on your studies at university first. This is because education will help you broaden your career opportunities in the future.

Utilize Downtime Wisely

Identify pockets of 'downtime' during your day and use them efficiently. For instance, you can listen to educational audiobooks or review flashcards between work tasks during your commute. These small things can add up to significant learning over time.

Seek Support and Communicate

Full time work and full time study sometimes overload your mental and physical health. Don't hesitate to seek support from your employer, professors, and peers. Tell them about your academic commitments and see if flexible work arrangements are possible. You can also come to the well-being hub at your university when you are stressed.

Wellbeing hub in Monash University. Image via Monash University

Many universities also offer clubs, centers, or services focused on mental health and wellness. These facilities often provide various resources, including counseling, therapy sessions, peer support groups, workshops, and informational resources about mental health. 

The goal of these services is to support students who may be dealing with mental health issues such as anxiety, depression, stress, and other related concerns.

Prioritize Health and Well-being

Sometimes, student life in Australia is hard. Balancing work and study can be challenging, but the outcomes are undeniably rewarded. However, it's important to remember that your health and well-being should always be your top priority. Here are some tips to help you achieve a healthy balance:

• Maintain a healthy diet

• Get adequate sleep

• Engage in regular physical activity

• Allocate time for relaxation

Frequently Asked Questions

Should I work while studying full-time?

Studies have shown that students can manage their full-time studies and work between 10 and 15 hours per week. If you work more than this, you may find it more stressful – and your research and results may suffer.

Can you work 40 hours a week while studying in australia?

According to the Department of Homefair, you can work up to 48 hours per fortnight (two weeks) while studying in Australia as an international student. This temporary relaxation of work restrictions was implemented on July 1, 2023, and will be reviewed in July 2024.

Is 20 hours a week full-time study in Australia?

Yes. According to the Department of Social Service, a full-time study is a minimum of 20 contact hours per week. A student needs to do only 15 contact hours per week, that is, 75% of a full-time workload, to qualify as a full-time student under Austudy

Balancing full time work and full time study can be challenging. Yet, achieving this balance is possible with effective strategies. You can successfully manage both aspects and achieve your academic and professional goals by prioritizing health and well-being through healthy habits. 

Remember, taking care of yourself comes first before thinking about studying and working full time. Visit SW Education to see more about international student life in Australia.