How to Juggle an Internship While in College
Carrying a full load of college courses is challenging enough without the added pressures of an internship. However, you can use the best college internships to gain hands-on experience in your chosen field and land a job after graduation.
The good news is that you don’t have to choose between your education and your career advancement efforts. It won’t be easy, but with a few expert tips and a lot of perseverance, you can learn to balance internship responsibilities with your course load.
Plan Your Class Schedule
You may be used to planning your class schedule around your preferred sleep times or the time of day when you work best. If you’re searching for internships near me this semester, you’ll need to craft a schedule that allows you to work at your internship during business hours.
This can be easy for courses with many sections meeting at multiple times during the day. However, it gets more challenging if you need to take a specialized course that’s only offered in the fall or spring or has one section that meets during internship hours. Make sure to speak with your advisor about creating a class schedule that works without sabotaging your expected graduation date.
Stick to a Realistic Routine
If you’re trying to figure out how to get an internship without failing all your classes, you’ll need to create a routine that works for you. Sit down one weekend when you’re relaxed and map out each day of the upcoming week. Start by marking off your internship hours and class time, and then build in time for homework, study, extracurriculars, and social events.
As you build your routine, be open to the fact that you may need to get up earlier than usual to accomplish everything you need to do during the day. Juggling an internship and college classes requires responsibility and tenacity, and setting a routine will help you rise to the challenge.
Find a Workable Planning System
While you may be able to keep your entire calendar and daily to-do list in your head, doing so makes it much more likely that you will forget something. Even if you’re going for a summer internship when class loads are less intense, it’s a good idea to use a digital or physical planning system.
You may prefer something with a color-coded calendar or space to write a schedule each day. Either way, devise a planning system you will stick to and one you can easily engage with during the day. If you’re worried about affording a planning system, know that free apps like Google Calendar can help you get organized for free.
Take Advantage of Downtime
If you want to get everything you need done over the course of your day, you may have to learn how to think outside the box and multitask. For example, bring your homework or textbook with you to your internship and commit to working on academics during your lunch break. Those who take public transportation can also use travel time to study.
If you’re normally watching television or surfing the internet at night, you can take advantage of that time to receive extra tutoring or work on school projects. This will help you use your time more efficiently as you pursue academic and professional success.
Be Honest and Ask for Help
If you find that you have done everything you can but are still overwhelmed, don’t be afraid to reach out for help. Colleges understand that navigating even the best college internships and college can be daunting, and most have resources to help take the burden off your shoulders.
For example, you may need to speak with your advisor about dropping a class or two. You may also need to take advantage of tutoring or counseling services that can help you get your academics or personal life back on track. If your internship overwhelms you, prepare yourself for the professional world by learning some communication skills and talking to your supervisor about setting boundaries.
Make Time for Self-Care
Juggling an internship while in college can be very stressful. If you don’t make time to care for yourself, it will become much easier for you to burn out.
Avoid this fate by eating well and getting rest. Schedule time for both solitude and seeing friends on the weekend. If it’s helpful, meditate or exercise in the morning to help you start your day. When you prioritize yourself, you’ll be much less overwhelmed.
Time Management and Realistic Goals: The Keys to Your Success
If you are thinking about how to get an internship while you’re still in college, having good time management is vital. You’ll have to take advantage of every opportunity to be productive while still making time for the things that bring you joy.
While this can be a challenge, it is doable. Remain optimistic about your future but realistic about the path you’ll take to get there. Plan well, understand your limitations, and get help when you need it. With some careful decision-making and a lot of perseverance, you’ll be able to overcome your obstacles and find success.