We often think of "learning" in very narrow terms: it is what we do in school, and once we have got our college degree, the learning phase is over-it is time to work.

Of course, things are not really that black and white. We carry on learning after we have left school, and not just in our careers but in every aspect of our lives. And learning often does not equate to take qualifications or passing exams. Approached the right way, learning is not a process of ticking boxes on a curriculum or course outline-it is about exploration, growth and enrichment.

Is it the ending of your learning career after you graduated from college or university? The answer is absolutely "not". The more you learn, the more you will be able to make connections between pieces of knowledge, and the more creative you will become.

It is been a couple of years since I graduated from college, but I never stop learning .Nursing is my current job. I work at a medical center which provides bilingual services. There are more opportunities for me to communicate with patients and doctors in English. That pushes me to study English further English and make more progresses in spoken English.

Luckily, this year, I became one student of the Institute Online Education of Beijing Foreign Language Studies University. It is a completely new method for me to study online. It is not easy for adults to work while studying. Studying online provides new options for part-time students, especially adults with different needs and interests, instead of sitting in a traditional classroom. Students participate in online classes using computers with an internet connection to interact with teachers and classmates nationwide and even worldwide. Students may take online courses in addition to traditional courses or complete an entire course of study online leading to a degree. However, for a working student, how to make good use of online studying resources,and how to accomplish an ideal condition of working while study? Here are some tips that I summarized through my long study experience. I would love to share with all of you who are working and studying at the same time. Hopefully it can help you a bit.

Time management

Don’t be afraid to say no to people

The most effective way to study while working is you have an ability of time management. The first step is to understand what you can realistically handle. Then, be honest about what you do and do not have time and energy to follow through with, in terms of social, work-related and scholastic activities.

Don't postpone: You need to allow yourself plenty of time for both work and school assignments so as not to create too much stress in your life caused cramming at the last minute. Even if the deadline for an assignment seems far away, start it immediately. You may just finish early and have one more item you can cross off your busy- to- do list.

Don't take too many courses at one time: It is not a big problem if you take a bit longer than normal to get your degree. Remember, you can attend school year-round. It is better to do one course at a time.

Be organized

Keep your school materials organized and in one place so that it would be easy to find them. Mark upcoming deadlines on your calendar and start school projects early to allow sufficient time to complete them in case other things come up in the meantime. If you are taking several courses at once, do not spend all of your time on one course while other deadlines begin to loom on the horizon.

Create a flexible schedule and stick to it

Some parts of your schedule are going to be inflexible, such as class times and work days. Fit assignment and studying in when you are either not in class or not at the office. Build a schedule that you can stick to, but are able to adjust if other important things come up. As a working student, you have to be ready to adapt to new assignments, unexpected errands, and sudden work crises that need to be addressed immediately. Make enough study time in your schedule so that if something urgent happens, you can shift it into another slot during the week.

Stress management

Stress is an inevitable part of being a student and a worker. You must make sure that you set aside adequate time to rest and sleep. You will not function as effectively if you do not make time for enough sleep. You may think staying up helps you get more done, in the long run, it slows you down and causes stressed. Taking good care of yourself helps you perform at your best.

Primary reason to do it

By taking on work and studies at the same time, you are accepting a challenge that most people do not dare to attempt. But, you would not be doing it if you did not have strong reasons and motivation. Keep your goals in mind, it is no use looing back and wandering apart from moving forward.

Enjoy your life

Life is short. Do not get bogged down by the demands of your academic and professional life. Take time to experience the world around you and appreciate your relationships in life. Undoubtedly, studying and working is not all your life. They are only parts of your life. Read some books, do some exercises, and take time to stay with your family and close friends.

北京总部学习中心 朱佳红