Being a working student is a challenge in and of itself. On top of that, there are other responsibilities waiting for you at home, such as chores, bills, meals, and all that jazz. Because of this, it’s no wonder many working students often get burnt out by the stress of all their responsibilities.
If you want to avoid getting overwhelmed, here is how you can manage your home while being a working student:
1. Get renter’s insurance
If you rent an apartment or own a condo, get a renter’s insurance or H06 insurance. If you don’t know what HO6 insurance is, it’s a type of homeowner’s insurance meant specifically for condo owners.
Renter’s insurance provides a certain degree of liability protection against lawsuits for property damage or injury caused by yourself, your guests, or your pets. Most landlords typically require that you have renter’s insurance before you can move in. But even if you’re not required to have one, getting insurance is beneficial for your finances and peace of mind.
2. Plan your meals
When done right, meal planning can save you both time and money. List down your meals for each day of the week, including snacks. Then, create your grocery list so that you only have to go food shopping once a week.
By planning your meals, you can also have an easier time sticking to your food budget. Moreover, it will decrease your take-out meals or food deliveries, helping you save more money and have a healthier diet.
3. Spot clean
Sparing a few minutes to wipe the counter or rinse the tub every night is better than having to spend hours on chores on the weekends, especially for a busy working student like you. Since dust, dirt, and residue won’t build up on surfaces, cleaning them will be much easier and quicker.
Similarly, clean up messes immediately after you make them. In this way, you can keep your house clean and minimize the chores that you have to do at the same time.
4. Create a schedule
Create a doable schedule for your rotating household tasks, such as doing the laundry, cleaning, grocery shopping, and meal prepping. This will help you stay on top of your chores and errands without sacrificing your time for school and work, especially if you have a million other things to do. If you have a roommate, create a task quota so each of you does their fair share of work.
5. Use your free time wisely
While it’s tempting to stay in bed all day on your day off from work and school, don’t ignore your household responsibilities lest you want to squeeze them into your schedule during the week. Spare a few hours to clean your home and run errands before you plop down in front of the TV.
Better yet, multi-task! If you have to run errands, bring a friend with you so you can socialize at the same time. If you’re doing chores at home, listen to a podcast, or read a book while the washing machine is running.
Being a working student is hard. But ignoring your other responsibilities can make life even harder. Use these life hacks to help ease the load of working and studying. And when you’re feeling overwhelmed, remember to take a break and recoup.
