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How to Succeed in an Online Psychology Bachelor’s Program as a Working Adult

Female student at desk

Some reports show that up to 40% of college students work full-time. In other words, it’s not too late to go back to school, regardless of where you are in your life. 

By finishing your Bachelor’s degree once and for all, you open the door to more opportunities. Earning your Bachelor’s can help you gain access to a wider range of job titles, better pay, and the opportunity to continue on to higher education if you choose to do so.

Working adults bring strengths and advantages to the mental health profession. You’ve gained life experience through employment, which you can apply when you begin working with individuals and communities. The world needs people like you in the mental health field.

In this article, you’ll learn different tools that you can use to succeed in an online psychology Bachelor’s program as a working adult — and go on to earn your Master’s through the Bachelor’s-to-Master’s pathway at PAU.

Time management techniques

Mastering time management is one of the most important ways to succeed as a working adult in an online Bachelor’s program. Different time management strategies work for different students, but there are some proven strategies that have been successful for many working adults.

Time-blocking

Using a calendar, block out chunks of your time to dedicate to various tasks. Color-coding works well for some people. For example, you might use one color for hours focused on schoolwork, another spent at work, and yet another for personal appointments and leisure activities.

For time-blocking to be successful, it’s important to allocate all the time you’ll use, including buffer and commute times. For example,  if you have an online class in the evening, it’s unlikely you’ll be ready in seconds after finishing your work shift. Set aside time for things like commuting home, for eating a nourishing meal, resting, and setting up your laptop.

Task prioritization

Learn how to prioritize the different deadlines and tasks that you have in your life. One way to prioritize is to list every task you need to complete, along with its urgency, importance, and the effort required to complete it. 

Urgent tasks are time-sensitive, like an upcoming deadline. Important tasks have big consequences — for example, a midterm paper. Some tasks require more effort than others, so you may need to set aside more time for them.

Considering all three of these factors can help you decide which tasks need to be tackled first.

Use the Pomodoro technique

Distractions are a barrier that can get in the way of the effective utilization of your time. To overcome this, try the Pomodoro technique. This tried-and-tested time management technique explained below helps you break tasks into shorter intervals and naturally builds in breaks.

After you’ve prioritized your tasks, choose one to work on. Set a timer for 25 minutes, and focus on the task at hand. Once your timer goes off, take a 5-minute break — rest your brain, and look away from the screen. After you’ve completed 4 of these intervals, take a longer break of around 15 minutes.

Use AI & technology

Today, there are so many digital tools — including newer AI tools — that are at your disposal. These tech tools can help you organize every area of your life and stay on top of deadlines, study periods, and work shifts.

There are countless apps and tools out there. Some of the most popular ones include:

  • Evernote, Google Keep, Google NotebookLM, and other note-taking apps: These apps can make it easy for you to both take notes during lectures, turn written notes into podcasts, as well as jot down important reminders to yourself on the go.
  • Trello, Asana, and other task management apps: These tools keep track of your to-do list and deadlines, and help you prioritize tasks.
  • Otter.ai, Granola, and other transcription apps: If you need to record or transcribe online lectures to ease the pressure of accurate note-taking, these apps can help.
  • ChatGPT and more for basic research and ideation: AI language models like ChatGPT can quickly scan the internet for basic information and act as helpful thought partners as you develop ideas.

Take advantage of student support services and online programs

Most colleges and universities offer student support services to help you succeed. Take advantage of as many of these services as you can. They are there for you to use.

At Palo Alto University, we offer 1:1 personal academic counseling and guidance to help you stay on track and complete a Bachelor’s degree that will get you closer to your career goals. Our advisors are here to help you implement time management strategies and build a class schedule that works with your other commitments.

Our online evening classes also make it as easy as possible for you to continue working and/or meeting family obligations during the day.

Have clear boundaries

On top of these practical techniques, it’s also important to learn how to set and maintain boundaries when you’re balancing school and work. This can include both emotional and logistical limits.

For example, you may need to let your manager know that you’ll be taking courses in the evening. If they reach out to you after-hours for a non-emergency, it’s important to set a boundary: “I clocked out today at 6PM, and I’m in class now, which is important to me. I will get back to you tomorrow morning when I return to work.”

Having mental or emotional boundaries means finding ways to prevent the stress of work or family commitments from affecting your student life as much as possible. Let your colleagues and family members know how they can support you in this goal. For example, maybe a co-parent can take on family responsibilities while you’re taking evening courses.

Sample college schedule for a working adult

It’s completely possible to earn your Bachelor’s while working. Many successful PAU students work full-time, and our graduation rate is 80%, a full 25% above the national benchmark of 64%.

Here is a sample schedule for a working student at PAU who is completing their Bachelor’s degree in psychology. 

Takeaway

It’s not too late for you to go back to school and launch your career in mental health. As a working adult, you may need to make additional considerations, but using time management strategies and technological tools can help.

PAU’s Bachelor’s-to-Master’s pathway can get you on a fast-track to earning both degrees and launching your mental health career as quickly as possible. Thousands of PAU students are working adults just like you, and we’re dedicated to supporting you every step of the way.

Request a transcript review today to see how quickly you can earn your Bachelor’s degree and move on to the next step: a Master’s program.

Saya De MaraisAbout the Author

Saya Des Marais, MSW

Saya is an extensively published writer in the mental health space. She graduated with her Master in Social Work (MSW) in 2010 and worked as a therapist in a wide variety of community settings before becoming a writer. You can learn more about her on her website.