This is the real world, and competition is stiff and getting even harder every day. It is getting to a point where one cannot compete with other competitors in the job world. If we look around, we can see that even after completing higher education, the majority of people are jobless, or if they get a job, they are bound to work on a lower salary than their expectation. There are several factors at play, but the most common one is a lack of proper skills. In today’s fast-paced world, relying solely on academics might not be enough to achieve success.
It may sound quite challenging to keep a balance between the academic aspect and the skills aspect of learning. With coursework, projects, tests, academic studies, assignments, thesis work, and everything in between, trying to develop yourself professionally or personally might seem daunting.
However, gaining new skills while still being a student can do more than prepare you for your future profession; it can teach you time and self-management, too, and make you a more rounded person.
In this blog, I will share some tips on how to build skills while juggling your academic workload.
Identify your interests
To begin with, you have to identify your interest. Depending on what you enjoy, what field you wish to enter, and why you wish to enter it, you will then determine what you wish to be proficient in. For example:
If you’re in engineering, learning coding or 3D modeling could complement your coursework. If you’re studying business, mastering digital marketing or entrepreneurship might help in practical scenarios.
If you’re passionate about music or art, developing your creative abilities could become a future career path.
Understanding your interests can help you stay motivated, and skills that directly relate to your field can provide valuable experience for future jobs. Do not just aim to earn money; aim to do what you love.
Set your goals
Setting clear and achievable goals is mandatory in balancing skill development with your studies. Consider how long you want to learn the skill you’ve chosen and how well you’ll learn it, and set a specific goal. As an example:
If you want to learn a new language, set a daily goal for learning a specific number of new words.
Similarly, if you’re interested in graphic design, start by mastering the basics of tools like Adobe Photoshop or Adobe Illustrator before moving on to advanced techniques.
Create a proper plan
Balancing your academic tasks and skill development must require proper time management. Make a proper plan. You can make a routine so that you can give enough time for academic studies as well as skill development. Utilize your leisure properly. Try not to waste small pockets of free time.
Leverage the correct platform
Nowadays, there are so many learning resources around us. Some of them are Coursera, Udemy, Udacity, edX, and LinkedIn Learning. These platforms offer a wide range of courses on various topics. Don’t focus too much on learning resources at a time. Discuss with specialists and then choose the perfect platform for you.
Consistency is the key to success
Regular practice is important for developing a skill. Spend a little time each day learning. Perseverance is necessary. Be patient and stay consistent.
To read more blogs like this, click here.
Writer
Ferdous Ara Rimi
Intern
Content Writing Department
YSSE.