Yes, juggling college responsibilities with running a start-up is possible. Today, some of the most famous CEOs are excellent examples, such as Mark Zuckerberg of Facebook and Michael Dell of Dell Computers. But balancing your entrepreneurial ambitions with schoolwork calls for a level of dedication and discipline that many students find difficult to attain, jettisoning their start-ups. Do you find yourself in a similar situation? Is the weight of college responsibilities threatening your entrepreneurial dream? Here are some ways to juggle both worlds and succeed.
Determine your priorities
Take the time to identify your long-term and short-term career goals and how your current education fits them. Do you see your business growing after school? Is your current school work affecting your business and vice versa? Why is staying in school so important? Determining your priorities can be difficult, but answering questions like these can help you identify your goals.
Pick the right courses
Know your limitations regarding how much schoolwork you can handle without breaking down. That means picking the right number of courses. For example, the last thing you want to do is register for the maximum number of course credits each semester, as that may place too much burden on you. Also, try to identify courses that’ll impact your businesses and sign up for them where possible.
Make use of school resources
In school, you’ll have access to numerous resources to help your business. For example, if there are tutors knowledgeable in your business field, you can speak to them for guidance. You can also use the school’s library for research and take advantage of free student WiFi, computers, and anything free that’ll help you run your start-up. Also, spread the word about your business on campus and build an early customer base. Your first customers in school will help you learn a lot about the changes you need to make before your start-up goes big-time.
Plan your time
Time management is crucial and probably your biggest challenge. You might need to make sacrifices regarding your extracurricular activities and take advantage of every little time you get to be productive. You can also use scheduling apps and automation software to help you plan effectively. And don’t forget to give yourself enough rest
Prepare your mind for the challenge
You can’t have a defeatist mentality when starting a business, regardless of how tough it gets. So you want to prepare your mind to think positively no matter what. Having a positive mindset includes believing in yourself, your business idea, and the future it offers. You’ll face several challenges and naysayers, but your mindset is what will keep you going.
Social life is still important
You can source the social capital you need from a healthy social life in school. You also need to find healthy ways to deal with any social event that might dampen your entrepreneurial zeal, whether losing a relationship or a loved one. You can use meditations, healthy hobbies, and even funeral prayer cards to help you deal with losing loved ones.
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