If youa��re looking to upskill during your dental hygienist career, finding the time to complete a diploma program can sometimes feel daunting. You may have an existing job which already takes up much of your day, or even have other commitments like family and friends that can make your time a precious commodity.
Fortunately, while study/life balance can be challenging, ita��s certainly possible. Here are some helpful ways in which you can effectively merge your studies into an already busy lifestyle!
1. Make a Study Plan and Stick to It
One key aspect of time management is to create a plan and stick to it. Ita��s important to prioritize your assignments, and check if there is any work which is due soon. To help you stay on top of your coursework, you can write down important deadlines on a calendar at home. Or, if youa��re often on-the-go, using a notepad app on your phone can help you stay on track and manage your time effectively. In fact, some apps might even include helpful reminders to ensure that you dona��t forget a deadline.
2. Your Health and Your Studies Can Co-Exist
The time dedicated to studies at restorative hygiene college shouldna��t come at the cost of decreased sleep and reduced physical activity. A healthy body leads to a healthy mind, so ita��s important to avoid cutting out proper sleep and exercise during your studies.
While it can be tempting to forgo exercise in favour of a few extra study sessions, or even pull an all-nighter to try to get ahead, studies have shown that ita��s best to avoid these options. In fact, regular exercise can even improve your memory! By taking care of your own health, youa��ll be better prepared for remembering lessons when you do sit down for a study session.
3. Avoid Distractions as You Study to Become a Restorative Dental Hygienist
Tapping into social media has become a common feature of our daily lives. However, it can be damaging to your studies. Thata��s why as you study to become a restorative dental hygienist, ita��s important to resist the temptation to check social media during study time. Dona��t allow social media to intrude, and turn the notifications off on your phone when studying. If you still dona��t feel like temptation can be resisted, place your phone out of reach.
Also try to make sure that distracting websites are not opened as tabs on your internet browser when carrying out work on your laptop. This way, youa��ll be able to focus on the task at hand, and make sure that your study sessions are effective.
4. Dona��t Be Afraid to Ask for a Helping Hand
Part of effective time management includes delegating tasks so that you have the time you need to focus on your studies. You can encourage your partner and kids to take on a few additional chores. Or you could ask a roommate for a bit of leeway on household tasks, and offer to catch up once your schedule is a little less busy.
It can also be helpful to turn to instructors and fellow students, as well as family and friends, for motivation during your studies. You can even ask them to offer some encouragement when you dona��t feel like studying. You may need a slight push some days to start your work, but that effort will be well worth it once you graduate with your diploma.
These tips will serve you well as part of studies for a dental hygiene diploma.
If youa��re interested in learning more, check out what the Canadian Academy of Dental Health & Community Sciences (CADH) has to offer!
