7 Essential Tips For Running A Business While Studying

Many of the world’s largest companies were founded by determined and ambitious students. While most people already know of Mark Zuckerberg, the man who created Facebook from his Harvard dorm room, there are plenty of other examples. From Microsoft to Google, and even FedEx, a lot of the companies that you encounter daily were thought up and launched by someone studying at college or university. Make no mistake, however, starting a business of your own isn’t going to be easy. With that in mind, here are seven essential tips that you must know. 

1. Always Have A Plan

Success rarely comes to those that sit back and wait for it to happen. To achieve anything significant in life, you must have a plan for it. This means taking the time to set realistic targets both for the business and your schoolwork. These might include the projected profits and your expected grades. You must then come up with smaller goals that are required to achieve those larger ones. Sticking to work and study schedules will help to keep you on track with them. 

2. Pick The Right Course

Many entrepreneurs still studying at college or university first assume it best to keep their school and business as two separate entities. As most people should know, after all, multitasking is a huge productivity killer. Taking a course related to your business in some way, however, can be beneficial. By expanding your knowledge base and skills in this way, you are able to practice for both entrepreneurship and your schoolwork, regardless of what you’re working on at the time. 

3. Work From The House

When you have such big responsibilities on your plate, flexibility can help a great deal. This is why you should consider tackling your whole workload from the comfort of your own house. While most entrepreneurs launch their businesses from home anyway, you might want to try distance learning too. Taking a degree online, with an institution like Rutgers, means that you can study whenever you like. This makes it much easier for you to plan a productive schedule. 

4. Spend Your Time Wisely

Never again in your life will you have as much spare time as students do when in college or university. This is what makes it the perfect place to launch your own venture. The trouble is, students are infamous for their party lifestyles. Because you don’t have much responsibility, you could go out every night and roll back in just before the morning lecture. To achieve both your business and school goals, you must spend this time more wisely and go out less often. 

5. Use Any Available Resources

Whatever you need for your business, whether it be equipment, guidance, or support, you should ask your school for help first. All educational institutions want is for their students to leave being as employable as possible. For this reason, most will do everything that they can to help you succeed. Some colleges and universities even offer grants as startup capital. If there is no other way your school can help you, the least you can do is take advantage of your student discount.

6. Have A Support Network

Studying is stressful at the best of times, as is running a business of your own. When you combine the two, therefore, it can take quite a toll. This is why you must make sure that you have the right support around you. Some friends and relatives won’t understand why you want to study and do business at the same time, but they must be on board with the idea. You won’t be the only studying entrepreneur out there, so find others like you and turn to them for help and advice.

7. Take Care Of Yourself

It’s impossible to work efficiently when you’re feeling physically and emotionally drained. Rather than run yourself into the ground, therefore, you must work to improve your overall health. You can start by getting at least eight hours of sleep each night. It might not be easy with all that you’ve got going on, but it’s vital nonetheless. You must also cook nutritious meals for yourself and find time for regular exercise. If you’re lucky, the school might have a free gym. 

Being an entrepreneur is not an easy gig, especially when studying at the same time. As challenging as it can be, however, it isn’t impossible. As long as you take care of yourself and spend your time wisely, there’s no reason why you can’t have it all.