Working from home might seem easy, but it’s tough. Many people study or work from home now. It sounds nice to just get out of bed and start working, but it’s not that simple.
If you’re a student planning to work from home, here are some tips to do it well. Staying motivated and getting work done at home is important. Here’s how to make it easier for yourself.
9 best ways to work from home:
1. SET A WORKING FROM HOME ROUTINE
When you’re a student working from home, it’s important to create a routine. This means setting up a schedule for your work hours. Even though it might seem cool not to follow the strict hours of a regular job, not having a routine can mess up how much work you get done.
Decide when you’ll start working, take breaks, and finish for the day. Without a set schedule, you might end up working during your lunch break and staying up way too late because you’ve been putting off work all day.
If you can, take a short walk or go for a jog before you start working. It’s a great way to get your body moving.
Think of working at home just like you would going to an office job—don’t stay in your pajamas. Even though it’s tempting, getting dressed every day can help you feel more ready to work and keeps you from spending the whole day in front of the TV.
2. LOOK FOR WAYS TO STAY MOTIVATED
Working from your cozy bed might seem awesome, but it needs self-discipline. No one will wake you up or get mad if you miss your work time, which sounds great. And there’s no one watching if you slack off during the day, which is also good.
But it also means there’s no one to support you if you’re not doing well with deadlines or the quality of your work isn’t good enough. You’ve got to be in charge of yourself when you work from home.
Your housemates might be having fun or there might be cool stuff on social media, but you have to resist distractions. If you lose focus, your work might not turn out as good as it could be, both in quality and how much you get done.
3. TIME MANAGEMENT ON SOCIAL MEDIA
We spend a bunch of time on our phones. It’s so easy to check out what’s happening on Instagram or keep scrolling through TikTok. But, social media can be a big distraction. Sometimes, you don’t even realize how much time goes by.
To keep focused, try putting your phone on silent and placing it face down. Even better, switch on airplane mode to avoid any interruptions.
You don’t have to completely avoid social media all day. It’s good for staying updated. Try making a rule: check it only once every hour and not for more than three minutes each time. There are even apps that can help you do this.
If you find it really tough to stay away, there are tools you can add to your web browser that’ll block social media sites. They can help you stay more focused on your work.
4. DO NOT SPEND MOST OF YOUR TIME ALONE
Working from home as a student gives you a lot of freedom. You can easily hang out with friends for a coffee or have them over for lunch. But sometimes, working alone can get pretty lonely. It’s important to take care of yourself and spend time with others.
We suggest going out to work in a nearby library or cafe. It’s a great way to be around people instead of staying alone in your house all day. Sitting in front of your computer for long hours can affect how you feel. Getting fresh air and talking to others can really help your mental health and overall well-being.
5. DO NOT WORK FOR SO MANY HOURS AT HOME
When your work means being at home and glued to your computer, time tends to slip away faster than you realize. Setting specific work hours each day is crucial. This is especially true if you’re juggling a part-time job while studying for your degree.
University programs often recommend a maximum of around 15 hours per week for term-time jobs. This way, you can still focus on your studies without feeling overwhelmed.
If your job is at home and you’re a student, finding the right balance between work and study is key. Otherwise, you might end up spending way too much time at your desk.
Starting with a lower number of work hours is a good idea. You can then gradually increase if you feel comfortable handling more. This approach allows you to manage your workload effectively without feeling overloaded.
6. PRACTICE HEALTHY EATING WHILE WORKING
When you work from home, watching what you eat can be tricky. If you keep lots of cookies and chips nearby, it might lead to eating too much without even realizing it. Try to pay attention to what and how much you eat. It’s good to have foods that help your brain, like hearty breakfasts and proper lunches, so you won’t feel like snacking all the time.
Planning your meals ahead the night before can save time and help you eat healthier. This way, you won’t spend too much time cooking during the day.
7. BE A SELF-STARTER
Universities and companies usually offer support for remote work, but it doesn’t mean they’ll be there when you’re tired at 3 am and lost about what to do. If you face a problem, you can send an email for help. But it’s good to try fixing it on your own if you can.
You can search online, check your books, ask friends or coworkers, and try different things until you solve it. Being organized and planning your work early is super important. This way, you have time to deal with any issues before your deadline.
8. FIND THE SUITABLE WORK FROM HOME JOB FOR YOU
Want to earn money from home while you’re in or after college? You need a job for that. Finding an online job needs the same effort as finding any other job. If you don’t take it seriously, you might not make much money.
Here’s a good start: we’ve got a tool to search for part-time jobs. Also, sites like WorkInStartups are great. Startups might not have many resources but they often want remote workers.
If you’re interested in freelancing, we’ve got a guide for that. It covers everything you need to know and how to get different projects.
Not sure what work-from-home jobs to look for? We’ve got a list that can help you with some ideas.
Jobs students can do from home:
- 1. Writing online
- 2. Tutoring online
- 3. Customer service
- 4. Virtual assistant tasks
- 5. Transcribing
- 6. Translating (good if you know another language)
- 7. Proofreading
9. BEWARE OF FAKE JOB ADVERTS
Finding the perfect work-from-home job is exciting, but there’s a crucial rule to remember: if a job seems too good to be true, it likely is. Those ads promising £70 per hour might not be the real deal, especially if you’re just starting out and don’t have specialized skills.
Scammers often target students and fresh graduates seeking online jobs. To safeguard yourself, take some important steps.
Start by researching any company offering a job. Look them up online before you apply. Legitimate opportunities usually involve at least a phone interview before you’re hired. Also, check their office location on Google. If the address turns out to be a kebab shop when you look it up, well, chances are it is a kebab shop. And let’s be honest, working from home for a kebab shop might not be feasible.
Stay vigilant and remember, real opportunities often require real qualifications and realistic pay. If something feels off or too good to be true, take a step back and investigate further before diving in.