The Nurse's Guide to Balancing Work and OET Classes

Preparing for the Occupational English Test is easy if you have a lot of time on your hands. Just enroll in the best OET center in your area, and you'll be on your way to getting your grade goal! However, what if you’re currently employed?

The Challenge of Balancing Work and OET Classes

Striking a balance between your work and personal commitments is already a difficult task all on its own; what more if OET review is added into the mix? 

The stakes are high on both sides. You can’t let your work performance suffer just so you could attend your OET classes. Lives are literally on the line in your occupation. On the other hand, you can’t miss a single review session if you want to get your grade goal. So, how should you prepare for the exam?

10 Tips on How to Study While Working

Don’t worry. You don't have to go on a work hiatus to prepare for the OET exam. Just follow these tips to balance your work and test preparations.

1. Know your work schedule. Determine which work shifts are the most and the least tiring so you'll have an idea when to (and when not to) conduct intensive OET review. 

2. Set your priorities straight. Reschedule or let go of activities that are inessential to your work and test preparations.

3. Create an OET checklist. List down all the things you need to study, master, and accomplish before your test date. Set deadlines for each one. 

4. Know your limits. If you know your mind or body is too tired to function properly, don't force yourself to study.

5. Keep your stress level in check. Take frequent study breaks and make sure you do at least one thing that you enjoy every day.

6. Break down ambitious study goals. Acknowledge that there are things that you can't master in a single review session. Chunk them down into more doable tasks and distribute them evenly throughout your review period.  

7. Stay organized. Not only in your OET review, but in all aspects of your life. Have a place for everything and keep everything in its place to save time and enhance mental clarity. 

8. Take care of yourself. Eat healthy foods, stay hydrated, exercise regularly, and sleep at least six hours every day. Remember, a healthy body contributes to a healthy mind. 

9. Get into the right mindset before each study session. Review your lectures notes and scored language exams. If your review center gave you a course syllabus, check out what’s going to be tackled in your next OET classes and read up on them. 

10. Don't multitask. Concentrate on one task at a time. Avoid thinking or doing anything unrelated to OET during your review sessions.

Set yourself up for OET success! Use these tips to make the most out of your preparation period without compromising your work performance. 

REFERENCES:
"10 Life Balance Tips for Working Students—Online College Blog." Patten University. April 07, 2016. Accessed January 30, 2018. http://patten.edu/10-work-life-balance-tips-from-the-working-students-playbook/.

Martynes, Shivaun. "10 Must-Have Time Management Tips for Working Students." IntelliTec Colleges. January 14, 2017. Accessed January 30, 2018. http://www.intelliteccollege.com/blog/182/10-must-have-time-management-tips-for-working-students/.

Pop, Alexandru. "Helpful Tips for Combining Study and Work." DistanceLearningPortal. March 03, 2017. Accessed January 30, 2018. https://www.distancelearningportal.com/articles/793/helpful-tips-for-combining-study-and-work.html.

Ramos, Poyen. "6 Tips on How to Manage Life as a Working Student." Kalibrr Career Advice. April 25, 2017. Accessed January 30, 2018. https://www.kalibrr.com/advice/2017/04/6-tips-on-managing-life-as-a-working-student/.


"Top 10 Tips on How to Study While Working." SkillsYouNeed. Accessed January 30, 2018. https://www.skillsyouneed.com/rhubarb/study-while-working-tips.html.

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