Managing your time and money while you’re in school takes focus and planning. However, by laying the groundwork with proper study and spending habits, as well as finding programs that can help cover tuition, you can reduce your student loan debt before you leave school.

Find Out About Tuition Reimbursement

Depending on your career choice, you may be able to find employment or an internship that offers tuition reimbursement. These reimbursements are often tied to later employment and may not come until after you graduate and receive any additional certification that your employer requires. For example, an intern with a CPA firm may receive partial tuition reimbursement upon finishing his or her accounting degree or be reimbursed for the cost of sitting the CPA exam. Nurses and other professionals that need to achieve board certification may find similar opportunities.

Find a Good Study Group

It is much easier to build good study habits if you surrounded yourself with others who practice them. If you’re struggling to find a way to focus and prepare for class, take a look around you. Do your roommates or people you generally hang out with have good study habits? Finding a study group can help you stay focused on your goals. Ask around after class to see if anyone is planning to find a place to study, and see if you can join the group. Observe the study habits of your classmates who are doing well, and ask if you can join them for exam prep or throughout the course. Good study habits are a learned skill. Learn from the best.

Manage Your Budget

For those who have roommates—televisions, noise, and too much socializing can get in the way of a successful studying schedule. Also, the utility payments for internet plus cable television can be prohibitive. Get rid of unnecessary distractions and things that you don’t need for financial reasons. If any of these distractions are affecting you, make time for healthy habits such as exercising, yoga and meditation. These strategies can protect both your bank balance and your spirit.

Be Ready to Step Back

If you need to take a sick day because you feel overwhelmed, it may be time to reduce your course load or work hours.

Another option is to find a part-time online tutoring job that you can do on your own schedule. 

The important thing is to balance your time in such a way that you don’t overwhelm yourself. Also, make sure to schedule time for yourself so that you can take care of your mental health.

Your biggest job as a working student is to keep your eyes on your goal. Yes, your schedule right now may be strict. However, with perseverance, you can finish school without taking on more debt than you can logically pay back.

Here’s another article you might enjoy: 3 Signs Your College Homework Routine Isn’t Working