How flexible studying can help your work-life balance

In this article, Nyenrode Business University explains the benefits of flexible, part-time learning for busy individuals. They also gives you useful tips and advice on how to improve your work-life balance, without compromising on progress or productivity.

Many people these days are taking on multiple responsibilities at the same time: think of a full-time university student working part-time as a waiter in a restaurant, or of a full-time employee taking evening classes to advance their careers.

On top of all of that, these individuals have to make sure that they are eating, sleeping and taking adequate care of themselves. Not to mention, trying to balance a social life and family commitments as well!

Why choose a part-time programme?

Part-time education programmes are ideal for anyone looking to gain a new skill or knowledge at a more relaxed pace. These part-time programmes tend to be more flexible and designed to cater to people who have other commitments.

Some of the benefits of a flexible programme are:

Flexibility

Part-time programmes offer more flexible schedules and class times for their students. This is especially ideal for those with full-time jobs, families or other time-consuming obligations as the pace is more relaxed.

Further, many part-time programmes today offer online alternatives, making it easier for students to learn from the comfort of their own homes. This can cut down on travel time and allow students to attend class more easily.

Working while you study

The biggest advantage of a part-time programme is obviously the ability to work while you study. This is ideal for those who already have jobs and who don't want to scale back their hours for a programme.

On the other hand, some people want to gain some work experience before they graduate. In this case, working students have an advantage over those who studied full-time without working.

Financial independence

Many full-time students in the Netherlands do not have time in their busy academic schedules to work more than a few hours per week alongside their studies. Consequently, many Dutch students are supported by their families and / or receive student finance from the Dutch government to pay for their studies and living expenses.

However, if you do not have the option of borrowing money from the government or relying on family members, then studying part-time may be right for you. A part-time programme gives you the space to work simultaneously, allowing you to support yourself during your studies.

Gaining new skills

Part-time learning allows you to further develop your skills and knowledge in your area of interest. Whether you're thinking of switching industries or looking to get a promotion, a part-time programme can give you a leg-up against the competition and can be a great asset to your career.

Here are a few areas of study that you can focus on in a part-time programme:

• Accounting
• Data analysis
• Entrepreneurship
• Leadership
• Marketing
• Programming
• Teaching

No matter what your current situation is, learning a new skill has many benefits for your professional and personal life. Not only will your CV get a boost, but you will also gain useful knowledge that you can apply to your everyday life. 

Flexible MBA is a solution

Part-time learning can open a world of opportunities for people who want to grow and develop their knowledge and skills. One great solution is a flexible MBA programme that is tailored to your specific needs and goals as a current (or potential) business professional.

Whether you want to study for one or two years part-time, a flexible MBA ensures that your education is built around your life, not the other way around.

Are you interested in furthering your education? Nyenrode Business University recently launched its new Impact MBA programme, in which you can choose to study a one-year Fast Track or two-year Executive Track. With the unique flexibility to switch to online learning throughout the program via their new online education hub. This enables you to gain work experience and learn at the same time. Visit their website today for more information about the MBA.