BALANCING WORK AND STUDY: HOW SOUTH AFRICAN ACCA STUDENTS CAN MANAGE BOTH.

Are you an ACCA student in South Africa who finds it draining in balancing work and study together? Well, I guess now you are in the right place.

As much as it is exhausting, it is also very important for achieving success in both areas. To ace in both studies as well as career an individual must follow effective strategies and effective time management.

CHALLENGES IN BALANCING WORK AND STUDY IN SOUTH AFRICA FOR AN ACCA STUDENT:

ACCA qualification requires strenuous efforts and deep understanding in the areas of finance, complex accounting and business strategies which also indicates that the academic demands of ACCA are high. It means that apart from regular working hours the student must give a significant amount of time to studies as well. Financial and Economic pressure is also one of the biggest challenges South African students have to face as the high unemployment rate and job security is also a concern in South Africa which results in students feeling pressurized in maintaining full-time jobs, at times in underpaid or stressful positions too. Lack of employer support also plays a vital role in creating stressful situations in a working student’s life, especially regarding study leaves and fewer working hours during exams. These challenges like balancing work and study are often faced by ACCA students in South Africa but again when there is a will there is a way.

UNDERSTANDING THE DEMANDS OF ACCA STUDIES IN SOUTH AFRICA:

 ACCA (Association of Chartered Certified Accountants) acknowledged as the high-profile qualification all over the globe. The completion time of the qualification varies by the study pace of every individual, but typically it takes around 3-4 years to complete the full program. Candidates have to clear 13 exams, along with exams the students must complete three years of professional experience in the relevant field to qualify for ACCA membership. The bonus point of ACCA qualification is the time flexibility;  it offers four exam sittings throughout the year and the option to either opt for part-time learning or distance learning can be simpler for full-employed workers.

TIME MANAGEMENT STRATEGIES FOR WORKING ACCA STUDENTS:

To manage ACCA studies along with work commitments one must have strong time management strategies and a balance between professional and academic life. Following are some of the tips students of ACCA can follow:

  • A detailed study plan:

Try to distribute the course content into small chunks to focus on specific ones at a time. Prioritize the topics you find more difficult or the areas that contain more exam weight. Make a schedule for your assignments, deadlines and exam dates.

  • Use the Time blockage technique:

Set a specific part of your day dedicated to studying only and stick to it no matter what. No personal or professional commitments should be entertained during those hours. Short blocks of time you get during work breaks, commutes and lunch breaks try to utilize it in revising your syllabus, listening to webinars or seminars of ACCA. In this way, balancing work and study gets easier.

  • Be realistic about your limits:

While planning for balancing work and study hours make sure to analyze your peak energy hours; when you feel more energetic and fresh. To be more productive one should not compromise rest, so make sure you get enough sleep, exercise and relaxation as burning out yourself might not be very helpful in producing desired results.

  • Utilize technology:

ACCA qualification is a well-acknowledged certification that provides numerous online platforms and institutions that provide structured courses, revision aids and practice exams making it easier in balancing work and study together. 

  • Stay consistent:

A prestigious qualification such as ACCA also demands consistency along with commitment. Being consistent with your studies today can result in a rewarded career tomorrow.

  • Work-Study integration:

If your job is in a related field to accounting and finance, you may apply the theoretical knowledge you get from your syllabus to practical situations at work. By using this strategy the learning and understanding gets simpler.

WHAT TO AVOID AS AN ACCA WORKING STUDENT:

For ACCA students balancing work and study is a very big obstacle in itself and some minor mistakes might shake off their probability of success. One of the most common mistakes ACCA aspirants should avoid is poor time management as creating a structured schedule is very important to cover the complex syllabus of ACCA to avoid last-minute procrastination before exams. A structured schedule helps in prioritizing tasks, setting realistic goals and achieving them one at a time.

Another big mistake the students often tend to make is rushing themselves and neglecting self-care, overburdening yourself won’t help you achieve more rather it will destroy your mental as well as physical health resulting in decreased productivity. It is very crucial to relax yourself before you study. To avoid this rush, balancing daily routine is essential prioritizing sleep, exercise and self-care.

Lastly, don’t underestimate the complexity of the syllabus of ACCA by just studying passively through textbooks only rather try to actively engage in implementing theoretical knowledge in practical situations too, through practice exams, revision courses and if possible working in a relatable field. It will help in balancing work and study easily.

MAKING THE MOST OF YOUR EMPLOYER’S SUPPORT:

While approaching your employer as an ACCA student in South Africa you should present your request very professionally, and elaborate on how your studies can align with organizational goals and working hours. Understand your requirements as a student, know your legal rights as a working student about study leaves or flexible working hours and be clear about what you want.

Elaborate with your employer about how your ACCA qualification is going to benefit the organization by increasing knowledge and skills, efficiency, etc. 

For balancing work and study you can propose a solution to their arguments by offering flexibility, making a commitment and being open to compromise on the middle ground which works fine for both the parties.

FINANCIAL CONSIDERATIONS AS AN ACCA STUDENT:

In South Africa, there are various opportunities to avail scholarships or financial aid for ACCA students. ACCA offers early registration discounts and scholarships to students globally who meet specific criteria, the availability of scholarships can be checked through their official website or their South African office. Some employers in South Africa also offer bursaries. Other than that corporate sponsorships, South African government bursaries and the Thuthuka bursary funds are some of the institutes that support ACCA students financially.