Does the idea of living a life of both, a student, and an entrepreneur, at the same time entice you? Are you passionate enough to take your first step in the world of entrepreneurship, setting up your very own business, while still being a student? If your answer is yes, then read on and heed these few simple tips to make that dream a reality.
Time Management
First and foremost, you need to make sure that you have excellent time management skills. Juggling between student life and business life could lead to horrendous and horrific results if not done correctly. Set out specific times to ensure that you get the most of the two activities. This could easily be done by making a time table or following an effective time management system. Take into account your class times in building the time table to ensure that nothing clashes. By having a time table, you can easily see what needs to be done at what time of the day. This ensures that you are using your time effectively because let’s face it; time is not a luxury a student/entrepreneur can afford.
Passion
If you want your business to be successful, you’ll need to be passionate about it. Being either one is hard enough on its own; imagine being both at the same time. It’s like having two full-time, highly demanding jobs. Ensure that you are passionate in both your studies and your business. Being passionate will help make everything easier as not only passion will serve as a driving force, it will also be your source of motivation. When you are passionate in your two highly demanding ‘jobs’, you won’t even see what you are doing as jobs. You will instead see them as something you do because you enjoy doing so.
Be Realistic
Start your business small and don’t bite off more than you can chew. No normal college student can fit running a multi-million dollar international business between class, studying and extracurricular activities. Be realistic. The business will grow naturally, IF you give it enough love, attention and care. Starting small also minimizes your risks. It enables you to run a business while studying… without risking your next term’s tuition fee. And who knows, maybe one day your business will grow big enough to provide more jobs in Toronto or Los Angeles or New York City.
Separate Work Space from Living Space
If you want to be a successful student and entrepreneur, create specific work areas. Separate your business from your class notes and research papers. By doing so, you are able to create different modes upon sitting in different work areas. Sitting in the business area will help you get into business mode while sitting in the study area will help you get into study mode. By not mixing the two together, you are able to clearly draw the fine line and be better organised. You don’t want to mistakenly send in one of your business invoice as your final term paper, do you? Unless if you are a business major, I’m guessing no!
At the end of the day, being both a student and an entrepreneur at the same time is hard work, but not impossible. Clearly set the goals of what you want to achieve in both areas and fight on. Now good luck – and may the force be with you.