7 Tips for Managing Your Time as a Student

Hybrid working offers employees, especially working mothers, the opportunity to better balance career and family. In this article, you'll learn how to get the most out of this flexible working model through clever strategies.

A woman sits at the kitchen table in her home office and works on her laptop, while her 2-year-old son watches her over the table and holds a yellow excavator. — Hybrid working in the home office. © Pexels

has become known as In the rapidly changing world of work in the 21st century, an innovative concept has established itself under the term "New Work" has become known. A central component of this new understanding of work is hybrid working – a flexible model that combines traditional office work with the possibility of working from home. This concept is becoming increasingly important and is being implemented by more and more companies as a forward-looking form of work.

Hybrid working refers to a way of working in which employees can flexibly divide their activities between the office and the home office. It's more than just a trend; it represents a fundamental change in the way we understand and organize work. This approach offers significant benefits for both employees and employers.

For you as a working mother, hybrid working opens up new possibilities , to better reconcile career and family. It allows you to be more flexible in your working hours and locations, thus better meeting the demands of your profession and the needs of your family. According to a study by the Federal Ministry for Family Affairs, Senior Citizens, Women and Youth, 78% of the parents surveyed report an improved work-life balance through flexible working models such as hybrid working.

👉🏼 This is how you can find family-friendly employers.

Employers also benefit from this model. Not only can you reduce the cost of office space, but you can also benefit from higher employee satisfaction and retention. A study by Gallup shows that companies with engaged employees, as often found in flexible working models, generate 21% more profits. In addition, hybrid working allows access to a larger talent pool as geographical boundaries become less important.

Despite the many benefits, hybrid working also comes with challenges, especially when it comes to work-life balance, team communication, and self-management.

In this article, you'll learn how you can overcome these challenges as a working mom and make the most of the opportunities offered by hybrid working. Discover practical tips and strategies that will help you succeed in this new world of work while living a fulfilling family life.

The advantages of hybrid working for you at a glance

Flexibility in terms of time: Hybrid working allows you to adapt your workday to your family obligations. For example, you can pick up your children from school and catch up on a few hours of work later in the evening.
Reduced stress: By eliminating long commute times, you gain valuable time for yourself and your family. The Institute for Employment Research shows that hybrid working can significantly reduce work-related stress.
Increased productivity: Many mothers report increased productivity in the home office. According to a survey by the Bertelsmann Foundation, 65% of respondents estimate their productivity to be higher when working with hybrid working.

9 practical tips for your successful hybrid work

1. Structure your workday carefully

As a working mother, a clear structure is particularly important when it comes to hybrid working. Plans Fixed working hours that can be reconciled with your family obligations and work schedules. Use digital calendars to organize both professional and personal appointments. Prioritize your tasks and work on important projects at times when you're most productive and have as few interruptions as possible. Plans conscious breaks to relax for a moment.

2. Set up an ergonomic workspace at home

Invest in an ergonomic workspace to promote your health and productivity.

Height-adjustable desk: Allows alternating sitting and standing, which prevents back pain and promotes concentration.
Ergonomic office chair: Make sure you have good lumbar support and adjustment options for seat height and inclination.
Lighting: Use a combination of natural light and daylight lamps to reduce eye strain.
Separate work surface: If possible, set up a dedicated workspace to better separate work and personal life.
Explain to your children that this area is your "office" and should be respected.

3. Maintain your social contacts

Stay connected to your team despite physical distance.

Use attendance days effectively: Schedule regular attendance days and meet your colleagues for lunch or coffee.
Schedule important meetings with colleagues or customers in person.
Mentoring programs: Participate in in-house mentoring initiatives to maintain and grow networks.
Digital team events: Organize online quizzes or virtual coffee breaks or lunches with your team if you are a manager and support the feeling of togetherness in this way.

4. Practice effective time management

Optimize your time resources through structured work.

Pomodoro Technique: Work in 25-minute blocks followed by 5-minute breaks. After four blocks, take a longer break.
Time Blocking: Reserve fixed time slots for specific tasks on your calendar.
Pay attention to the energy curve: Plan challenging tasks for times when you're most productive.
Regular breaks: Use short breaks for exercise or relaxation exercises to maintain your concentration.
Beware of traps! Housework is not breaks! Therefore, avoid using breaks for housework.

5. Optimize your technical equipment

Make sure that your technical equipment allows you to work smoothly.

Stable internet connection: Invest in a reliable internet connection with enough bandwidth for video conferencing.
Quality headset: A good headset with a noise-cancelling function significantly improves the audio quality in meetings.
High-quality webcam: A good camera ensures a professional appearance in video conferences.
Second screen: An additional monitor can significantly increase your productivity and prevent fatigue.
VPN access: Make sure you can securely access all the company resources you need.

6. Actively shape your work-life balance

Find a healthy work-life balance.

Fixed working hours: Define clear start and end times for your working day and inform your team and family about them.
After-work ritual: Develop a routine that consciously concludes your working day, e.g. tidying up your desk or doing a short meditation.
Plan family time: Reserve fixed times for joint activities with your children.
Self-care: Schedule regular times for sports, hobbies, or relaxation.
Digital time-outs: Consciously set times when you are not available and turn off work notifications.

7. Focus your continuous training

Stay up to date and constantly develop.

Online courses: Use platforms like Udemy or LinkedIn Learning for subject-specific training.
Webinars and virtual conferences: Participate in industry-relevant online events.
Specialist literature: Reserve time to read specialist books or articles.
Internal knowledge management: Share your knowledge in company wikis or internal workshops.
Skill sharing: Regularly exchange ideas with colleagues about new techniques or tools.

8. Optimize your communication and visibility

Improve your virtual communication and visibility.

Clear expectations: Communicate your availabilities and response times clearly.
Regular check-ins: Schedule short, regular updates with your team or manager.
Effective meetings: Set clear agendas for meetings and keep them as short and focused as possible.
Written communication: Maintain clarity and precision in emails and chat messages to avoid misunderstandings.
Attendance days: Plan and use attendance days specifically for team building and important meetings to increase your visibility.

9. Take care of your health and well-being

Self-care is crucial to successful hybrid work in the long term.

Incorporate regular exercise into your daily routine, whether it's through short workouts or walks.Practice mindfulness exercises or meditation to reduce stress.
Make sure you eat a balanced diet and get enough sleep.
Take time for your own hobbies and interests to recharge.

By implementing these in-depth tips, you can optimize your hybrid work and improve both your professional performance and work-life balance. An important factor for success in hybrid working is also the openness and flexibility of your company. Only when the company culture is characterized by trust, transparency, and clear communication can the hybrid work model truly flourish.

Keep in mind that it may take time to find your perfect rhythm. Be patient with yourself and continuously adapt your strategies to your needs, those of your family, and those of your work situation.