1. 9 Tips for Balancing College Work While
Starting Your Business
by Jake Croman

2. 9 Tips for Balancing College Work While Starting Your Business
As many entrepreneurs
know, dedicating time
and energy to a
business venture is a
job all its own. It takes
willpower to start a
business at any age, but
starting your first
enterprise while still in
school is especially
challenging.

3. 9 Tips for Balancing College Work While Starting Your Business
Yet, some of the most famous CEOs got their big ideas while in
college. Facebook’s Mark Zuckerberg, Michael Dell of Dell
Computers, and Insomnia Cookies’ Steve Berkowitz all started their
businesses in dorms or on campus. Today, young entrepreneurs are
eager to emulate these successes before they graduate college.

4. Still, balancing schoolwork and the
entrepreneurial dream are often
troublesome for students. Many are
reluctant to follow their business plans
if they equate it with wasted tuition.
But the two don’t have to be mutually
exclusive.
Luckily, now is a great time to develop
that entrepreneurial spirit while in
college.

5. School can help define and influence your career
goals rather than hinder them. If you’re a
budding entrepreneur who's still in school, these
key steps can help balance your academic and
professional careers...

6. #1. Prioritize
Finding your priorities can be a challenge. First, determine your
short-term and long-term career goals and how school fits into
them. Questioning your impetus for school and business can help
you determine the most important needs.

7. 9 Tips for Balancing College Work While Starting Your Business
Always ask yourself:
- Why are you starting a business before graduation?
-Why do you value staying in school?
- Can your schoolwork help you build a business?
- Do you see a future career with your business after
graduation?
When answering these questions, clearly define your
reasons. Then decide when to sacrifice study time
versus business opportunities.

8. 9 Tips for Balancing College Work While Starting Your Business
Don’t beat yourself up if you want to work on a business
strategy for a few days.
If you want to integrate your class plan into your business plan,
make sure you implement some of the key lesson strategies into
your business or networking endeavors for the week.
PRO TIP:

9. #2. Choose the right courses

10. 9 Tips for Balancing College Work While Starting Your Business
Pick classes to meet
expert professors and
other like-minded
individuals. Attending
courses related to
your venture helps
save time and allows
more practice with
your business
endeavors.

11. #3. Utilize school resources

12. 9 Tips for Balancing College Work While Starting Your Business
As part of your tuition, colleges
and universities offer several free
resources you can utilize while
starting your business.
Copy and print services, free wifi,
online resources, and library
materials are indispensable tools
to help progress your business
interests.
Plus, you should be able to get
discounts on student software. .
Up to 77% of small business
entrepreneurs pay for their
startup out of pocket at first, so
maximize on resources while
they’re free.

13. #4. Connect with other students

14. 9 Tips for Balancing College Work While Starting Your Business
College offers students lots of spare time. While you’re building
your business, connect with fellow classmates and students for
recruitment opportunities.
Consider pitching the idea of collaboration to them and make it a
learning opportunity for everyone. Many startups have
employed students for onboarding.
Plus, college is a multidisciplinary hub. You’re more likely to
meet well-rounded individuals with diverse ideas to produce
intersecting and innovative concepts.

15. Also, check if your school provides an Entrepreneurship
or Business Department with alumni connections.
Departments within the business school can assist
entrepreneurs with business strategy and finding
lucrative mentors.

16. #5. Ask business-minded questions
in class

17. 9 Tips for Balancing College Work
While Starting Your Business
In order to produce a high-
quality business product, you’ll
have to test everything
carefully. First, you have to find
a work strategy so you know
how much time to allot for
schoolwork and business.
Examine your competitors’ sales
strategies and test your product
in your college community.
Asking questions will help
develop your business plan and
result in better time
management.

18. #6. Find funding options

19. 9 Tips for Balancing College Work
While Starting Your Business
Financial growth is an important factor in the early
stages of any business. If you’re looking to generate
money flow, college is a great way to find funding
sources for your startup.
Finance and scholarship offices can help you secure
loans, federal grants, scholarships, and fellowships
that offer students financial assistance.
Holding an .edu email address is lucrative because
there are specific funding options available for
student entrepreneurs.

20. #7. Create a schedule and
checklist

21. 9 Tips for Balancing College Work
While Starting Your Business
Feeling overwhelmed?
Many students and
entrepreneurs benefit from
creating a to-do list. If you
need to fit in goals each
day, make yourself a daily
checklist and highlight the
most important deadlines.
Checklists help you stay
focused and optimize
specific goals.

22. PRO TIP:
Splitting up
specific goals into
time blocks can
help you focus and
manage details
more efficiently.
Consider working
on school work
during the first
half of the day and
your business
plans during the
evening.

23. #8. Learn to say no

24. 9 Tips for Balancing College Work
While Starting Your Business
Knowing your boundaries is an important part of becoming a business
leader. As you study in school, be sure to make a routine for your
schoolwork and business endeavors.
But say “no” to any over-extend you. If friends invite you out for drinks,
it’s ok to say “no”. Designate weekends for maintaining relationships or
enjoy a drink while at a networking or business event.

25. #9. Find a mentor

26. 9 Tips for Balancing College Work
While Starting Your Business
College offers a vast network
to help you meet seasoned
professionals and expand upon
ideas. Finding mentors is one
benefit of college networks.
Ask mentors if they can
introduce you to local business
development offices or experts
in the field. Mentors are there
to offer sage advice, coaching,
and opportunities to connect
with businesses for college
credit.

27. A full schedule can make you feel like a ticking time bomb. But
combining school and work can help balance the day. If you’re
passionate about an idea, take the risk and develop it. Attending
college provides opportunity, crucial learning experience, and
time to fail.
Embrace the ideal that business and education can be balanced
and stay dedicated to both worlds. School is the perfect
opportunity for you to blossom and grow your business while
becoming a more well-rounded, astute individual.

28. Thanks for viewing!
For more tips, visit my website: JakeCroman.co
& connect with me on social media!