Balancing University and Self-Taught Development

personal learning university

Being a student at the University of Arizona while simultaneously teaching myself front-end development has been quite the balancing act. Here’s how I’m making it work.

The Challenge

Juggling multiple responsibilities:

  • University coursework and assignments
  • Self-directed learning in front-end development
  • Building projects like this blog
  • Maintaining some semblance of a social life
  • Taking care of basic needs (sleep, exercise, etc.)

My Schedule Strategy

I’ve found that structure helps me stay productive without burning out:

Weekday Routine

  • Morning: University classes and coursework
  • Afternoon: Study time and assignments
  • Evening: 1-2 hours of front-end learning/building
  • Night: Relax and recharge

Weekends

  • Saturday: Bigger projects and deeper learning sessions
  • Sunday: Review the week, plan ahead, lighter learning

What I’ve Learned

Some lessons from trying to balance it all:

1. Consistency Over Intensity

Small, daily progress beats marathon sessions followed by burnout. Even 30 minutes of focused work adds up over time.

2. Time Blocking Works

Dedicating specific time blocks to specific tasks helps me stay focused and prevents context switching fatigue.

3. It’s Okay to Say No

I can’t do everything. Learning to decline opportunities that don’t align with my goals has been crucial.

4. University Knowledge Transfers

Concepts from my computer science courses often apply to front-end development. The academic learning complements the practical skills.

The Benefits of This Dual Path

While challenging, there are real advantages:

  • Structured learning from university paired with practical skills from self-teaching
  • Academic deadlines keep me disciplined
  • Projects give me creative freedom
  • Networking opportunities in both spaces

When It Gets Tough

Some weeks are harder than others. During midterms or finals:

  • I scale back on side projects
  • Focus on maintaining existing habits
  • Use front-end work as a break from academic studying
  • Remember that progress isn’t always linear

Looking Ahead

My goal is to graduate with both:

  1. A solid university education
  2. A portfolio of real-world projects
  3. Job-ready front-end skills

It’s not easy, but I believe the combination will set me up well for my career.

Advice for Others

If you’re also trying to balance formal education with self-taught skills:

  • Be realistic about your time and energy
  • Communicate with professors and peers
  • Use breaks wisely (winter/summer breaks are great for intensive learning)
  • Don’t compare your journey to others
  • Celebrate small wins

This is just what’s working for me right now. I’m still figuring things out, and that’s okay!