The Right Ways to Hold Down a Job in College
It’s a place no college student wants to be, but a place nearly every college student finds him or herself at one point or another: strapped for cash and at the most inopportune time possible. It is precisely at these moments that college students begin entertaining the idea of obtaining a job to help fund their spending sprees, late night dinners, and even just to pay the tuition bill. However, before taking on the challenge of juggling your academic career as well as a job, you should consider the right way to go about doing so or risk either academic suicide or getting fired.
Getting a job, especially outside of the school system, is a commitment. Employment requires time and effort, and so do academics. Finding the balance between the two is the trickiest part of student employment. First, if you are looking into gaining employment, you should think about which jobs would offer the most flexibility in terms of scheduling. Obviously, part-time work is the most feasible option for most full-time college students. Most students go to class at least twice a week, but more often than not, most students go to class four times a week. This means that whatever job you look into, you need to ensure that it has flexible student-friendly hours that fit your schedule. Also factor in the time that it will take for you to commute to that job and back. Retail stores and restaurants typically have the most student-friendly shifts because a large number of their employees are students. However, be aware that when you work part-time, you typically are required to work on the weekends as well, which will cut into your studying and socializing time.
Once you are employed, plan your studying times around your work schedule. This means that when you have a day off, instead of going out and partying, you may have to stay in and catch up on your coursework and readings. No one said earning money was going to be easy. In addition, when things like examinations come up, you may have to request extra time off and pick up some other shifts to make room for more studying. Let your employer or supervisor know about these days at least a week in advance so that you do not leave your workplace understaffed during your absence. Finally, remember that even though you have a commitment to your job, your priority should always be your education. After all, if you end up losing your part-time job, it will not be half as detrimental as failing a class because of that job.
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