Don’t Pile Too Much Onto Your Plate: Balancing School And Work

By Francine Fluetsch on June 17, 2014

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Having a job in college comes along with many benefits. It is a way to build up your resume for future employers, learn some life lessons, and of course, make some money (this last point being the main reason to get a job).

But having a job while taking on school full time can definitely have its challenges. Here are some tips on how to do both without driving yourself crazy.

Consider an on-campus job: Sure, some of these jobs might not be the most glamorous things out there (*cough* dining hall *cough*), but having an on-campus job means flexible hours and hardly any travel time on your part. A lot of the managers are students, so they understand that you have a busy schedule, and for the most part will be flexible if you have to change shifts last minute to go to a review session or what have you.

Having an on-campus job also means not having to rush somewhere after class, since you work where you study. You could easily plan your hours around when you’ll be on campus, so even if you live off, it will save time since you can go straight after class.

Befriend your co-workers: This goes for any job, but especially while you are in college. You want to make friends that will be able to cover your shifts if need be. If you are a pain in the ass, chances are no one will feel bad if you have a massive paper due the next day and don’t want to go into work.

Befriending your coworkers will also create a more fun and relaxed environment for you, which is essential because having a job on top of your schoolwork can definitely add some extra stress to your plate. Find a way to get the job done, but somehow make it entertaining as well.

Befriend your managers: You don’t have to be best buds, but show them that you respect them and that you are a good person to have around. This will mean more leeway for you if you need a day off, and will also mean a great letter of recommendation for grad school or a new job. ‘

You definitely don’t want to be on a manager’s bad side at work. Don’t suck up to them, simply be respectful and show that you want to be there and that they didn’t make a mistake in hiring you. And heck, if you do end up becoming close friends with them, the better it is for you! Remember to smile.

Put school first: This is a big one. Taking on more hours is appealing to students because more hours of course means more money, but it won’t be worth it in the long run if your grades suffer for a few extra bucks in your bank account. Always make school your top priority. If you feel like the job and school together is starting to be too much, cut back on your work hours. Yes, you will make a little less, but you are working towards your future and that is the most important.

Get a job that will benefit the future: Getting a job that interests you means that you will be more productive and willing to work. Our options are limited without degrees, but there are plenty of paid internships in all types of fields. Consult Google and see if there happens to be a good match for you.

Keep your mind where you are: Having a lot of things on your plate can make it easy to get overwhelmed. The best thing to do is not have your mind wander: when you’re at school, focus on school, and when you’re at work, focus on work.

If you are at work and are worrying about a paper you’ll have to write later, you’ll make yourself all anxious and won’t be doing as good of a job as you would usually do. Worrying about it when you can’t do it isn’t going to help anything, so you might as well focus on the task at hand.

Write stuff down: To help yourself with the step above, make it a habit to write everything that you have to do down on a calendar. If you plan things around your schedule, you’ll feel less overwhelmed and it will really help you with the whole balancing thing.

Having a job with school means you’re really going to have to stay on top of your stuff (definitely a struggle for us procrastinators). Writing it down will help you prioritize the things you need to get done and will help you be successful in both aspects.

Getting a job in college can be a challenge, but if you handle it right, it will be very rewarding. The beginning is always the hardest, but once you get into a routine, balancing school and work may not be as bad as you think.

Good luck!

Search through the Uloop job listings to find your next Part-Time or Full-Time employment or Internship opportunity. Employers are waiting to hear from you!

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