The academic workload of students in college can be very stressful at times, and throwing a job into the mix can be even more overwhelming. Balancing academics, a social life, extracurricular activities, and a job, among other things, can be much more difficult than it seems, but don’t worry, you’re not alone. Many students have been in your shoes before and have successfully managed to come up with the perfect balance for juggling everything on their plate. Students have a variety of different reasons for working, such as needing money to pay for their tuition, bills, rent, or even just to have extra spending money on the side. Whatever the reason may be, there are many tips and tricks for balancing a job and going to college.
Find a job that is flexible.
First, find a job that is reasonably flexible with the number of hours you work each week. Taking a job that requires you to work more hours than you can handle may cause you to fall behind on your schoolwork. An understanding employer will want you to thrive in your academics.
Make your priorities known.
Making your priorities known to yourself, and to your employer is extremely important in balancing college and a job. Many students believe in the saying “school comes first.” If a student obtains a job on campus, the school is considered their employer; therefore, most supervisors prioritize academics. Although off-campus employers are also likely to understand that student employees must work around their academic schedules, students should make their academic priorities clear during the interview process.
Manage your time wisely.
Time management is key. Writing out a weekly or monthly calendar that includes your classes, extracurricular activities, study time, downtime, and employment hours will help you stay organized and allow you to manage your time efficiently. Creating a schedule will allow you to realize how much time you have to complete certain tasks, and may even help you find extra time you didn’t know you had.
Seek help if you’re struggling.
If you find your grades suffering, have difficulty meeting deadlines, or feel as though there is no time to socialize or enjoy your extracurricular activities, ask your manager to cut down your hours.
If you feel as though you are undergoing a lot of stress and anxiety, take a deep breath! Balancing college and a job is not easy, but it is doable if it is done the right way.
