Connect with us

Business

How To Balance Your Studies With A Job At University

When I started university I was excited about living by myself, but I soon learned that money was essential for getting by. So I got myself a job. By the end of the first year I had invented several simple rules for balancing a part-time job with university.

student

Image by CollegeDegrees360

Your Degree Must Come First

As you may have noticed, things like coursework and seminar prep work usually take up most of your time. Don’t try to change that. You came to university to get a degree and you’re paying thousands of pounds a year to do it, so just get it done.
It must come before everything and you should give it your full and undivided attention, forsaking a social life and everything else that makes you happy. Ok, maybe not to that extreme. But sometimes it does feel like some tutors want to add that at the end of their start-of-year speeches.
I will just emphasise that your degree is the most important (and expensive) thing that will come from your years in higher education, so give it the attention it deserves.
So when it comes to writing up coursework and diving into the dissertation, try and do the following;

  • Turn off your phone, Facebook, Twitter and anything else that will provide you with contact to the outside world.
  • Lock yourself in your room and don’t come out until you’ve made a sizeable dent in your work – about 1000 words of an essay should suffice before the urge to socialise becomes too distracting.
  • Make sure your work periods outnumber the amount of breaks that you will inevitably take.
  • Try to hand your assignments in early; it will give you a bit more time to relax before your next project is due in.

Those are just my words of advice. Here are a few more tips.

How to Fit Your Job Around Your Deadlines

Once you’ve gotten the hang of prioritising your university work, it’s time to add to it by getting a job. Coursework must come first, but it’s understandable to feel conflicted when your boss asks you to do a shift around the same time that you have a 2500 word essay due in. You need the money, but you don’t want to turn in a rushed and poorly written essay. Here’s what you do:

Plan Ahead

Don’t annoy your boss by constantly backing out of a shift you’ve agreed to do because you’ve forgotten about that project deadline coming up next week. Bear in mind that your boss has a business to run and you’re not making it easy by being unreliable.
It will benefit everyone in the long run if you avoid double-booking yourself by knowing when you will have to give your deadlines your full attention and when you can afford to work on someone else’s time.

Location

If at all possible, try to get a job that doesn’t require too much travel. It will make it easier for you to organise your time if you don’t have to factor in unexpected road accidents or train delays.
Whenever it’s possible, try to arrive before your shifts start. I used to arrive fifteen minutes before I needed to be there and spend ten minutes just catching my breath and reading my kindle. Not much, but it was a few minutes that I had to myself.
Remember that if there is a real emergency (and you’ve proven yourself to be otherwise reliable) your boss can get someone to fill in for you.

Squeeze in Some Well-Deserved Fun Wherever Possible

If you’ve just gotten paid and you have a rare night off, spend that money on a few drinks! Look out for cheap club nights and drink deals at your Student Union or at the local pub – whatever floats your boat. Make sure to take advantage of any special deals in your area. Especially look out for any student discounts.
Work is synonymous with university and independence, but it’s not what instantly comes to mind when people remember their days as a student. That’s because there is more to university than work. It’s about the people you meet, the friends you make and the experiences that shape your future. It really is the best time of your life.
My time as an undergraduate is nearly over but it feels like I’ve only just started. There is nothing I would change, but there is still so much more I want to enjoy – even the balancing act of a part-time job and university work is something I am reluctant to let go.

Featured images:

License: Creative Commons
image source
Sara is a full-time student at Bath Spa University. Alongside her degree she works part-time as a waitress at a popular wedding venue and she writes for The GKBC Writers’ Academy.

Continue Reading

Recent Posts

Travel1 month ago

Best Places To Visit In The North Of England

If you live in England, you will know there are many different places to visit for the weekend. There are...

General1 month ago

Green Home Improvement Ideas

In a world where environmental concerns are growing, the concept of “green” has gone beyond a trendy catchphrase and is...

Lifestyle1 month ago

How to Host an Unforgettable House-Warming!

The time has finally come. You have moved into your dream pad, and are officially adulting in your very own...

Autos2 months ago

A Guide to Parking Lot Striping

The journey to a well-striped parking lot begins with the right paint. In this brief guide, we’ll unravel the mystery...

Business4 months ago

Business Tips For Protecting Your Finances During A Recession

In 2023, taking the necessary steps to protect your finances for your business is now more important than ever. The...

Lifestyle5 months ago

Tips For Cleaning Your Trainers

If you’re into your trainers and streetwear, you’re likely to be very conscious of keeping them looking their best! So,...

Marketing5 months ago

Branding Trends For Start-Ups in 2023

Branding is incredibly important as it impacts how your business reaches and connects with its target market. If you’re branding...

Business5 months ago

Avoiding the Wrong Kind of Growth

Growth is vital for any business – some models, like tech start-ups, are built around periods of dramatic, explosive growth...

Business6 months ago

How To Become A Property Developer

There are several reasons why an individual will want to become a property developer. One of the main reasons for...

Tech8 months ago

What Is The Difference Between Cyber Attacks and Cyber Threats?

If you own a business that uses the cloud to manage workloads, you have probably heard of the terms cyberattack...

Marketing8 months ago

3 Types of Marketing Every Small Construction Business Should Do

Construction is a very saturated sector, whether you’re a large or small construction company, so marketing should be at the...

Business9 months ago

How Relevant Life Insurance Plans Can Future-Proof Your Business

Last year, UK inflation reached the highest level that it had been for decades. The markets became unsteady and nervous...

Autos9 months ago

In a Car Accident? Here’s How to Find a Great Lawyer

If you’ve recently been in a car accident, you know that it can be an overwhelming experience. Not only do...

Education9 months ago

Considering Therapy? Here’s a Few Common Therapy Techniques Explained

If you’re considering therapy as a means to improve your mental health, you may be curious about the type of...

home repairs home repairs
Home Improvement9 months ago

Top 5 Home Repairs You Should Never DIY

DIY home repairs are all the rage these days. But before you jump on the bandwagon, there are some things...

Categories

Archives

Trending