MANAGING A PART-TIME JOB AS A FULL-TIME STUDENT
Attending university can be busy enough on its own – 15 hours a week in class, hours and hours outside of class spent studying and completing assignments… Finding time to eat meals between classes, staying active and healthy, AND trying to spend time with friends. Who could possibly manage a job on top of everything else? I’m here to tell you that while it might not be easy, it’s doable! 1,138 Tarleton students currently have an on-campus job, and who knows how many more students there are working off-campus!
During my time at Tarleton State, I had financial need outside of tuition. I needed gas to get to-and-from home/church/work/etc. I needed groceries since I spent most of my college experience in an apartment. Plus, I split rent and utilities each month with a roommate. For me, a part-time job was simply a necessity. As a full-time student, taking anywhere between 12-18 hours a semester, I personally worked two part-time positions and found time to be involved at the Baptist Student Ministry on-campus. That sounds like a lot… and it is – BUT I was able to get through it and so can you!
5 TIPS TO CRUSH WORK AND CLASS WITHOUT LOSING YOUR MIND
- Schedule. Schedule. Schedule.
Get a planner, use Google Calendar, or print out weekly calendars at the library. And then plan your week. Planning your week like this (and more importantly – sticking to it) can keep you from watching Netflix or doom-scrolling instead of studying. Don’t forget to schedule time to rest!
- Find the job that works best for you!
Most part-time jobs you’ll find, especially on-campus jobs, will work around your class schedule. You provide your availability, and they schedule you to work within those hours. It can be beneficial to find a job that allows you to do schoolwork on the job.
- Spend time with friends who take their classes seriously.
Studying with friends can help you manage your time if done correctly. As a student, I found it difficult to stick to the study schedule I’d set for myself. It wasn’t until I found friends to study with that I was able to keep up with my schoolwork! But do be mindful of what friends will actually hold you accountable to your work, and which friends might turn your study sesh into a yap sesh. Of course, take breaks and catch up with your friend but don’t be a distraction when it’s time to lock in.
- Communicate with Your Boss & Professors
If you’re feeling overwhelmed, don’t hesitate to talk to your employer or professors. Many jobs around Stephenville understand that school comes first and may offer flexibility during exam weeks. Some professors may be willing to grant extensions if you communicate early as well!
- Utilize On-Campus Resources
Make the most of campus resources like tutoring, SI sessions, and the writing/math achievement centers. They can help you stay on track academically while balancing work.
THESE STUDENTS DO IT – SO CAN YOU!
“As long as I stay focused and remember how blessed I am to be able to do both [work and school], then it becomes a lot more manageable for me. I rely on God and good vision to help me succeed in both of my passions. Discipline also plays a huge role. When the desire to succeed gets a little out of sight, it’s important to stay disciplined enough to keep going.” -Grace Bransom
“Managing school, work, and my personal life is really hard at times, but what helps me is planning and community. Planning provides structure and time management, while community provides accountability when I’m struggling to manage my time well.” -Sydney Land
“As a full-time student who also works I must remain organized. For me, some of the most helpful tools I have used are my planner and Canvas. I write out when I plan to do assignments in my planner that way I always make sure I have them done ahead of time. If you are not a planner person using Chrome extensions like “Tasks for Canvas” helps you know what assignments are due and what you have already completed. It is also important to ensure you do not burn out. I like to take time to watch a TV show with my boyfriend while I eat dinner and make sure I do not do any school or work during this time. Or I schedule a couple of hours to hang out with friends where I allow myself to just relax before I go back and do work. Balancing school, work, and social life takes discipline but in my opinion, it is worth it.” -Grace Bartley
MENTAL HEALTH MATTERS: KNOW YOUR LIMITS
It is important to note that having a part-time position may be more difficult for some because of these reasons:
- Some majors are far more demanding than others. As a business major, my coursework wasn’t nearly as intense as my friends who were studying to become doctors/teachers/etc. This allowed me the time to work while they needed to spend more time studying.
- Sometimes, an internship can be more beneficial in obtaining a future career. Some career paths are highly competitive. Even with straight As, a successful internship might be what puts you on top. There are some internships that pay, but not all of them do.
- Some students will need more time to study than others. It is important to understand how you learn. For some, learning comes easy. For most, this isn’t the case. The amount of time studying will differ from student to student.
Juggling work and school is no joke. Here’s the deal — burnout is real, and no job or class is worth your mental and physical health. And there’s no shame in asking for help.
If you’re feeling overwhelmed, anxious, or just exhausted, don’t ignore it. Tarleton’s Wellness Center has free counseling services where you can talk to someone, get stress management tips, or just figure out how to balance it all.
