Balancing studying and part time work during University
Whilst at University, getting a part time job is a needs must for many of us. Loans and grants often don’t cover all the costs and getting financial support from parents isn’t always an option.
Having a part time job at Uni is becoming more common and it’s also an opportunity to make yourself more employable to potential hirers. Here are our top tips to keep the balance!
Limit the hours from the start 
When you start applying for the jobs, have a clear idea in your head of how many hours/days a week you can work. This is essential as you don’t want to be in the position where your part-time job, is having a negative effect on your assignments.
Ensure you have your timetable in mind so you know which days are best, some students will only have a couple of days where they can work, whereas others can work 3-4 and still be fine.
The benefit of limiting the hours at the start, is that you can always pick up overtime for those weeks when you really need it or you have a quiet week at Uni.
Still leave time for yourself
One aspect to consider, is to still make time for yourself. Working a few days a week and having to go to lectures can see yourself seemingly having no time to do what you want.
This is particularly important in the approach to Christmas as your first set of assignments will begin to pile up.
Making time to spend with your friends and to enjoy yourself is essential, at the end of the day enjoying yourself is a key part of University! You deserve to treat yourself for working hard and having a part time role, so make sure you do.
Think about the summer
The summer is a perfect opportunity to clock in some hours and save some money for when you return. It will also stop you from the boredom that can arise from several months off!
If you play it right by working long hours in the summer, then when you return for Uni in September you will be in a good place to do all the activities that you want to do. It will also stop potential stress about rent and general bills that you have.
Working through the summer also gives you the opportunity to gain work experience in the relevant field that you plan to go in once you graduate. If you are looking to do this, it is key to get planning before the summer. It is a fantastic chance to get some real work experience on your CV which will make you stand apart when you are looking for roles post Uni.
Maintaining the balance when studying is essential to make sure you get the most from your University experience, the key is to try and not let work dominate your studying.
If you’re not going back to uni because you have finished and are still looking for your next opportunity, contact one of our specialist graduate recruitment consultants.
Get in touch with our team:
marc.cooper@nicholasassociates.co.uk
imogen.pass@nicholasassociates.co.uk
