Surely your degree is too important to risk? (Jobs whilst you are a student)

Name: palmerstonpark

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Product:	Jobs whilst you are a student
Date:	11/08/01 (73 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: A little less debt pressure

Disadvantages: Worse grade, Lower earning potential, You will always be in debt

Personally I am trying to avoid work during term time unless it is absolutely necessary. Although I have to pay for my path through university myself, I am fortunate to have some unit trusts which mean that together with a student loan and an overdraft, I can get by without working during term time. This plan partly revolves around working through holidays, but despite currently not being able to find any work, I am still determined not to have to get a job during term time.

This is because I feel that it would be reckless to risk my studies as a job could result in dropping down a degree level from what I would expect to get if I didn't work. I would class myself as well organised and conscientious student and if forced to I believe I would be able to balance paid work and studies, but don't think the rewards are worth the undeniable risk. Obviously some people find affording university even more of a struggle and have no choice but to find work during terms and I suppose some people may be sure that they can cope with their course and a job, but I believe that in the long run it could be disasterous.

A job leaves limited time for out for background studying and yet with a little more money and the pressure of having a job as well as lectures, I think that few people would give up much in the way of socialising. If you analyse the long-run consequences of dropping a degree grade, it just doesn't make sense. Working during term, you might earn £50 a week (obviously it depends on the job and hours, but the more you are working, the higher the risk) which would add up to around £5000 over the entirety of a 3 year course. However, if this means getting a 2:2 instead of a 2:1 at the end of your course, it could have a dramatic reflection on future earnings, which could easily end up being a difference of £5000 every year for the rest of your working life.

Some people may decide that they have to work in order to cut back
on their debt so that they don't carry it all though until graduation. Personally I can't really see the point of this as no one can realistically expect to lead a debt free life until they have paid off their mortgage not long before they retire.

Clearly, not everyone that works during term time will drop a grade as a result, but it must be much more likely, so I think it is far more sensible to try to work as much as possible during holidays, which should provide enough cash to see you through the academic year along with a student loan.

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