A little extra beer money!!! (Jobs whilst you are a student)

Member Name: ross1979

Product:	Jobs whilst you are a student
Date:	14/08/01 (241 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Extra Cash, Meet People, Extra Cash!

Disadvantages: Possible negative effect on study

I have read a few opinions which seem to suggest that to work while you are studying means sacrificing your degree to a certain extent. I'm afraid I believe this to be nothing more than an excuse and that working part time during the term and full time during the summer is an integral part of your period as a student.

As suggested in another opinion on this topic, it is time management which is the key during term time. Whilst studying for my BSc, I found myself with a lot less work to do in the first year than I expected. Therefore, instead of spending the extra time with Richard and Judy or out at the pub, I got a job at a local supermarket with flexible hours. It was no problem fitting it in around my studies and my work didnt suffer. Suprisingly, either did my social life and if I was working in the evening, I would just go straight to the pub to meet my mates after work (with a slightly fuller wallet.)

I worked approximately 16 hours a week which I fitted in to my schedule fine. I would not have wanted to work much more than this since then I may have been cutting into either work or social time. Obviously, during the later university years, you have to cut down the amount of time you spend on your part-time job.

I also worked full time during the summer. I did not get any really exciting jobs but I learned a great deal from working in different environments and it looks good on your CV - even if you were just a shop assistant in a motorway services! I found that it made me enjoy my summer holiday so much more because I could make good use of the time I had off to go out and enjoy myself without worrying too much about my finances. I also had a healthier bank balance when I returned to uni.

However, I think you can go too far with part-time jobs when you are a student. The amount I worked, I managed my studies with no problem at all and dont think I would have done any better in my degree if I had not worked pa
rt-time. But I had a friend who worked almost full time doing night shifts and his studies really suffered. He pulled in 12 grand a year to support himself but he barely passed and found himself exhausted all the time. As with most things, the answer is to find a balance that suits the individual.

In my opinion, you should try to work part-time, at least during the early years of university. If the study takes over in the final year then just give up. Summer jobs are also a must for most students. Not only are they helpful (if not essential) for your finances, they let you meet a wide variety of people and show employers in the future that you are not afraid of hard work. So, fellow students, get yourself down the job centre and find yourself a few hours a week for next year. You'll thank me for it - honest!

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