Today: Mar 29, 2024

Students work towards balance of multiple jobs and school

Edgar Ayala General Assignment Reporter

Working multiple jobs and still having to attend school can be overwhelmingly stressful for some students. The time commitment students put into their education and work schedule can leave them with hardly any free time.

According to a survey from Citigroup in a news blog from Marina Fang, nearly 80 percent of students take at least a part time job while attending school.

The article also stated that the average student works 19 hours a week, while some students work even more than 20 hours or hold full-time jobs.

Apart from their work schedule, students still need to devote time to their education in order to make room for homework readings, studying for tests, and writing essays.

According to the National Survey of Student Engagement, the average student spends about 17 hours each week preparing and studying for classes.  With that in mind, students working multiple part-time jobs and keeping up with classes can be stressful.

Hector Zepeda, a sophomore majoring in business, said he always encounters stress when school or work comes up.  

Zepeda said, “But the best way I deal with stress is by pushing work and school aside for an hour a day and just being myself.  Hanging out with friends and playing PlayStation really helps me gain the energy I need to recharge and de-stress.”

However, even though working and going to school has its cons, there are some pros students can get out from attending school and work.   

Joey Gentile, a sophomore majoring in business management, said getting an education and having multiple jobs has improved his time management skills.  

“My campus involvements and work have made me better at managing my time and overall a more successful student,” Gentile said. “My schedule is very busy and is not that flexible, so it forces me to do what I have to do, when I have to do it.”

Then again some students still have trouble balancing both school and work.  

Marino Civitillo, a senior majoring in finance, said managing both things can be “really hard,” but has been able to manage them by drawing and mapping out his week.

“Before the start of each semester, week and day, I map out a schedule for myself,” he said. “My schedules are extremely detailed and include everything from my classes and work to lunch and study sessions. I found that a detailed daily schedule forces me to stay on task.”

Gentile gave useful tips to other students learning to balance both their school and work schedule. He said to make sure your schedule is consistent throughout your day in order to avoid “panic attacks.”

“When you have a job and other involvements be sure that they don’t conflict with your class times,” he said.  “Additionally, make sure you designate time to study. Oftentimes I see people work for places that give them a rotating or inconsistent schedule, which I believe can cause them a lot of stress and confusion.”

Perhaps it’s not stress and confusion that school and work intentionally wants to give students, but instead, to teach students to be more responsible with managing their time.

Photo Credit: Christopher Rodriguez 

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