Many college students have jobs. Working is a great way for students to develop skills and experience needed for the real world.
Here are few tips on finding a job in college and maintaining a balance with your studies.
- Look for a job on campus.
- Search online job boards, check out the career center or look on bulletin boards throughout campus.
- Apply for on-campus jobs early – they get filled FAST!
- On campus, jobs will be the most flexible with your class schedule because the schools are aware that you’re a student first.
- Look for a local company with flexible hours.
- Try to work a maximum of 15-20 hours per week. You’re going to be in class approximately 12 hours per week, and you need to allow an additional 3-4 hours of study time each week per class.
- Try to work a maximum of 15-20 hours per week. You’re going to be in class approximately 12 hours per week, and you need to allow an additional 3-4 hours of study time each week per class.
- Plan a schedule that works for you.
- If you have an 8 am class, and you know that you need at least 8 hours of sleep to function, don’t work a shift that requires you to stay until midnight. Talk to your supervisor if you have concerns about your work schedule, especially if it starts to interfere with your classes.
- If you have an 8 am class, and you know that you need at least 8 hours of sleep to function, don’t work a shift that requires you to stay until midnight. Talk to your supervisor if you have concerns about your work schedule, especially if it starts to interfere with your classes.
- Get some studying done!
- If allowed and your job has down time, use the idle time efficiently to accomplish simple tasks like reading or studying done.
- If allowed and your job has down time, use the idle time efficiently to accomplish simple tasks like reading or studying done.
- Be sure to schedule time for a social life.
- Balance is necessary for all areas of your life; it helps to reduce stress and unwind, making working and studying much more efficient when you are refreshed mentally and physically.
- Use a calendar to keep track of your schedule. Fill in all your work schedule, classes, and all other activities at the designated times and try to stick to your schedule as much as possible, allowing for adjustments as needed.
- Build your savings!
- One of the cardinal rules of earning an income is that you should be paying yourself first. Set aside a certain percentage of your paycheck for savings, then allow the rest of your money for your other expenses (rent, car, gas, insurance, cell phone, food, clothing, school supplies, etc.).
- Living off a budget now will help tremendously once you have your first job post-graduation.
We would love to hear what you do to find a balance between academics, work, and play!