5 best (and worst) things about working part-time while studying

06 Feb 2018

job at uni — Whether it's a local coffee shop, the university bar, or the large supermarket nearby, getting a job is likely to be rewarding in many ways. Source: Shutterstock.

Every student knows that blissful feeling; the magical moment you check your bank balance and your student loan has come in. Finally, you can breathe a sigh of relief in the knowledge you can eat something other than baked beans!

But for many students, their student loan is just not enough to cover living costs. Unless they are lucky enough to have wealthy (and generous parents) or a healthy savings account, not working while at university is simply out of the question.

Pesky cons

There are so many pros to working while studying but it’s certainly not all sunshine and rainbows. Here are the worst parts…

1. Finishing your shift and being too tired to go do anything fun afterwards

It’s okay. Grab that duvet and relax after you’ve spent the day working. Source: GIPHY.

If you need time out to chill then take it. Working is tiring and so is studying so let yourself have some time to relax.

2. Missing out on fun plans your unemployed friends are making…

… Because you have to go to work.

You wave them goodbye, off on their adventure, while you desperately search for your work shirt. Did you leave it in the washing machine again?! Remind yourself you’ll be the one laughing come pay day.

They are off to the pub as you are pinning your name badge on. Source: GIPHY.

3. Spending nights in the library after work

You were working the night shift so you slept through the day, which means the following night you’re at the library. Wave goodbye to that healthy sleeping pattern.

Or you were working the day shift so had to head straight to the library for an all-nighter to catch up.

4. Not being able to afford to wash your uniform every few days

Why does it cost so much to wash a shirt?

You either fork out the cash for the university’s washing machines, pray your friend with one in her flat will let you use it, or go smelly.

‘Will my clothes ever be clean?’ Source: GIPHY.

5. Not being able to book the time off work

Everything fun seems to happen on the weekend, which also just so happens to be when most of your shifts are. While your unemployed friends can swan off up and down the country – or even just down the pub – whenever they like, you have to go to work or use your precious holiday days up.

Your holiday is likely to be limited and you might want to save it so you can go home during the semester break.

Try and organise some fun activities during the week so you feel a little better when you hear about all the fun they had last weekend.

Fabulous pros

SPOILER: They outweigh the cons.

1. You get to meet so many more people than you otherwise would have encountered

It is a whole new pool of people to mingle with. If you work outside of the university you will meet many of the locals, meaning you will have friends outside of your uni bubble.

How you feel introducing your flatmates to your new pal. Source: GIPHY.

2. Employers are likely to favour someone who worked while they studied

It shows dedication, commitment, and understanding of the working world. Whether your part-time job has anything to do with the career you wish to pursue or not, you will pick up countless transferable skills you can use to ‘wow’ in that post-graduation interview.

3. You should be able to avoid plummeting into your student overdraft

How payday feels. Source: Shutterstock.

If you use your earnings wisely, you should manage to escape university with a comfortable amount of cash in your account, unlike your unemployed peers who are likely to be dangerously close to the $0 mark.

4. Hopefully, you can afford the odd treat

You shouldn’t feel as guilty when you splash out on a new top, or a night out, or even a minibreak if your finances can stretch. It will make all your hard work feel worth it.

While your friends struggle for cash, you should be able to afford to splash out every once in a while. Source: GIPHY.

Working will hopefully allow you a few extra luxuries; even if it’s just fancy toilet paper or a branded cereal instead of an own-brand box.

5. You get a break from the hectic world of student life

You can use work to switch off from the stress of essays, argumentative flatmates, and household chores.

Balancing work and study isn’t always going to be easy. But, if you are savvy about it, it is certainly manageable – especially if you find somewhere understanding of your situation. Unsurprisingly, the university is likely to be your best bet on employers who understand you need time to study too.

If you are able to work while studying, go for it. You never know what might happen.