Balancing Work and Study at a University

Working whilst at University is a great way to boost your income and gain valuable skills and experience.

A part-time job can give you some much-needed financial security and looks great on your CV too.

Working whilst studying has many benefits but striking the right work-life-study balance is vital to ensure you don’t feel overworked and under pressure. Here are our tips:

FIND THE RIGHT JOB

Where you work will determine how successfully you maintain this precarious balance. The ideal job is part-time (no more than 15 hours per week!) and flexible with shifts you can fit in around lectures, personal study time and your social life.

Check out the University job board as a first port of call. Here you will find on-campus jobs in the library, shops and Student Union bar.

Working for your university is ideal, because they understand the demands of student schedules and will be flexible with shifts. You are also guaranteed a fair wage, safe working conditions and in most cases a job after each break.

Jobs at the university are often snapped up fast, so if you can’t – or don’t want – to work on campus consider retail, bar and restaurant work. Shops and bars often need weekend and evening staff, particularly during busy periods like Christmas.

Finally, job sites like Student Job or e4s are a great place to search for student-friendly permanent and temporary work.

ORGANISE YOUR TIME

Map out your schedule every week with lectures, shifts, social activities and course deadlines. This will help you keep track of your time, ensuring you don’t miss out on important events or hand in coursework late.

Use a diary or calendar to keep an eye on your workload. Notice that you work more than you study? Request to drop a shift or two. Not getting enough ‘me-time’? Plan a movie and pizza night to unwind.

Try to create a (flexible) routine and stick to it. If you can, work the same shifts each week; Monday evenings and Saturday 9-5 for example.

Assign personal study time at the library – Tuesday and Thursday mornings, perhaps. Make your routine a dirty habit but be prepared to move things around during exam time and busy periods at your job.

LEARN TO MANAGE STRESS

Stress is inevitable during your studies but you can manage, if not prevent it with a few simple coping mechanisms.

Focus on one thing at a time. Got a to-do list longer than your arm? Prioritise each task and give the job your full attention until it’s complete. This goes for everything, whether it’s an essay, work shift or errands for your role as society VP.

Exercise and eat well. The healthier you are, the better your body copes with stressful situations. Stay active, eat your 5 a day (yes, frozen vegetables DO count) and get enough sleep to prevent burning-out.

Enjoy yourself! Don’t neglect your interests and social life when the workload gets too much, go out and live a little instead. Doing the things you love will help you unwind, de-stress and re-focus; this will only benefit your academic and work life in the long run.

And finally: take frequent breaks. You’ll be grateful you had that cat nap when working a late shift at the bar!