Being a student isn’t cheap. Whether it’s keeping up with rent, buying that textbook for your next module, forking out on travel expenses, or simply enjoying the niceties in life – the costs quickly add up. That’s why many students decide to get themselves a part-time job alongside their studies.
Being a full-time student can often feel demanding, let alone throwing a part-time job into the mix. But fear not – we’re sharing how you can strike a healthy balance between work and your university studies.
1. Plan ahead
If you take anything from this blog, let it be this piece of advice! Juggling part-time work with uni life means balancing two separate schedules – the truth is that it can be as complicated as it sounds, but the key to success is careful planning. Be sure of where you need to be and when, and most importantly, make sure your plans don’t clash.
2. Stay local
Commuting can take up a lot of your time, not to mention the costs of public transport or running a vehicle. Juggling part-time work can become trickier if you have far to travel since it will eat into your free time. Try finding somewhere that’s conveniently located to your student accommodation or home so your time is utilised more effectively. If this isn’t possible, think about using your travel time to study.
3. Communication is key
Let your employer know you’re a student. You’re bound to have busy periods in the academic year that you need to prioritise, so it’s important to be transparent with your employer that there may be times when you need to move shifts around or arrange cover. That said, try your very best to give your employer as much notice as possible of changes you need in order to maintain a positive relationship and eliminate the potential for miscommunication.
4. Put yourself first
As tempting as it may be to pick up all the shifts for extra cash, it’s really important to make sure you’re scheduling downtime for yourself. Burnout is real and is often caused by cramming too much into your busy schedule. Recognise the signs of burnout and make sure you’re doing things that fill you with joy alongside your work and study responsibilities.
If you’re thinking about part-time work, our Students’ Union employs hundreds of current students to work across our services each year. These are flexible, rewarding opportunities for students to gain experience and new skills, meet new people and earn some extra cash! You can keep an eye out for opportunities that might suit you here.
Alongside this, each year we employ student ambassadors who actively promote higher education at Teesside University on and off campus and get paid for their efforts. Take a look at our student jobs and internships here.
Best of luck with your job search!
