How to Balance University and a Part Time Job

Is it worth doing a part-time job?

Absolutely. Here's why:

1. You'll be earning a wage to support your studies and daily living costs

2. You'll be gaining incredible skills relevant to your future career

The great thing is that it doesn’t necessarily have to be a job that’s relevant to your studies, either. (If you’re studying law and working part-time at Pret, that’s totally cool.) 

Already working in hospitality or retail? You’re already building skills like customer service, communication and teamwork. Managed to get some part-time admin work? You’ve now got calendar management, attention to detail, and office management skills.

These skills show employers that you’re able to work alongside people, manage your time and work in a professional environment: exactly the skills they look for when you apply for placements or summer internships.

Already started applying? Here’s how you can show transferable skills in an application.

Where can I find a part-time job?

Start with trusted jobs boards and your uni’s career service or student union. You might even find opportunities at the university you’re at (like working at the campus café, the library or becoming a student brand ambassador). 

If you do want a job that’s relevant to your studies, that’s a bonus and you might find some part-time opportunities out there.

When you start your search, look for roles that offer a proper contract and pay at least minimum wage.

You'll find loads of roles from tutoring to working at a bar.

Cash-in-hand might seem like a good idea, but it can leave you without protection if things go wrong. Odd jobs like babysitting or lawn mowing are generally fine to do, but for anything more regular, make sure it’s legit.

If you’ve already got a side hustle going, that’s great. Just watch out for the ones that need upfront cash. Making and selling products sounds good (and it can be), but it can get expensive quickly and can eat into your profits. 

How many hours can I work as a student?

No law specifies a maximum number of hours you can work as a student, unless you're on an international visa (then it's 20 hours a week).

In general, universities recommend working less than 15 hours per week.

The key thing is to make sure you’re working a job that’s flexible and can fit around your schedule. You don't want it to start impacting your studies.

How can I balance university and a part-time job?

There’s absolutely nothing wrong with working a part-time job while studying. In fact, 68% of students work a part-time job. Here’s how to make it work:

Your studies come first

It’s tempting to make as much money as you can, but realistically, your priority should always be your course and everything that comes with it. You’re working towards a bigger picture, and putting your part-time job above it can affect your grades and well-being.

Plan your schedule

You’ll know your uni timetable, assignment deadlines and work shifts in advance. So it’s worth putting these into one calendar, so you can visualise what your week or month looks like and make sure there aren’t any clashes.

Talk to your employer

If you’re applying for a part-time job, always let your employer know that you’re a student. It’ll help them to know when you can and can’t work. Good employers will always respect this and work with you to make sure your shifts work around your studies.

Cut back when it gets busy

Uni can be intense sometimes. Normalise permitting yourself to do fewer work hours during busy periods like exam season or when you need to get your assignments done.

Separate work from university

Try not to let your work shifts bleed into uni time. When you’re at uni, you’re at uni. It’s worth trying to get shifts on days when you’re genuinely free or on weekends.

You don’t have to say yes to every shift

It’s hard not to take that opportunity to earn more. But sometimes, the more you say yes, the more you’ll find that you become the colleague to rely on when people need a shift swap. These can add up quickly. Before you know it, you’re working loads of shifts with no time for your studies or yourself.

How to spot when you’re doing too much

You might not realise it, but there are signs that let you know when you’re doing a lot. Here’s how to spot the signs.

Your body is telling you something

Managing part-time work and full-time studies can feel overwhelming. If you’re feeling a lot more rundown than normal, feeling ill or even tired all the time, your body is probably telling you to slow down.

Your university work is taking a hit

Signs include your grades slipping, missing deadlines or skipping lectures and seminars because you’re too tired from work. 

Your headspace isn’t right

If you’re feeling more stressed than normal, feeling anxious or dreading going to uni or work, these can all have a major impact on your mental health.

The thing is, while it might seem like an impossible task, you are allowed to cut back on your shifts. You’ll hear people say that you have the same 24 hours as big-time celebs or CEOs. That’s a pretty unhealthy way to look at things. Saying no doesn’t make you lazy; if anything, it shows that you’re in touch with yourself.

Finding a balance that works for you is the most important part. You’ve got this.