To work or to not work
With constant quizzes, assignments and competitions, university life is stressful enough as it is. Add a job to the already overwhelming workload and the pressure becomes almost too much to bear. With each side demanding a lot of time and dedication, maintaining a work-study balance is no easy feat. Whether driven by necessity or passion, plenty of students are attempting to make the best of both worlds. So, why go the extra mile? Or more importantly, how?
PROS
Monetary benefits
Many parents find it difficult to bear costly university expenses. Especially if you are living away from home, there are also accommodation and living costs to take care of. In these circumstances, the extra money can really reduce the burden on your parents, besides giving you a chance to save up for that cool phone you have wanted for a while now. Moreover, you are likely to be better at budgeting once you start earning on your own.
Time management
Once you get used to the pressure, you will surely get better at time management, and are likely to pick up a few organising tricks. These are important skills in all aspects of life and will surely help you maintain balance when you fully step into the professional world after graduation.
Networking prospects
Working part-time could give you an edge over those who are not working when you start your career. You can use your part-time job to get an introduction to the corporate world, using this chance to further explore your interested career. You can begin networking with others in your chosen field before others, giving yourself a head start that will help you stand out at interviews after graduation.
Transferable skills
Working part-time can provide you with a skill set that is desirable to employers. Since, you have already been exposed to the working world, you would be more aware of the corporate culture. Not only know would you know how things work better than your batch-mates, you would also learn teamwork and be more adaptable to different environments. In fact, just the mere fact that you are simultaneously working and studying shows employers that you are ambitious and have an admirable work ethic.
CONS
Falling grades
Many parents believe that a job can be detrimental to studies. With the shortage of time, it is often difficult to attend all classes, maintain assignment deadlines, and manage good grades at the same time. Often one finds himself/herself struggling to maintain a good CGPA, which can have a bad effect on one's career later.
Finding the right job
Realistically, students are often new to the working world and with zero experience, finding the right job is rather difficult, especially one that is relevant to your field. Students are also prone to exploitation in terms of hours or pay. And while tutoring jobs are great to jog your memory on high-school theories and can pay great, they do not make your CV stand out.
Missing out
University life is supposed to be one of the best times of your life. With inspiring teachers and a diversified student body, university life is rather dynamic and if you spend more time at work, which you will be doing 24/7 after graduation anyway, there is a chance that you will miss out on university experiences. Many suggest being involved in voluntary work and club work in the university instead of working outside so that you can take away more from your university while you are there.
HOW TO MAKE THINGS EASIER
Whether you chose to work while studying, or want to concentrate just on studies is entirely up to you. Even the amount of work that you plan on doing is something only you can decide. While jobs such as tutoring or freelance photography should not take up too much of your time, the same may not be the case for jobs that are much more demanding and require you to work in an office. So, here are a few tips to make this easier for you.
Prioritise
If you have an assignment due the next day, it may not be wise to be start working for something that is due two weeks later. Use a diary or colour-code your calendar—anything that helps you keep track of your shifts, important deadlines, and social events.
Communication is key
Make sure you let your boss know early if you have important lectures or quizzes that you need to attend. Employers working with students usually know the limitations of a student's life, and should be pretty flexible with hours. Talk to your professors as well. In case you miss classes or lecturers, do not be shy to ask for help from your peers and tutors.
Take a break
Yes, it is going to get overwhelming which is why it is so important to take a break once in a while. Plan a weekend getaway with friends or take a stroll in the park if you are too busy to take a whole day off. Alternatively, just take the day off and catch up on sleep or movies. Not only will it improve your efficiency once you get back, it will also help you maintain a healthy lifestyle so that you do not overwork yourself and get sick. That way, you can easily get the best of both worlds!
Words: Adiba Mahbub Proma
Illustration: Ehsanur Raza Ronny
Adiba is a second-year student of Computer Science and Engineering at BRAC University