… by Jordana / from Newry / BSc Mathematics / 3rd Year (UG)
To work or not to work? Whether or not to take on a part-time job whilst at uni is a big decision for a lot of students. Especially in first year, it can be daunting. You suddenly have to deal with a new way of learning, you’ve (potentially) just moved to an entirely new city, and weirdly enough your mum hasn’t appeared at your student halls every night to make you a nice home cooked meal. Adding the commitment of employment to all of that can be a lot to handle. So that’s why I’m here, to give you some of my own thoughts and experiences on working while you’re at uni. Let’s start with a good old pros and cons list.
Why It’s Good:
- Uni can be expensive, and your student loan may not cover the cost of living entirely. So a part time job is a great way of earning some extra cash, and making your life a little bit easier.
- It looks great on your CV! You’ll have some experience to show for it, and the fact that you were able to work alongside your studies will impress employers.
- If you have a part-time job, this entitles you to complete an Edinburgh Award, which appears on your University transcript – yet another thing future employers will see.
- You’ll make new friends in different social circles, broadening your friendship group.
- Depending on where you work, you might even get some extra benefits. Because I work for a leisure company, I get free access to all of their gyms and swimming pools across the city, which is honestly pretty great and has really improved my fitness levels.
- Juggling uni and a job will force you into being more organised, as you’ll often have to plan ahead. Make sure you have your clean uniform ready for your next shift and your assignment due for the next day are safely packed away in your bag!
The Downside:
- You don’t have as much free time. This can suck, especially if some of your other friends don’t work and you feel left out of their plans. It’s not fun when everyone’s going out that night but you have to be up early for a 7am Saturday shift.
- It can be hard to work it around uni. Make sure you’re upfront with your manager about your uni timetable, so there are no overlaps.
- If you don’t manage your time well, it can get stressful and you sometimes feel a bit overwhelmed.
Overall, for me the pros have definitely outweighed the cons. I’m lucky enough to have found a job I really enjoy, and I get on well with my colleagues. That’s probably one of the most important things. If you do decide to work, there are definitely ways to make it easier.
Top Tips:
- Don’t overwork yourself. The University of Edinburgh recommends students work no more than 15 hours a week, and I would recommend sticking to this. It depends on your timetable of course, and everyone has a different workload tolerance. You’ll know yourself what’s best for you.
- Figure out your schedule. Would you rather work evenings? Weekends? A little bit of both? Make sure you’re clear on when you can work when arranging shifts. Unless you’re on a zero hours contract, any holidays need to be planned well in advance, so get your time off for the winter break booked in early!
- Make time for yourself. Self-care can easily slip when you’re trying to balance uni and work, so set aside some ‘me time’ when you can. Take a nice long walk, treat yourself to something you’ve had your eye on, or spend time playing a sport you’ve neglected. Whatever you enjoy!
- Plan your social life. Having a job means you might not be there for every night out, so make the ones you do go on worthwhile! Find out when things are happening in advance, and if it clashes with a shift, see if you can get it swapped. Spending time with your friends is important, and helps relieve any stress you might be feeling.
- Apply for things you would enjoy. The more you love it, the more enthusiastic you’ll be about showing up to work. There are all kinds of different jobs out there, so finding the right area for you shouldn’t be too difficult.
At the end of the day, working whilst at uni can be a really rewarding experience. It helps alleviate money worries, looks good on your CV, and you might even make a new best friend or two. At the very least, surely that means it’s worth a try?