Benefits of work at university

With the high costs incurred by university, many students pursue the option of part-time work at university to accompany their studies. Although this can prove a vital source of income, sensibly reducing financial stress and enabling you to live a comfortable social life, it is important that you ensure it doesn’t interfere with your studies.

The availability of part-time employment both on and off-campus means many students will begin the year by sending around applications and CVs, in a bid to beat the competition to the jobs. Bar-work, retail, and waiting (on tables at a restaurant, not for buses), are all popular roles for students to take on, due their scope for flexibility, and with the exception of retail, the option of evening work. Employers taking on students, especially those on-campus, will be aware of their varying schedules, and are likely to accommodate this, within reason.

As well as the often flexible nature of such work, working on-campus is a great way to make friends, with employees often enjoying socials, adding another incentive for seeking work. Working in bars or cafeterias on-campus often proves a popular avenue for students to explore. With the high volume of students you will be working with, everyone is essentially in the same boat and, as such, there is a sense of camaraderie when it comes to requesting cover for a shift due to a high work-load. Also, due to the convenient location of the work, you are ensuring that minimal time is wasted travelling between home and your job, and it is even possible to follow up a shift with a stint in the library.

With students often complaining about not having enough money to eat ‘proper food’ (more often than not due to it being spent on beer),part-time work can provide an ideal solution, ensuring time isn’t being wasted worrying about the disappearing pennies come the day of rent. However, it is important that you have a carefully considered balance between your studies, else you risk your academic performance slipping, which let’s not forget is generally the main reason to go to university.

But avoid burnout

Whilst universities will not begrudge you working part-time, they are likely to advise you not to take on more than 16 hours a week, in the interests of your independent study time. Considering the high volume of work that you will be faced with during times of assessment, work could interrupt with your revision or coursework. By committing to a limited number of hours of work only, you are ensuring you can remain productive on the studies front. It is easy to be drawn to the money and let your studies fall behind in your priorities, which is a dangerous scenario for any student. Ensuring that your work hours still enable you to work to your academic potential is vital, and this includes accommodating for your independent study time.

It is important to consider your downtime, too, as high workloads, both academic and employment, could take their toll on your physical and emotional well-being, if you find yourself frequently working around the clock. At university, it is important to give yourself time to unwind and relax, as lectures, employment and drinking sessions can take their toll.