Having a part-time job at the same time that one is enrolled in classes can be a herculean circumstance in life. This is no longer a rarity nowadays, for so many parties have to depend on the salary to get them through up to graduation. Let me give some tips to make your life easier:
Prior to actual enrollment, have a firm idea on the kind of chores you would be asked to do. Plus, think of the job hours you could actually offer. If the 7-Eleven you would be working for would demand a double shift every other day, and your college course is law, then chances are, you would get burned out before the middle of the semester. Either you’d have to drop out from school, or be forced to resign from the job.
When you are going to get a day job, then enrolling in evening classes are the ideal choice. Check that schedules do not overlap, for it would produce many kinds of crises later on. Think also of commuting time from the school to work, or from home to school then to work, etc.
Attempt to get work that really interests you, and find one that jibes with your lifestyle. The better thing is to get that job in an industry directly linked to your course. Have a chat with your boss, and assuming he or she is accommodating enough, negotiate timetables and conflicts of scheduling, if any. Tell him or her that you are serious with work, while assuring your boss that you would be professional on the job – not just in terms of punctuality, but in all aspects. There are so many employers who would be glad when they learn that their employees are working students. (Some of these employers probably went through the same path.)
Maximize your time; do not let downtime pass by. Indulge in productive tasks; for example, if you take a bus going to the job, you could use that half-hour trip to read your college textbooks. If you say, “I am not used to reading while in transit,” give it a try first. Before you knew it, you’ve already been doing it.
Photo Credit : zoutedrop
