How hard it is to be a working student?

Philippines
August 17, 2010 12:09pm CST
I really admire these students that is able to balance work and their studies. Usually these people are the ones working in the fast food chains for a few hours and not the regular 8-9 hours of work. It is also fun because they are already earning and will be able to support themselves. They can actually still help for their families. They are the ones supporting themselves now. I appreciate all the hard work they are doing because they are working hard for their money and not able to depend on their parents who can make them proud. The things that are really hard in this situation in being a working students are the extra time they should spend studying and working on difficult projects which can compromise their work. If there would be no change of shifts with their work then there would no problem on the class schedules. What do you think of these admirable people who can balance their work and studies? what are the things that is hard for them to do in this situation? what are the things that they can be proud of if they finished their studies being a working student?
1 person likes this
21 responses
@thanks1961 (7035)
• India
18 Aug 10
Hi dear, You are very much concerned of many good topics. Your query has very much relevance in these days. In fact students are the great asset for each and every country. But now-a-days, the education becomes a burden for the parents. The fees and the expenses for each child is keep increasing. Even in the early education also too expensive and not affordable. In the case of higher studies also the fact is not so different. Parents are having a lots of other expenses and at the same time they need to help their child for their studies also. The fees as well as other expenses are unable to meet with. In such conditions the students are forced to get some jobs at their study intervals. There are a lot of highlights for those students. I know few of them personally and they are happy as well as hard working also. I have noticed a few things as well. They are smart enough and most of them will succeed their exams with a grade marks also. The students who are also working are experienced enough, how to handle the studies and they got clear cut vision on their time tables. They spend a good time for studies and work for a better earning. Also, once they complete their studies, it is easy for them to get into new jobs and higher paid positions as they already have work experience on the same line. I think they are quite capable of work balancing and life management with their early life and many are achieved their goals with a great results. In short, there is some negative side also. As they are managing both, the health conditions may get deteriorated. However, those who are bothered of the same will take care of their health and will find good amount of leisure time in between. Regards, Thank-s
1 person likes this
• India
20 Aug 10
Hi dear, Thank for come back with few valid responses and comments. You are true and correct and also nicely worded. At present the system of education also got changed a lot. We know campus interviews and placements also are happening in several well known places. But, there are a majority of students who thrown out with bad result and known as 'failures'. What is their future. A substandard future with no hope around them. What is destiny, they should adopt it. The social imbalance of rich and poor (haves/have nots) and heaping up of money on a limited rich people. The products of their life will be easier. But a vast majority of ordinary or common people having 2-3 children would suffer a lot. So, a better awareness on children about the circumstances should be provided by the parents and to learn better from the school level itself. It may ultimately motivate them to realise the facts. And also may get a strong stimulus to think today about a better tomorrow. Regards, Thank-s
1 person likes this
• Philippines
20 Aug 10
Thank you for the nice comment on my reply. It should be the parents who should create efforts to let their kids on college if they know for themselves that their sons and daughters are not able to carry on with the working student life or the scholarships that is being granted for the top students. If they really wanted their lives to have a better quality in the future then they should do it right away. I can see where you got your discussion of the education system that you have posted yesterday. You are correct. they should really act now.
• Philippines
19 Aug 10
Hello there! You are making me blush with your first statement. Yes most of the topics I am posting just pops out inside my head. People are now with their own initiative to succeed in life would just go working while studying at the same time because they have a clear vision of what they wanted to be in the future. By working so hard and achieving all their goals in life in the future. Being a graduate and finishing something will make them successful in life plus their experience they have gone through will make them ready for the challenges that lies ahead. It will then be easier for them to do the difficult things because they are already used to it since they work and studied at the same time. You are absolutely correct about the risk of the health that they will have because of the fact that they are restless. We should balance the three and not only 2 which are you studies, work and your health. Or the time for yourself to relax and have enough amount of sleep at least. There is no way you will be successful if your health is at stake. Thank you for the nice and realistic response my dear. Have a great weekend.
• Philippines
18 Aug 10
When I was in college, I had many classmates who worked while studying. I admire them. During my first 2 years in law school, I was also a working student... a law student and full-time accountant at the same time. In God's grace, I was able to work well while maintaining my scholarship. I would have wanted to continue as such, getting the best of both worlds, but my health condition did not anymore permit me to do so. I often got sick and was advised to choose just one. I chose to stop working. It's OK, though. My Mom is very supportive. She shouldered my education again. In return, I maintain my scholarship.
1 person likes this
• Philippines
20 Aug 10
I have saved some of my earnings, but it wasn't that big because I used to pay for all my school expenses. Now it's all depleted. Haha! But thanks to my Mom. She deserves a world tour when I become a lawyer. Thank you for your kind words. May you be blessed in all ways.
• Philippines
19 Aug 10
I admire you for having all that! Yes we should also not compromise our health because if we are sick then all of our hopes and dreams would go down. It is great to have a mother who will support you all the way. I am also pretty sure that you have lots of savings when you were still working as an accountant before you quit your job for health purposes. It is always good to prioritize first your studies because it is the one who will make you to be put to what you always dreamed of. take care of your health and have a great week ahead of you princess.
1 person likes this
• Philippines
20 Aug 10
Hello there! Yes your mom should really be treated great when you became a lawyer. The fruits of both of your labor would all be in a nice place. God bless us always too. Thank you.
• United States
18 Aug 10
Hard! I tried to balance school and work once and my grades began slipping. I had to make a choice between the two, and I chose school. Working and making money is great, but I know that I have to get my degree or I will never get a job that pays well.
• Philippines
19 Aug 10
Absolutely true. Being a graduate or having a degree is still always been a major requirement in applying for companies. It is a good choice that you did for prioritizing studies first. thank you for sharing and have a great week end.
@jamed28 (1903)
• Philippines
18 Aug 10
It depends on the job that you are doing at the same time you are studying. But hat ever is the job it is hard compare to just simply being a student. Working students are excellent example of a hard worker. Doing two important things at the same time is a though job.
1 person likes this
• Philippines
19 Aug 10
Yes I agree. If your work is just easy then you will have no problem doing your studies. But if it requires a full amount of time like 8 hours of work then that would be really difficult. What makes it tough is how to balance it. thank you for posting a nice response and have a great weekend.
@jennbart (1330)
• Philippines
18 Aug 10
VERY hard. I was once a college student who is also working for a call center. I have a class at 9am, and I go out of the office at 7am! I only sleep in the car since I also have an office mate who also goes to the same school as I am and I take a ride with him. I always fall asleep in class still holding my mouse and one hand is on my keyboard. lol!! My teacher gave me a passing grade since I always make sure I pass my assignments on time and goes to school everyday even if I am having a hard time waking myself up during class!
1 person likes this
• Philippines
19 Aug 10
Yes thank you for sharing some scenarios that is really happening being a working student. You will really need to do great in some other things like never be absent to your class or pass the projects and assignments on time. You can also add that you have to pass all the exams so that you will be sure you will pass that subject. Thank you for sharing your experience. It will all pay off great once you graduate.
• China
18 Aug 10
I know that to be a working student is not so easy, because i'm a student too, but,of course, i'm not a working student. i am a student that only need to care about my study because my family's economic condition is not very bad and my parents have enough money for me to study in college.Although my only assignment is just stduy, i still feel my time is insuffucient. So i'm also wondering how these working students to balance their work and studies just as you said. So i went to ask one of my best friends who is a working student.He said that the most important things for a working student is efficiency and time management.Efficiency means that you should finish the tasks faster than other people. and ,time management, means that you should oraganize all the tasks you want to do,give them the priority.Which task should be the first,which task should be the second, you must know that clearly. as a result, a working student should be a lord of time so that they can balance their study and work ,and they always have a plan to do so.It's realy hard for a working student because they have little spare time and always have to do a lot of brainwork.I admire them so much
1 person likes this
• Philippines
19 Aug 10
Yes you are absolutely correct. Efficiency and Time Management are their keys to balance their studies and work. I would also consider them really smart because they just have to study some things in a short period of time because of their work. It is good for you that your family is the one supporting you and you don't have to worry anything at all rather than pass all of your subjects. Thank you for sharing your experience and the things your friend said. Have a great weekend!
@sunny5u (2069)
• India
18 Aug 10
Hi aaronfyzeon this question completely suits for me. Because i completed my B-Tech in Electronics and Communications Engineering and i am working in a reputed company from last two years and working in shifts and at present i am doing my MBA and completed my exams yesterday and waiting for the results. With shifts and studies. It is the hardest situation i have ever faced.
• Philippines
19 Aug 10
That is good for you because you are able to graduate your BSECE course. You are also now having your Masters degree and you have managed it all by yourself and it really means a lot. Eventhough how hard the situation is, you still managed it all. Being in shifts is really hard when you are still studying because for sure it will affect you schedule being in school. I know how it feels. thank you for sharing your experience. Have a wonderful weekend.
@reckon21 (3479)
• Philippines
18 Aug 10
I was once a working student before and I must say that it's really hard. Both my parents are incapable of sending me and my other siblings to a good school so I have to work hard and at the same time study. The stress and all that is included and it's not a good thing at all. But i survived it.
• Philippines
19 Aug 10
Thank you for sharing! It is really good that you have survived. It is one great achievement to be able to send yourself to school all by yourself. Your parents will be most proud on you. Have a nice weekend.
@canofan (36)
• United States
17 Aug 10
Let me tell you it is not easy, In highschool i was doing school 5 days a week and working 32 hours a week i had no weekends and barely any free time to do stuff, and the problem was that i didnt give 100% to neither because I was soo tired and burnt out, I would not suggest doing more then 20-24 a week in highschool, college is a different story
1 person likes this
• Philippines
19 Aug 10
That was pretty tough! already working in high school? that is really something. at least you can be proud to say that you are already have a great time management because you have been with all these stuff. Thank you for sharing your experience. Have a great day.
@madteaparty (2748)
• Japan
18 Aug 10
Well, as a working student I can say that yes, it`s tiring and difficult to work and study at the same time, as you have less time for everything and I often go back home too tired to study. You can`t always depend on your family, as they help us a big part of our lives, and there`s a moment when we have to show that we have been well raised and are able to stand on our two own feet
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• Philippines
19 Aug 10
Yes it is really difficult, when you get home all you have to do is have a rest or go to sleep and will not have time to study anymore. Working and studying at the same time is also a good way of showing that they can be proud of what you have become because you are able to stand on your own and their efforts are now being paid off. thank you for sharing and have a wonderful weekend.
• Philippines
18 Aug 10
Studying at the same time working as a call center agent. That was me when I was in college. It's tough and very challenging, a lot of things that I really need to sacrifice hurts me deeply. A lot of moments that I missed because of time and priorities. But in the end you know how much accomplishments you earned. Not only the units and the grades nor the degree you earned finishing college, but the feeling of fulfillment from your own tears, blood and sweat. ;)
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• Philippines
19 Aug 10
That is exactly what I wanted to hear. feeling of fulfillment or a fulfilled feeling after you have graduated being a working student. It will also make us very proud of ourselves and will have a chance for us to get promoted to where we are working now. You are already a graduate and being a graduate is ALWAYS BEEN a requirement for a promotion. I also wanted to hear the blood and sweat that flowed out from you figuratively when you are doing these things at the same time. It really requires a hard work balancing them together. It will also affect your subject schedules when you have to change your shifts from your job. We also needed to sacrifice some things like the time for ourselves. Instead of going out with your officemates there you are studying or already sleep instead of having a great time. and not only that! there are lots of things I can state here that we needed to sacrifice. It is also good that you take those difficulties as A CHALLENGE. There is no greater feeling that we will have if we are able to SURPASS all those challenges that we ourselves set. I marked this as the best response for stating all the things I really need to hear or read. Thank you and continue to post great responses without exerting too much effort on the things you are posting. Have a great weekend.
• Philippines
18 Aug 10
I think it's hard for them to study in that situation coz their time is so limited but I believe for this working students they are intelligent person they effort sacrifice for the sake of their future but I believe in every sacrifices their will be success in the future
1 person likes this
• Philippines
19 Aug 10
Hello there and thank you for the nice response. Yes I guess they are naturally intelligent or let's say really smart people because they don't have much time studying but then they are able to still pass their subjects. They also know how to manage their time as well which is a really good way of having that kind of quality because we need it in the future. Have a great day.
@BigTips (304)
• China
17 Aug 10
For those working student, it is really necessary to earn a living themselves during their college life. Even if they have no interest in making money by doing part-time jobs, they will have to do that because they are in need of money. They need to earn more cash to support their college fees, sometimes, they also need to support their family with some extra money. For them to balance their work and study is a difficult thing. So, we often see that these students are also busy with their things at hand, busy with their dinner, their work and study. Through their own efforts, when they have finished their college education, they tend to find a better job easily because of their hard work during college life.
1 person likes this
• Philippines
19 Aug 10
Yes you are absolutely correct. They have to work hard for their money for them to be able to support their college life. They should also be self-disciplined people not to spend on things that are not needed because they have to help themselves and save also for rainy days. That is a great benefit after finishing college that they already gained experience working so that it will be just easy for them to land on the jobs that they wanted. Thank you for the nice response.
@ash_gray (128)
• Philippines
17 Aug 10
I've been a working student when I was still studying at college I work as an encoder in a small internet cafe in our city. I work for 5 hours a day in my part time job. It's really hard to manage your time when your a working student especially when it is examination you need to review all your subjects and at the same time you need to go to your job. But I have manage my time and balance my work and studies during that years. I finished my college degree at the same time earned an working experience.
1 person likes this
• Philippines
19 Aug 10
Yes it really is a hard to manage your time. But 5 hours a day of work is not already bad. But if you still have to study at some certain hard subjects after school then it would really take your time from doing something else. That is a great thing that you used your job experience applying for the work that you wanted. Thank you for sharing your wonderful experience.
• China
18 Aug 10
Almost every student, especially college student, wants to make money by themselves instead of relying on their parents for financial support. But it is definitely not an easy task to balance work and studies. As college students, they really need to focus on their studies to make sure they'll have a promising future which is the foundation of their making a large fortune. I've seen and heard so many students who studies were affected by working outside. Though I always admire those who are able to balance work and studies, I'm not in favor of doing part-time jobs because what students learn in college is what they'll have to depend on after they graduate. If they spend too much time on working, they won't have enough time to study. Of course, this is only my personal idea and I'm saying this based on my personal experience.
• Philippines
19 Aug 10
I have to agree with you that it is really hard to balance work and studies. But you will have no choice if you are not able to support yourself financially or neither you parents could afford it. You will just have to learn how to manage your time wisely so that you will be able to extract some time studying some difficult subjects after class and just focus on your work during work hours. A part time working is the best if you are studying in college. Just choose a certain amount of units so that your work will also not be compromised. It is just a matter of planning and learning to adhere to what you have planned. Believe me, it will really be a great feeling when you are all done with that. It is already an achievement when you graduate plus you add your job experience in it then it would be awesome. thank you for sharing your thoughts and have a great day.
@lulu1220 (1006)
• United States
17 Aug 10
When I was in college I had a part time job for about 20 hours a week. It was difficult to do sometimes, but I liked earning my own money. I had to rely less and less on my parents financially.
• Philippines
19 Aug 10
Hello there! That is good for you that you don't have to rely much on your parents financially when you were in college. It is really a major thing that ease to them that you were supporting yourself. 20 hours a week is not pad for a part time job. But then again there would be some minor conflicts. But you were able to surpass them all. Thank you for sharing your experience. Have a great weekend ahead of you.
@zralte (4178)
• India
17 Aug 10
I know I could not do it. So I admire the people who can. It is awfully difficult just studying. And when you have to worry about your job as well.....well....I have to say, ' My hat's off to anyone who work and study'. I did work part time for six months at the end of my Masters, but then, by that time, it was only project work left, and no class schedule. All I had to do was do my research and type up my project report - which was pretty much copy from some other reports and collate them and add my own findings, blah blah.... But I liked telling my mother that she need not send me any money for the last 6 months as I was able to support myself.
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@jamuls (530)
• Philippines
17 Aug 10
they're really something. i can't imagine doing this... studying and working at the same time. i can study and i can work but to to balance them on a daily basis? that's something. :) good luck to you all working students out there! :)
1 person likes this
• Philippines
19 Aug 10
Thank you Jamuls for appreciating their efforts! I agree that it is really something. If it's going to be a daily work and your schedule going to school is daily as well then it will really be hard. the time for yourself is only going to be sleeping and doing your regular routines. Yes good luck to them and may they succeed in life.
• Libya
18 Aug 10
i think i'm going to start working i will be in collage soon and hate to ask my mother or father for money so work is nice
• Philippines
19 Aug 10
Good for you! But if they really are willing to send you in college then it should really not be a problem for you. The thing is, if you are working, you will have a money on your own. But you also have to spend wisely. If they are still supporting you and you are still working then you should really need to focus on your studies and do not let you parents down. If you are having troubles balancing your time from work then you should quit working and focus on the thing that is really important to you. You should also have to think that working at that time will just give you temporary success but if you are a graduate then you will be a someone. Do not think that after college we are after to look for work so now you will have a reason not to go to college anymore because you were already working. Have a great day.
• Philippines
20 Aug 10
hello thanks for the comment I agree to what you have comment...have a nice day
• United States
17 Aug 10
Hello Aaronfyzeon, It's funny that you mention this, I am a student, employee, and mother of 3. I know it's pretty hard for students going to college and even trying to work part time, but to attend college, work a full time job in the corporate world, and then come home to my beautiful kids (which is another job in itself) is quite a workload. Things get especially hectic when they participate in sports or after school activities that I would hate to deprive them of. I applaud anyone who can attend school and still hold down a job because the two of them alone can be stressful and can really wear you down. Something that would be hard for a working student to do would be attend all of the local parties or clubs. Being a working student requires very good time management. So they would need to be as focused as possible. A benefit of working while attending school is that you can possibly be gaining experience or skills that can be utilized further down the road. In addition to getting a paycheck you are helping to build your resume and you are developing a steady work history.
• Philippines
19 Aug 10
Wow!! I really admire you for being a superwoman! I guess that is the right term for you. Yes you are absolutely correct that you will already have a work experience when applying for a job in which certain companies require. You will basically won't have time for yourself being a full time mom part time worker and student. It is really hard for you to have a good time. But i am really sure it is already a good time being with your kids.