6 answers
Daeshawn
Student
Oshkosh, Wisconsin
1
Question
Asked
1461 views
How hard is it to flex my school work and job together without failing school?
I'm looking for a first time job. My parents are very supportive about it and its flexible with school.
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6 answers
Julia Howard
Insurance Claims Management
4
Answers
Sanford, Florida
Updated
Julia’s Answer
Balancing school and a first job can definitely feel overwhelming at first—but it’s absolutely doable, especially with supportive parents and a flexible schedule like yours. 💪
Here are a few tips that might help:
Start Small: Begin with a part-time role that offers consistent hours. This helps you build a routine without overloading your schedule.
Use a Planner: Whether it’s a digital calendar or a paper planner, tracking your assignments, shifts, and deadlines can help you stay ahead.
Communicate Early: Let your employer know about your school priorities. Most are happy to work around exams or big projects if you give them a heads-up.
Prioritize Self-Care: Don’t forget to rest! Burnout can sneak up fast when you’re juggling both school and work.
It’s great that you’re thinking ahead. A job can teach you time management, responsibility, and even help you discover what kind of work you enjoy. You’ve got this!
Here are a few tips that might help:
Start Small: Begin with a part-time role that offers consistent hours. This helps you build a routine without overloading your schedule.
Use a Planner: Whether it’s a digital calendar or a paper planner, tracking your assignments, shifts, and deadlines can help you stay ahead.
Communicate Early: Let your employer know about your school priorities. Most are happy to work around exams or big projects if you give them a heads-up.
Prioritize Self-Care: Don’t forget to rest! Burnout can sneak up fast when you’re juggling both school and work.
It’s great that you’re thinking ahead. A job can teach you time management, responsibility, and even help you discover what kind of work you enjoy. You’ve got this!
Lydia Butler
Claims Manager
3
Answers
Chicago, Illinois
Updated
Lydia’s Answer
Hi Daeshawn! It's great that you want to start working early and gain some experience to go along with your education. I agree with others in saying that education should come first and is a priority to be focused on while you are able to. Balancing work (academics and work experience) and maintaining personal well-being is always work in itself and depends on the type of classes you are taking along with your aspirations for where you want to go in your future. It's also great that your parents are supportive. I would recommend you consider your current interests along with a couple areas you are thinking to focus on after high school. Start researching internships and training programs in those areas, which can give you insight into those areas as well as begin your experience. As a parent of a college student and volunteer working with youth, some of the common things I hear is that early insight into jobs / areas of study is crucial in determining where to attend college, helped to shape future interests or modify interests, guided networking opportunities and so much more! Some companies in the US are able to offer paid internships, (primarily during summer months) to not interfere with academics and allow students to learn and focus, contributing to balancing and determining future aspirations; while of course, allowing them to impact their professional future.
Wishing you all the best, as you navigate your journey towards success!
Wishing you all the best, as you navigate your journey towards success!
Wong Loke Yuen
Head of Programme cum Senior Lecturer
645
Answers
Johor Bahru, Johor, Malaysia
Updated
Wong’s Answer
Since this is your first job, it's important to start slow and not take on too many hours. It's great that your parents are supportive and that the job you are looking for is flexible with school. This makes a big difference because it means you can focus on your studies first and work during your free time.
Time management is the most important skill to learn. You will need to create a schedule and stick to it. Make sure to set aside time for homework, studying, and rest. If you try to do everything at once, you may get tired or stressed, and that can affect your grades and health.
It's also important to communicate with your boss and teachers. Let them know if you're feeling overwhelmed. Most people understand that students have a lot to deal with, and they may help you by adjusting your schedule or giving you extra time for assignments.
A job is helpful for gaining experience and earning money, but your education comes first. As long as you stay organized, don't overwork yourself, and ask for help when you need it, you can succeed in both school and work. All the best.
Time management is the most important skill to learn. You will need to create a schedule and stick to it. Make sure to set aside time for homework, studying, and rest. If you try to do everything at once, you may get tired or stressed, and that can affect your grades and health.
It's also important to communicate with your boss and teachers. Let them know if you're feeling overwhelmed. Most people understand that students have a lot to deal with, and they may help you by adjusting your schedule or giving you extra time for assignments.
A job is helpful for gaining experience and earning money, but your education comes first. As long as you stay organized, don't overwork yourself, and ask for help when you need it, you can succeed in both school and work. All the best.
Michelle M.
Actress
3276
Answers
Updated
Michelle’s Answer
Hello, Daeshawn !
I think that I can explain for you the easiest, yet very beneficial, way to work while you are enrolled full time at college.
There is a Program through Federal Student Financial Aid called the Work Study Program. You apply for it when you apply for student financial aid. If you know the college you will attend, visit their Financial Aid office to discuss it. The reason why this is perfect for you is because you work at the work study job around your class schedule and when you're available as well, it is on campus and you wouldn't have to leave campus, drive to a job in the community and use that time commuting. Another reason it's great is that you can work in your major field, get experience working in the subject you one day will be pursuing for employment and that job will show that you already have experience.
Once you apply for Federal Student Financial Aid and have checked the Work Study option, you will eventually receive response about your financial aid. That response would show that you've been granted Work Study and you take that to whatever on campus Department and say that you're seeking a work study job and you're a particular Major. You can possibly work in your Major Department which would be ideal. For now, visit a campus financial aid office and watch some videos which I've linked below for you.
I would recommend taking a Work Study job in your Major Department. I was a theatre major so chose my Work Study job in the Theatre Department. Because I had a job in that field and was able to show it on a resume, it played a large part of my obtaining my first career position after I graduated. Not only that, I learned a lot about theatre, my major. You also can build stronger contact with your professors that teach your major subjects. It's all good. And you know you will be happy with it because it's what you're studying and around people you already know. If you try to get a random job off campus, it may not be as satisfying as one in your career interest. Work Study is great preparation for your future.
So the easiest way to do this is through Work Study. The financial aid program pays you, not the college. Also remember, to possibly obtain additional monies, you can apply for scholarships and grants. For more information about this, re-post a question regarding it and state what college and major you are going to attend.
If you are concerned about "failing", and I am not sure why, you can always start off with four courses totaling 12 credits to meet the Federal Student Financial Aid requirement to receive all forms of federal financial aid. You do not have to spend your whole day working at a work study job. There is a formula based on the rate of pay, how much they give you for work study and that is calculated to how many hours you'd need to work every week. I used to work 2 hours a day and if I had rare free time maybe a little more. You work until you've used the allotment of your Work Study money. The videos below and an on campus Financial Aid office can explain it to you.
Remember that Work Study jobs are flexible but a job at an off-campus company may not be so flexible as they may need you at certain times.
Work Study worked out great for me so I advise looking into it as a priority option to have a smooth experience at college. I hope this helps and I wish you all the best !
INFORMATIVE VIDEOS ABOUT THE WORK STUDY PROGRAM FOR A JOB WHILE ATTENDING COLLEGE https://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=All+about+the+Student+Work+Study+Program
I think that I can explain for you the easiest, yet very beneficial, way to work while you are enrolled full time at college.
There is a Program through Federal Student Financial Aid called the Work Study Program. You apply for it when you apply for student financial aid. If you know the college you will attend, visit their Financial Aid office to discuss it. The reason why this is perfect for you is because you work at the work study job around your class schedule and when you're available as well, it is on campus and you wouldn't have to leave campus, drive to a job in the community and use that time commuting. Another reason it's great is that you can work in your major field, get experience working in the subject you one day will be pursuing for employment and that job will show that you already have experience.
Once you apply for Federal Student Financial Aid and have checked the Work Study option, you will eventually receive response about your financial aid. That response would show that you've been granted Work Study and you take that to whatever on campus Department and say that you're seeking a work study job and you're a particular Major. You can possibly work in your Major Department which would be ideal. For now, visit a campus financial aid office and watch some videos which I've linked below for you.
I would recommend taking a Work Study job in your Major Department. I was a theatre major so chose my Work Study job in the Theatre Department. Because I had a job in that field and was able to show it on a resume, it played a large part of my obtaining my first career position after I graduated. Not only that, I learned a lot about theatre, my major. You also can build stronger contact with your professors that teach your major subjects. It's all good. And you know you will be happy with it because it's what you're studying and around people you already know. If you try to get a random job off campus, it may not be as satisfying as one in your career interest. Work Study is great preparation for your future.
So the easiest way to do this is through Work Study. The financial aid program pays you, not the college. Also remember, to possibly obtain additional monies, you can apply for scholarships and grants. For more information about this, re-post a question regarding it and state what college and major you are going to attend.
If you are concerned about "failing", and I am not sure why, you can always start off with four courses totaling 12 credits to meet the Federal Student Financial Aid requirement to receive all forms of federal financial aid. You do not have to spend your whole day working at a work study job. There is a formula based on the rate of pay, how much they give you for work study and that is calculated to how many hours you'd need to work every week. I used to work 2 hours a day and if I had rare free time maybe a little more. You work until you've used the allotment of your Work Study money. The videos below and an on campus Financial Aid office can explain it to you.
Remember that Work Study jobs are flexible but a job at an off-campus company may not be so flexible as they may need you at certain times.
Work Study worked out great for me so I advise looking into it as a priority option to have a smooth experience at college. I hope this helps and I wish you all the best !
Michelle recommends the following next steps:
Rebecca Tang
Banking
2397
Answers
Hong Kong
Updated
Rebecca’s Answer
Thank you for your question. Firstly, you need to find a good time management tool. Eg Google calendar, ms outlook, phone calendar, etc
Below are my suggestions:
1.Put down the time you need to attend school
2. Assign some time every day on your assignment and projects. Review the material cover in the class every day .
3. Make sure you have enough sleep and do some exercises
4. You can then allocate remaining time for the part time job
Hope this helps! Good luck!
May Almighty God bless you!
Below are my suggestions:
1.Put down the time you need to attend school
2. Assign some time every day on your assignment and projects. Review the material cover in the class every day .
3. Make sure you have enough sleep and do some exercises
4. You can then allocate remaining time for the part time job
Hope this helps! Good luck!
May Almighty God bless you!
Don Holland
Member Service Representative/Food Runner
244
Answers
Austin, Texas
Updated
Don’s Answer
Hello Daeshawn,
It is good that you want to work while also doing school at the same time. It can be difficult at times when it comes to balance depending on the subjects you are taking and how many hours you are working at your job. It all comes down to balance, how you approach each situation and the support you have around you. For myself, I've had difficulties a couple times when it comes to the balance but it is all about how organized and how you create time to complete what you need to do. Hope you are able to find balance and wish you the best with school!
It is good that you want to work while also doing school at the same time. It can be difficult at times when it comes to balance depending on the subjects you are taking and how many hours you are working at your job. It all comes down to balance, how you approach each situation and the support you have around you. For myself, I've had difficulties a couple times when it comes to the balance but it is all about how organized and how you create time to complete what you need to do. Hope you are able to find balance and wish you the best with school!