How can I avoid being burned out while working a part-time job as a full-time college student?

Question

I was an early graduate out of high school, and I just completed my first semester of college (Nursing major, going for my BSN). I have a 4.0 GPA, and would like to work part-time starting in the fall. My parents are worried about me getting burned out/the job adversely affecting my grades. I can understand their concerns, and getting burned out is the last thing I want to do, but I would like to be able to become more financially independent, and a job is certainly an avenue with which to do that. Time management has not been a problem in the past. Can anyone tell me about their experiences? I've applied at Starbucks (on campus) and am looking at a few other places. I would just love to hear some input. Thank you in advance!

Answer 1

If your time management is ok then the only thing you need to worry about is how to keep your energy levels up.  The best advice I can give here is, set some time aside as you can find it to chillax.  Find time to watch a really brainless TV show (cartoons work great for this) or take a nap.  

If you are looking for a part-time job to help with cash, you can do better than applying to fast food or service industry jobs.  They can be high-pressure and keep your stress levels high which might adversely affect your grades.  See if it's possible to find something like customer service in a furniture store or something similar, chatting to people about what sort of couch / TV / rug they are looking for is less likely to leave you stuffed and exhausted at the end of the day than serving 500 coffees to businesspeople in the morning.

Answer 2

my advice would be start your fall semester of school and get in the routine of your class schedual then if you realize that you can fit a job in there yet still maintaining your gpa then start looking. make sure that your schooling stays top priority because in the long run the education you recieved and how well you did will get you that better job! good luck!

Answer 3

Coming from a person that's been working and going to school since she was a Junior in high school, I think I may be able to help.

First, take it slow.  Like unbearable, not really making much slow.  This is usually the first mistake I see people make that come from going to school to working.  I'd say just working the weekends for a little bit, until you get the hang of going to school and working long shifts.  Then, when you feel ready (so, maybe two weeks to a month), add one week day, usually a Friday or a Monday, something will still coincide with the working.

Soon, you'll get into the the rhythm of going to school and working but always remember to have a steady work schedule.  Make it so that you always have one or two days off.  For example, in high school, I always had Tuesdays and Thursday off, mostly because in the fall I would have practices for things but in the Spring I kept it because it gave me those two guaranteed days of freedom.  Keep something like this and you wont have that dreaded feeling of having to work everyday on a week that you have a major assignment due.

It's always good to know that  when you need to take a break, due.  If you think you've taken too much on, just face the facts and limit working (school is always more important).  

As a major point, always try and ask off for the week of finals.  It'll do you good.  Make sure you ask early, though, so as to beat everyone else.

And finally, pick a job that you know you'll like and you feel you could do properly.  If you hate your job, it'll make you burn out faster.  Trust me on this one.

Anyways, I hope I've helped!  Good luck with everything, hon!

Answer 4

It's good that you're trying to be more financially independent! However, working part-time on top of being a full-time student is a lot of work. It's a major time commitment, like your parents mentioned.

Working at Starbucks is probably a lot of work, and sometimes it's no fun having to deal with grumpy college students. You should consider a job that's low key and where you can also do some homework on the side.

A good job is working in the library, like at the reference desk. Sometimes if it's slow, you might be able to do your homework. It's a pretty low-key job and students get paid roughly the same amount as though they worked at Starbucks.

Another might be working in a computer lab, perhaps checking students in and out of the labs (if your school does this). Or you can be a computer technician, if you're good at it. Basically, you're just paid to sit at the computer, and in the meantime, you can work on a paper, do research, or go on facebook!

Or you can perhaps work for a professor doing research. It's a great way to form a good relationship with your professor, and it's even better if it's in your field of study. It shows your interest in your field of study, which may come in handy and give you an advantage over another nursing student.

Should you decide to work, and it gets to be too much, worse comes to worse, you can always quit. Just remember, your studies are more beneficial than having a few dollars in your wallet! Good luck!