As many high school students know, life can get a little crazy.
Between waking up for school, staying up late to finish homework, and trying to squeeze in extracurriculars, it is easy to feel overwhelmed.
But for 30% of students, adding a part time job to their schedule seems like a whole new level of stress. However, more and more high schoolers are pulling it off.
According to the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), about 20% of students at ages 14-18 are employed while attending school.
However, many think that it is impossible for students to handle because their schedules are already packed with classes, homework, and extracurriculars.
Some question how they could possibly fit in a job. But the thing is, having a job does not make grades suffer. In fact, a study found that students who work part-time tend to do better in school than those who do not. But how?
They learn how to manage their time and stay organized, which is very useful when it comes to schoolwork.
Students want to work in the first place for many different reasons.
For some, it is about having extra cash in their pockets. Having a job can cover expenses that parents do not want to cover like buying close or going out with friends.
Some students do it to save up for a car or college. Others get jobs to gain experiences and build their resumes for their careers in the future. Jobs are a great way to learn how to work with and be a part of a team and learn responsibilities.
“Working with other people really helped me learn how to communicate. Like if there is an altercation how can one compromise,” Hayden Reed (12) said.
Working also has its benefits. It teaches responsibility, communication skills, and how to handle money.
It is not always easy on some students, students who work have to be smart about how they spend time. They need to prioritize homework, studying, and work.
“Try to prioritize your school work. You’ll get behind if you don’t,” Hadley Leftin(12) said.
It is also super important to set boundaries.
Working too much can cause a negative impact on grades, so be mindful of responsibilities. Having more than 20 hours of work per week can lead students’ academic performances to decline, likely due to handling so much stress and responsibility at one time.
Something that helps students is having a good support system. Having family and friends be motivators can lead to success.
In the end, balancing work and school is definitely possible. It may take some effort but it is worth it in the end.
“Don’t be too hard on yourself and know your limit,” Reed said.
