Working while at uni

Original poster

MIAAN · 12/03/2021 13:42

@MIAAN

Hi, how many days per week do you think it is appropriate to work whilst in full time education? I have lectures two days a week so I was thinking to work part time two days a week, giving me three days of the week to study and take time for myself. Do you think this is appropriate or that I should be working more?

Just to add, I'm studying Environmental health. Imo, the workload is a bit much (or maybe I'm not used to it yet).

OP posts:

PresentingPercy · 12/03/2021 14:14

Do you not have work placements? Sounds like a vocational degree to me. Therefore not just classroom based being lecturers to. So I would check the commitments of the course. Many degrees will suggest 35-40 hours studying and work combination. If you have 2 days contact (12 hours) you will be expected to do a lot of self study. Again, check the expectations of the course and work back.

rbe78 · 12/03/2021 14:21

Can you work in the holidays instead? I worked more or less full time during the (extensive) uni holidays, but not at all during term time. I wouldn't reccommend working more than two days a week during term time, especially if you are finding the workload tough.

Original poster

MIAAN · 12/03/2021 17:08

@PresentingPercy

Do you not have work placements? Sounds like a vocational degree to me. Therefore not just classroom based being lecturers to. So I would check the commitments of the course. Many degrees will suggest 35-40 hours studying and work combination. If you have 2 days contact (12 hours) you will be expected to do a lot of self study. Again, check the expectations of the course and work back.

@PresentingPercy we have a one year work placement in the third year, the course is a science based course with four modules, I've been recommended to do 8 hours of study per module so I'm still trying to figure out what working hours would be best

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Original poster

MIAAN · 12/03/2021 17:10

@rbe78 I've been out of education for a few years which may be why I'm finding it tough. I'm in my first year almost third semester and only just got to grips with harvard referencing. I'd like the extra cash without prioritising a job over studies as I want to work on getting my grades up and hitting all of the marking criteria for assignments. The idea of getting a job is more so from my mom rather than from myself if I'm honest

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BackforGood · 12/03/2021 23:27

Sounds like you should have plenty of time to work.

The difficulty this year, is finding jobs that you can do. Typical 'student jobs' tend to be in hospitality, leisure and retail, all of which have been hit incredibly hard by the pandemic (except supermarkets).

Most students will work shifts at times when they aren't likely to be studying anyway - into the evenings, or overnight.

If you compare with 6th form. Even if you worked school hours plus another 10 hours a week (homework equivalent) that still leaves you plenty of time to pick up a couple of shifts at weekends or evenings. The bonus is you have flexibility as to when you are available.

Northernsoullover · 12/03/2021 23:32

I'm about to finish my EH degree. I've worked 16 hours per week for the first two years and I am now working in enforcement for the local authority for 25 hours per week.
Its a bit of a juggle at the moment with all my final assignments but it would be foolish to have turned the post down.
See if your local council has any technical officer vacancies.

Northernsoullover · 12/03/2021 23:33

By the way you want Cite this for me for your references. I just tidy them up a bit using Cite Them Right as a guide.

JeanClaudeVanDammit · 12/03/2021 23:35

I used to do 15 hours (3 x 5 hour shifts) and found that manageable. I didn’t have a huge amount of contact time though so was free to do my work at odd hours if necessary.

Original poster

MIAAN · 13/03/2021 21:17

@Northernsoullover

By the way you want Cite this for me for your references. I just tidy them up a bit using Cite Them Right as a guide.

Thanks for the tip will deffo check that out x

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Original poster

MIAAN · 13/03/2021 21:18

@JeanClaudeVanDammit

I used to do 15 hours (3 x 5 hour shifts) and found that manageable. I didn’t have a huge amount of contact time though so was free to do my work at odd hours if necessary.

That sounds like what I'd be looking to do, it's just a case of finding somewhere that will be hiring with those hours x

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Original poster

MIAAN · 13/03/2021 21:19

@BackforGood

Sounds like you should have plenty of time to work.

The difficulty this year, is finding jobs that you can do. Typical 'student jobs' tend to be in hospitality, leisure and retail, all of which have been hit incredibly hard by the pandemic (except supermarkets).

Most students will work shifts at times when they aren't likely to be studying anyway - into the evenings, or overnight.

If you compare with 6th form. Even if you worked school hours plus another 10 hours a week (homework equivalent) that still leaves you plenty of time to pick up a couple of shifts at weekends or evenings. The bonus is you have flexibility as to when you are available.

That's true, and in the area I live, all of the supermarkets are quite a distance for some reason and I'm not driving yet. I don't want to end up spending majority of wages on transport but I will keep looking :)

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