The Student Room Group

Am I taking on too much?

I'm starting uni in september. I'm studying economics and hope to achieve a first in my first year. I'm also going to be holding down two part time jobs, learning french and hoping to fit in a social life...do any current uni students think that this is doable? Or is it too much?

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Reply 1
Hi THERE!
I think you are brave. You can do it, but take it slowly and do not stress about it yet
Tbh, depends on hours for your jobs, how much of a social life you will have etc...
It can be done but I can assure you uni is far from easy. So, try it up until Christmas/January and see how you feel.

I do think you will be spreading yourself incredibly thin though...
Am currently just about to start my third year of Biomedical Science.
Original post by queenofdarkness
I'm starting uni in september. I'm studying economics and hope to achieve a first in my first year. I'm also going to be holding down two part time jobs, learning french and hoping to fit in a social life...do any current uni students think that this is doable? Or is it too much?


Depends on the extent of the 2 part time jobs and how much french you want to learn

most ppl have 1 part time job plus at least another commitment and get on fine tho....
Original post by Scienceisgood
Tbh, depends on hours for your jobs, how much of a social life you will have etc...
It can be done but I can assure you uni is far from easy. So, try it up until Christmas/January and see how you feel.

I do think you will be spreading yourself incredibly thin though...
Am currently just about to start my third year of Biomedical Science.

I'm going to be doing 25 hours in total for my job so its not full time but do you think I'd be better off doing one part time job?
Original post by queenofdarkness
I'm going to be doing 25 hours in total for my job so its not full time but do you think I'd be better off doing one part time job?


You do know the recommended amount of time reading your subject is approximately 1,200 hours right?
That equates to 50 days worth of reading.
I think if you can afford to only do one part time job then that would be a good idea. Have you looked at the format (exam to coursework ratio) of your degree in your first year? If there's going to be loads of coursework throughout then you might want to consider taking on less.
Original post by Scienceisgood
You do know the recommended amount of time reading your subject is approximately 1,200 hours right?
That equates to 50 days worth of reading.

50 days a year??
Original post by queenofdarkness
50 days a year??


That's what mine is.
Just go for it. Much better to aim too high and not quite reach it than not push yourself.

If it's too much it's not hard to stop learning French or spend a few nights less in.

All I'd say is unless you really need the cash 25 hours is a lot of work..

Original post by queenofdarkness
I'm starting uni in september. I'm studying economics and hope to achieve a first in my first year. I'm also going to be holding down two part time jobs, learning french and hoping to fit in a social life...do any current uni students think that this is doable? Or is it too much?
Why do you need the cash so bad? 25 hours is a lot to fit in without any extra commitments. I say aim for the first, learn french and do 12-16hours. You can still go to the gym and socialise. It own't feel too hard on yourself but you will definitely burn out doing 25h + french + degree if you expect to perform well in any of those.
Original post by TrojanH
Why do you need the cash so bad? 25 hours is a lot to fit in without any extra commitments. I say aim for the first, learn french and do 12-16hours. You can still go to the gym and socialise. It own't feel too hard on yourself but you will definitely burn out doing 25h + french + degree if you expect to perform well in any of those.

I literally have no savings rn so I'm just trying to work my ass off to try and have at least a couple of grand for a rainy day but yh I see your point about only doing 12-16hrs
Original post by queenofdarkness
I literally have no savings rn so I'm just trying to work my ass off to try and have at least a couple of grand for a rainy day but yh I see your point about only doing 12-16hrs


How much student loan are you getting and how much rent are you paying?

You don't really need that much to live after rent. £50 a week is ample. Frugal people on here spend like 10-20 a week and live happily ever after. Just cut down on spending instead of working more as it has the same effect financially, but greater rewards for you as you can spend more time focusing on productivity instead of wasting it.
Pointless getting firsts in your first year. Only your second and third years count towards that all important certification.
Original post by Cisco Kid
Pointless getting firsts in your first year. Only your second and third years count towards that all important certification.


Not entirely pointless. A good grade is needed for a lot of internships, not really as high as a first but if he can manage it then I don't see why not.
Original post by TrojanH
How much student loan are you getting and how much rent are you paying?

You don't really need that much to live after rent. £50 a week is ample. Frugal people on here spend like 10-20 a week and live happily ever after. Just cut down on spending instead of working more as it has the same effect financially, but greater rewards for you as you can spend more time focusing on productivity instead of wasting it.

I have enough to live on after rent but the thought of having only 2/3 grand saved up when I graduate really unnerves me. I want around 6/7k saved by the time I graduate hence the reason why I want to work so much but I really don't want that to be detrimental to my studies so I wanted to ask you guys at uni what you thought about it
Original post by TrojanH
Not entirely pointless. A good grade is needed for a lot of internships, not really as high as a first but if he can manage it then I don't see why not.


Internships normally happen after the second year, so just get high grades in the second year.
Original post by queenofdarkness
I have enough to live on after rent but the thought of having only 2/3 grand saved up when I graduate really unnerves me. I want around 6/7k saved by the time I graduate hence the reason why I want to work so much but I really don't want that to be detrimental to my studies so I wanted to ask you guys at uni what you thought about it


You forget you have summer holidays. You also have an overdraft (if you're in a decent industry with good job prospects you're more likely to repay it).

People assume making an extra fiver an hour 10 hours a week and having savings is the best thing to do - but investing that time into yourself so that you can go onto make more money as a graduate provides a far higher return on investment than any bartending part time gig.
Original post by queenofdarkness
I'm starting uni in september. I'm studying economics and hope to achieve a first in my first year. I'm also going to be holding down two part time jobs, learning french and hoping to fit in a social life...do any current uni students think that this is doable? Or is it too much?


Yeah it'll be fine just as long as you have an even distribution of your time spent. I'd say you should prioritise studying and socialising, unless you need the money then you can decide which is more important for yourself. I kinda plan on learning like 2 languages by the time I start and finish uni(4/5 years). I think it'll be good to put on my CV for when I look for graduate jobs.


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Original post by RossB1702
Yeah it'll be fine just as long as you have an even distribution of your time spent. I'd say you should prioritise studying and socialising, unless you need the money then you can decide which is more important for yourself. I kinda plan on learning like 2 languages by the time I start and finish uni(4/5 years). I think it'll be good to put on my CV for when I look for graduate jobs.


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What languages are you planning on learning? :smile:

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