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Part time job whilst at uni but still want a first

Hi,

I'm about to start a biomed a degree and really want to get a first throughout my 3 years.

however i wont have money and obviously i need money, so i always had the thought of getting a part time job somewhere easy. Working a maximum of 14 hours? or maybe less?

i also need to see my girlfriend every 3 weeks for a weekend so idk if i can work weekends too?

basically any advice on whether to get a part time job when trying to get a first?

is it doable? is it advisable?

Reply 1

Rt6f

14 hours is too much. The adviasable amount is max 10hrs.
You have to be really organised and personally, I don't think you will have a lot of time to relax and enjoy your first year like you should because you will be running around trying todo x, y and z at one time.

Reply 2

gutenberg

Original post by Cherub123

I'd also say 14 hours is a bit too much, on top of a STEM degree. If you can, drop it back to 10 or so like the previous poster suggested.

I think the issue could be your not wanting to work some weekends. The kinds of jobs that students get, and that are 'easy' as regards mental effort (bar work, retail etc.) would likely demand weekend hours, plus depending on what your timetable is like, working weekday evenings may not be feasible. Is your girlfriend also a student? Perhaps you could work out a schedule to visit each other on weekdays, such as during each other's reading weeks. Or, she may have to come to you, and you can hang out after you've finished work.

It is possible to work part-time and get a first: I did it. I only ever really worked on the weekends, so it meant that my Monday-Friday had to be very organised, to try and get as much done as possible in those days. It means planning out your assignments and reading around your classes, and trying to be as disciplined as possible. However I don't think working alongside studying means you'll have no life. Of course this will depend on the kind of job you get, but I still socialised and went out with friends, but a lot of my socialising tended to be stuff like meeting up for lunches and coffee, and then the occasional drinks some weekday evening, rather than big blowout sessions on the weekend when I knew I had to be in work the next day. Of course, some people still did the latter and coped fine. You'll just have to figure out a routine that works for you.

Reply 3

Technetium

It depends on you really and how you manage your time. I studied chemistry and had a part-time job (I had two at one point). I worked anywhere between 10-30 hours per week. I did attend all of my lectures, hand in assignments on time etc and I achieved a first. I did suffer from major exhaustion throughout the term but I like to be constantly busy, so I enjoyed it.

Reply 4

username1221160

Many students who get firsts tend to do so by being organised and efficient in their use of time, rather than studying every hour they can. I think 14 hours of work is perfectly reasonable if you are good at time management.

You have around 4 months off over summer. Some students do work full time and put cash away for the forthcoming year.

Reply 5

username3162850

Original post by Cherub123

Hey,

As some other posters have said, the students who achieve the highest grades at Uni are usually the ones who manage their time effectively. Organization is key!

However... I do think 14 hours may be a bit too much. Maybe try dropping your hours to around 8-10 a week. As well as working you will also need some time to relax - remember to incorporate this into your diary, it's important!

Hope this helps.

Reply 6

auburnstar

Original post by free100

Hey Cherub123,

I have a job for you that would require a minimal amount of work. I am working on an advertising campaign, utilising Facebook Advertising accounts. For every one of your friends that you can refer to me, and they then decide to come on board I will give you £50, they will get £100 per month for so long as I use their account.

Basically, I am looking to use real Facebook accounts to advertise products that I am affiliated with. We need real Facebook accounts that are used regularly. Why don't I just make a bunch of fake accounts you say, well Facebook is pretty clued up on the affiliate marketing sector and their algorithms are pretty smart at detecting them, hence why I need to "rent" real accounts to advertise from.

If you or anyone else reading this have any interest please get in touch.

Thanks

100 pound a month is measly. 10 hours minimum wage (7/hr) a *week* is 70 pounds.

Reply 7

Ze Witcher

Original post by auburnstar

100 pound a month is measly. 10 hours minimum wage (7/hr) a *week* is 70 pounds.

100/month for doing nothing is pretty good in my books.

Reply 8

auburnstar

Original post by free100

£100 for doing nothing other than letting me use your Facebook Advertising account. Zero effort on your part, forget 10 hours, 10 minutes speaking to me and asking questions then its £100 per month from then on with no work. Interested auburnstar?

It sounds too good to be true - which leads me to think it's a scam and/or there is some hidden element. If it's legit it's fine as supplemental income.

Reply 9

SophieSmall

I did a biomed degree and many of my course mate friends worked part time, including one of my friends who achieves a first (the rest of us got 2:1s).

You need to be realistic though, while there are some weekday only jobs. Many will require you work weekends and flexibly. So your girlfriend may have to come and visit you rather than the other way around and be okay with waiting for you to clock off work.