Will a job while doing A levels be difficult?
Hi. I’m not working as of yet but I was just wondering how difficult it would be to manage a part time job (20 hours per week) in second year of college? Honestly, I do need the get a job soon but I also don’t want it to impact my studies. I just need some advice from anyone who’s working and also In college. Thanks 
Reply 1
Hey, I just finished y12 and I’ve had a job for a few months now. I do about 8-12 hours a week which I end up doing on the weekend and it’s been okay so far but I definitely don’t want to do any more than that next year. I think because my hours are relatively low I can manage but I do find when I came home I was tired and sometimes didn’t do my homework or studying until before it was due (which partially is my fault anyways because I shouldn’t have been lazy and done my homework earlier). So I know next year I really need to utilise my after school time and study periods in school to stay on top of everything if I’m going to keep my job.
Do you know how those hours would be split? I’m assuming weekends and possibly a weekday too. A few people in my year do more hours than me and end up working after school but I can tell they’re not very happy and falling behind. Personally, I couldn’t manage my time well for studies if I had to do that many hours. You could take this job for now and give it a go for a few months, see how it is, what’s expected of you and maybe towards the November time consider whether you can keep this going into next year when the pressure really starts to set in. Maybe you could reduce your hours but still have a job? At least by November ish you’d have made some money, so it wouldn’t be the end of the world if you left the job after that. Then you still have time to study up until exam season without the added stress of a job.
Or you could look for a different job with lower hours and not take this current one, which might be better.
Also, consider how this will affect your future career. Sure, you’re making money in the short term but if your grades are slipping and you intend to go to university and get a ‘better’ career, what is it costing you? You might be missing out on a better salary for some short term finance. (I have to mention obviously that getting a good job after university isn’t a given - and some people who haven’t chosen university are better off than people with degrees).
Overall, I think it’s down to how you manage yourself. If you get stressed easily it’s a bad idea. If you’re good at balancing a lot of things then maybe give it a shot. I think you’re better off finding something with lower hours or perhaps trying to negotiate and see if they can offer you lower hours? I couldn't cope with 20 hours of work, 30 hours of school PLUS after school activities or studying. And don’t forget you need time for yourself too!
Do you know how those hours would be split? I’m assuming weekends and possibly a weekday too. A few people in my year do more hours than me and end up working after school but I can tell they’re not very happy and falling behind. Personally, I couldn’t manage my time well for studies if I had to do that many hours. You could take this job for now and give it a go for a few months, see how it is, what’s expected of you and maybe towards the November time consider whether you can keep this going into next year when the pressure really starts to set in. Maybe you could reduce your hours but still have a job? At least by November ish you’d have made some money, so it wouldn’t be the end of the world if you left the job after that. Then you still have time to study up until exam season without the added stress of a job.
Or you could look for a different job with lower hours and not take this current one, which might be better.
Also, consider how this will affect your future career. Sure, you’re making money in the short term but if your grades are slipping and you intend to go to university and get a ‘better’ career, what is it costing you? You might be missing out on a better salary for some short term finance. (I have to mention obviously that getting a good job after university isn’t a given - and some people who haven’t chosen university are better off than people with degrees).
Overall, I think it’s down to how you manage yourself. If you get stressed easily it’s a bad idea. If you’re good at balancing a lot of things then maybe give it a shot. I think you’re better off finding something with lower hours or perhaps trying to negotiate and see if they can offer you lower hours? I couldn't cope with 20 hours of work, 30 hours of school PLUS after school activities or studying. And don’t forget you need time for yourself too!
Reply 2
Fish1735
OP
9
That’s super helpful thanks so much! Lots of things to consider but ultimately I do need the money at the moment so getting the job is important. But also I’m uncertain if I’m going to be able to handle it especially in year 13. I will definitely try and work until November and if it’s too much pressure then I will just leave the job. I also usually get my homework done during my freed so I’m not sure how much that would help in my case.
Just wondering if you’re considering to continue your job into year 13?
Just wondering if you’re considering to continue your job into year 13?
Reply 3
Original post
by Fish1735That’s super helpful thanks so much! Lots of things to consider but ultimately I do need the money at the moment so getting the job is important. But also I’m uncertain if I’m going to be able to handle it especially in year 13. I will definitely try and work until November and if it’s too much pressure then I will just leave the job. I also usually get my homework done during my freed so I’m not sure how much that would help in my case.
Just wondering if you’re considering to continue your job into year 13?
Just wondering if you’re considering to continue your job into year 13?
No worries, glad I could help! For now I think I’ll keep my job, I don’t think they’ll be increasing my hours because I’m not the only new hire for my position so it’s not like they’re lacking staff. It all depends on how next year goes, if I find myself stressed I’ll probably have to leave until the summer time after exams
Reply 4
Fish1735
OP
9
Original post
by ILOVEHEINZNo worries, glad I could help! For now I think I’ll keep my job, I don’t think they’ll be increasing my hours because I’m not the only new hire for my position so it’s not like they’re lacking staff. It all depends on how next year goes, if I find myself stressed I’ll probably have to leave until the summer time after exams
Alright, sounds good. I’ll keep updating on the interview/job situation. But another issue is that I will have to take like 2 buses to actually get to the workplace. The whole commute will take around 40 minutes so I’m not sure if that’s going to be a problem.
Reply 5
Original post
by Fish1735Alright, sounds good. I’ll keep updating on the interview/job situation. But another issue is that I will have to take like 2 buses to actually get to the workplace. The whole commute will take around 40 minutes so I’m not sure if that’s going to be a problem.
Then you also need to keep in mind your wages and how much travel expenses will be. If you get minimum wage you might be paying a decent chunk monthly just to commute there and back.
Reply 6
Original post
by ILOVEHEINZThen you also need to keep in mind your wages and how much travel expenses will be. If you get minimum wage you might be paying a decent chunk monthly just to commute there and back.
Also I don’t actually know too much about buses because I take the train but considering you’ll need 2 and the journey back it sounds costly. If I don’t get dropped off to work I would paying about £27 monthly out of £300 ish
Reply 7
Fish1735
OP
9
Original post
by ILOVEHEINZAlso I don’t actually know too much about buses because I take the train but considering you’ll need 2 and the journey back it sounds costly. If I don’t get dropped off to work I would paying about £27 monthly out of £300 ish
In terms of travel for now it would be free until in 18 because I have a bus pass
Reply 8
Original post
by Fish1735In terms of travel for now it would be free until in 18 because I have a bus pass
Oh lucky you then! A 40 min commute doesn’t seem unbearable
Original post
by Fish1735Hi. I’m not working as of yet but I was just wondering how difficult it would be to manage a part time job (20 hours per week) in second year of college? Honestly, I do need the get a job soon but I also don’t want it to impact my studies. I just need some advice from anyone who’s working and also In college. Thanks
Quite a lot of students have a part time job. And most of those cope fine with that.
I would perhaps not do 20 hours a week. I would maybe do a few less. But if you keep on top of things, then a part time job should be fine.
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