The cost of living continues to go up for university students in Kenya. University fees, accommodation, and food expenses are rising with every passing moment. Grants and loans, for instance, CDF and HELB do not stretch far enough to accommodate the ever-bulging student needs.
Not all students want to completely rely on their parents for all their financial needs. In fact, most Kenyan students believe that it is great to become independent as early as possible. Taking a part-time job with university studies can be a daunting endeavor when handling a heavy course load.
This article will disclose to you how to juggle that part-time job while still gunning for First Class Honors.
1. Find A Flexible Job
Choosing the right part-time job where employees enjoy flexible hours is important. A flexible part-time job will give you time off if you have course deadlines or during exams.
2. Have a Study Schedule
Once you have your semester timetable and a clue of when your assignments are due, come up with a schedule of the ideal times to study. Some students are larks preferring to study early morning, others are night owls. Scheduling your studies will help you to determine which days and hours to work. Being organized with your academic calendar is the main key to making sure you reach all deadlines.
3. Speak up When You Are Struggling
Juggling your studies in university with a part-time job is not a walk in the park. Avoid letting things get on top of you by talking to people who matter, for instance, your employer and lecturers as soon as possible when you discover any problem with your workload or timetable.
4. Do not Procrastinate
To balance university studies and a part-time job, consistency must be part of your routine. The longer you procrastinate the more difficult it will be to pick up from where you left. If you finish your course and professional work on a daily basis; you will not only gain momentum but also discover that finishing your work on time is quite rewarding as well.
5. Create a Daily Schedule
Come up with a daily schedule that is practical and flexible. Plan your routine around class and work timings. Make a schedule that you can stick to but able to twist a little if other important things crop up.
6. Handle Stress
While you might try to avoid this stress, it is wise to learn how to relieve it. Take frequent breaks between your academics and work to refresh your mind. Stay active by going for a morning jog, swimming, doing yoga, or going to the gym. The frequent workout is a great stress buster. Enjoy life as much as you can by attending parties, watching movies, eating healthy, and just learning to appreciate your relationships in life.
7. Understand Your Limits
According to Bristol University’s Brian Staines, if a student works for 12 hours or more while in session, it will impact his/her academic performance negatively. Thus, it is important to know your limits and respect them. Stretching beyond your limits without discipline will get you poor grades.
A part-time job may support you financially in the short term but could have a negative effect on your long-term job prospects if you score bad grades in university. As a result, it is important to balance your academic and part-time work to avoid jeopardizing your future job ambitions. Many people have gone through a similar situation and emerged from the other end successfully, and so can you.
This article was written by Capital Campus Correspondent Eric Were.
