Does Working Part-Time Affect Your Grades?

Once the excitement of Freshers' Week dies down, the realization hits.

You are a student and therefore you have no money. Apart from winning the lottery or hitting the jackpot with a long-lost rich aunt, it seems that your only option is to join the working world.

But how are you going to fit in all those 'hours' of studying and work a part-time job?

Rachel Greene, 21, says "using a job as an excuse for an essay is weak. Ultimately, if you are going to do the essay then you will do it whether you have a job or not".

Working part-time during term-time, Rachel manages to balance her work and shifts.

This means that she also always has that spare bit of cash for the big nights out.

Admittedly, some part-time jobs are easier for students, such as bar work, especially in student bars.

As long as you manage your time wisely and plan ahead, there are no reasons why you should not get top grades whilst having a part-time job.

Sophie Kay

The managers of these bars are normally aware of the fact that students are at university to get a degree.

Websites such as e4s.co.uk and JustJobs4Students.co.uk specialise in listing student jobs, for both during term-times and the holidays.

By finding a job this way, your employers will know from the start that you are a student and therefore need some time to study.

Dave Mash, 20, says, "if you are going to fail a module while working a part-time job, chances are you would have failed that module anyway. It's all about the attitude and time management".

He also told Beanzine (BZ) that "working at university provides yet another group of people to socialise and have fun with".

Dominic Head, head of English Studies at the University of Nottingham, told BZ "your peers only very rarely own up to having those jobs that really interfere with their studies".

There are instances, of course, where students forget to ask for time off or simply feel that they can cope with extra shifts and their grades suffer.

However, as long as you manage your time wisely and plan ahead, there are no reasons why you should not get top grades whilst having a part-time job.