CAREERS & EDUCATION HIGHER LEARNING
Managing full-time school and part-time work Important considerations to keep in mind
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here are a number of good reasons to combine school and work. Many students work while they go to school often because they cannot afford to do otherwise. But there are many other benefits that go beyond just finances, such as gaining work experience in your field. An employer may be more inclined to hire you if you are studying a subject related to the work you want to do.
your school needs. This may be for you, you may want to seek something you will want to discuss support with this at your school. Most post-secondary institutions with your employer initially. have counsellors, advisors, or peer Being aware of and using your mentors that can help with this. personal best time for studying may They may also offer workshops on ultimately save you time. After all, it strategies for managing your time. is not about the quantity of time you Whether this is an obligation set aside that’s important, it’s the quality of attention. When you are or you just want to get a job, work most alert and able to concentrate, shouldn’t be a constant source your toughest subjects should be of stress. There is enough of that in being a student. Work should tackled. help you with your finances, gain Fitting in some daily exercise needed work experience, or help may also give you extra stamina and with contacts. If it is none of these, sharpen your focus; although you it may be time to reconsider or visit Once you have decided that don’t want to overdo it so that it the career centre at your school and you can or must work while also takes too long and tires you out. If look for a better job. The goal is to attending school, juggling both will managing your time and achieving reap some benefit of working while require some effort and planning. the right balance is a struggle being a student. Managing your time will be critical, Geneviève Beaupré and Susan Qadeer have but other factors may also prove to extensive experience working in university and be equally important. college settings, providing career, academic and personal counselling to international and For instance, by making time immigrant students. to attend all classes, you can participate in quizzes, get detailed instructions, closely follow what the professor highlights, ask questions and get clarification. The professor’s emphasis will help you determine what to study. Attending classes may seem like something you can skip, but rarely is this the case.
For instance, if you are studying gerontology, you may be able to find work with a service for seniors. You get to see if you like the work Identifying some time wasters and make contacts for employment may help you find extra study when you graduate. time. If you have a long commute, Another eye-opener could be you could organize your notes on that it may confirm your interest in cards so they can fit in your pocket your chosen subject of study. If you or convert them to become audio find that you dislike the work, then files. Using your commuting time a counsellor or academic advisor wisely could also mean a nap if you at your school may support you in are short on sleep. You can also use exploring other career options and other times such as when waiting in help you determine how to qualify line. If you can find work on campus for them through academics or or near your home, you will be able to cut down on commuting time. other means.
How to manage school and work
If you have the option, you may want to postpone working in your first semester until you see how much time you need for your studies. The first semester may also alert you to any academic deficiencies you need to concentrate on, which may require the additional time.
When choosing work, an important consideration could be some flexibility in your shifts. There will be times when school demands increase because of exams, group work or looming assignment deadlines. You may need to either take some time off from work or exchange job shifts to accommodate CANADIANIMMIGRANT.CA |
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