Work Study Balance
How to balance a job and study at university?
Many students work while they study for many reasons including self-support, household support, and self & parents support. Consequently, these students hold more responsibility as compared to other students who do not work. However, the question on hand is what type of balance is needed to perform well in both places, the university, and the work location.
The answer to the aforementioned question is directly related if the job is necessary? If the work hours are long? And if there are other alternatives, for example, part-time jobs? University on-campus jobs?
The responses to the above questions impact the student’s performance in class. A situation that raises other types of questions like: are the grades satisfactory? Is there enough support in class to make up the missed hours? What are the University rules with respect absenteeism? Are the instructors available to offer help outside the classroom? Are there online tools that help students to catch up with the missing lectures?
So, let me offer the following answers:
1- Is the full-time job a necessity?
If the answer is “YES” to the question, which is at least 40 hours/week, then you have to plan better for the semester. The following steps have to be followed:
- Meet with your advisor to plan for your registration taking into consideration the schedules of the courses versus the work schedule.
- Only register for enough courses to avoid compromising the job/study balance. Do not register for the full load if you think you will be dropping courses through the semester which means you are wasting your efforts and money.
- If you agree with your advisor to register for less than 12 credits (with proof from your job), obtain the adequate permission from the Student Affair Office.
- During the semester, make sure to abide by the university rules and regulations and the instructor’s class requirements.
If the answer is “NO” to the question, that is the job needs between 20 to 40 hours/week; then you have to plan for the semester. The following steps have to be followed:
Repeat steps A & B from the previous situation (should be a routine to perform those two steps always)
- Meet with your advisor to plan for your registration taking into consideration the schedules of the courses versus the work schedule.
- Only register for enough courses to avoid compromising the job/study balance. Do not register for the full load if you think you will be dropping courses through the semester which means you are wasting your efforts and money.
- Choose the Block Schedule for your courses, that is, choose either MW or TTh. You can register for at least 12 credits easily.
- During the semester, make sure to abide by the university rules and regulations and the instructor’s class requirements
2- Is there an opportunity for part-time jobs?
There are many opportunities for part-time jobs, however, not necessarily in your own major. The work schedule is usually 20 – 25 hours or less.
- Meet with your advisor to plan for your registration taking into consideration the schedules of the courses versus the work schedule.
- Only register for enough courses to avoid compromising the job/study balance. Register for a full load (12 credit hours) so that you fulfill your program of study.
- Choose the Block Schedule for your courses, that is, choose either MW or TTh. You can register for at least 12 credits easily.
- During the semester, make sure to abide by the university rules and regulations and the instructor’s class requirements.
3-Is there an opportunity for University on-campus jobs?
The answer here is yes. Consult with the Student Affairs Office for full details.
4-What are the University rules with respect absenteeism?
Al Maaref University maximum allowance for legal absenteeism is one-third of the total hours in class that is translated into ten absences, but when the number rises to 11 absences, the University Management System will withdraw you automatically.
5- Is there enough support in class to make up the missed hours?
All classes at Al Maaref University abide by the University grading system which allows for many opportunities to do assignments, quizzes, projects, exams, etc… However, always refer to your instructor for guidance in this respect.
6- Are the instructors available to offer help outside the classroom?
All instructors are available to their students outside the classroom. However, you have to ask for the office hours for each instructor.Are there online tools that help students to catch up with the missing lectures?
7-Are there online tools that help students to catch up with the missing lectures?
Yes, all courses are supported by Online or electronic book tools which allow students to perform better in class and these tools support the students’ education since these tools may be accessed from any place.
8- What general recommendations exist to keep the Job/Study balance?
- Check Monthly budget: Have a close look at all your incomings and outgoings, and establish exactly how much you’re short by each month, if at all.
- Balance the number of hours needed to study and doing assignments and projects versus the number of hours of work needed.
- Discuss your work and your study hours choices with both your boss and your advisor as soon as you can.
- Make sure you know all the important dates are coming up in your courses (and social!) calendar, such as assignment deadlines and exam dates so that you can easily see your busy periods and plan accordingly.
- Use your time productively.
- Do not miss classes haphazardly.
- Use your summer time wisely. Work and save money.
- Use your summer time wisely. You may register for the summer semester to compensate for lost time if you have dropped courses earlier (you may register for at least six credits with fewer registration fees! At Al Maaref).
- Use your summer time wisely. Get some career experience by taking on Professional Placement (Training), but it’s worth knowing that it may not be paid.
- With all the work and deadlines that you are fulfilling, it can be easy to forget to take a bit of down time to have fun and relaxation.
- Keeping (more than two activities, for example) in progress at one time (working & Studying) is not an easy endeavor, and your employers and instructors should try to respect that. Try to avoid reaching the “Stress Stage” by remembering to talk to the people who matter as soon as possible – the minute you notice any problems with your timetable, or if you’re struggling with the workload, tell someone. Advice could provide positive support (advice could provide positive support (for example the Directorate of Student Affairs at Al Maaref).
Reading:
Katie Paterson (2016) in Jobs & Careers, shares a nice set of recommendations which may help students to answer the question, “How to balance a job and study at university?”
(Read more: http://www.savethestudent.org/student-jobs/balancing-a-job-and-study-at-university.html)