Balancing College and Work

By Dr. Lisa M. Wiśniewski 

It is not uncommon for college students to need to work while enrolled in college. In fact, working full or part time hours while being enrolled in college is the norm. There is a significant portion of students who are taking college classes and working simultaneously. This is due to several factors. The first is there are many economic demands on students including basic needs (i.e., housing, food), the costs of college (i.e., tuition, books, travel to school), and family obligations (i.e., taking care of children, supporting a household). The second is due to students returning to school later in their life. For many this means that they have already started their own families or have increased financial responsibilities of maintaining a household. Lastly, economic factors influencing society also play a role. This includes factors such as inflation, changes in job markets, and increased housing costs. As a result, this shapes the student’s experience. Instead of solely focusing on college courses, students must split their time focused on their studies and employment. 

While this may be difficult to manage multiple demands on time, it is still possible to enroll in and graduate from college. It will just take some planning to achieve this goal. There are also several resources that can support working students throughout their college journey. Here are some of the key strategies to navigate the worlds of work and school: 

1. Research types of schools:take some time to research different types of schools and what they offer. There are some colleges and universities that work closely with working students and have extra support services. These resources can make a big difference throughout the college journey. It is important to identify if and what resources are available to you. Making the choice of which college or university to go to is the first step in your success. 

2. Check your employer’s benefits:employers may have benefits that you are eligible for that can be supportive of your college journey. This can include tuition assistance, time off opportunities, or scholarships. They may also have partnerships with schools that can offer discounts on tuition. 

3. Course schedule: pick a course schedule that works best for your work schedule. This can include taking classes during certain days or times. It may also mean taking online classes. See what options are available to you and make the decisions that best aligns with your needs. It would be important to speak to an academic advisor at this stage. Share with them your needs so that they can provide the best guidance on course schedules. 

4. Change your work schedule: some semesters may be necessary to change your work schedule due to when required courses are offered. Plan for when this will be the case. Pick the semester that works best for you to make these changes. Also examine if this will change the amount that you are paid. These temporary changes may be important to complete your degree but there are ways to navigate these choices so that they do not cause too much interruption in your life.  

These steps can be helpful to balancing college and work life. It may also take some a few semesters to get in the flow of balancing work and college. However, it is possible to achieve your goal of completing your degree.