Going to school and working can be a daunting task for a majority of students.
At Salt Lake Community College, 70 percent of enrolled students have a part-time or full-time job, but the differences between a 20-hour or 40-hour work week could mean all the difference when dealing with hectic schedules.
The question to ask yourself is, “Should I get a job while I’m attending college?” and the answer completely depends on who you are. From talking to students, you can determine that they tend to have jobs based on whether they need it or want it.
About 48 percent of students receive financial aid, which means that they have a portion, if not all, of their tuition paid. For those students who cannot get tuition assistance, they will most likely have some sort of working arrangement to keep up with the financial burden that college can create.
It also makes it difficult to have a full-time job for students that receive financial aid such as FAFSA, because to receive aid, you must fulfill certain credit requirements.
Students often carry 12 minimum credit hours in their week, which means that they are taking multiple classes. A part-time job will usually offer 20 hours a week.
If you haven’t started to see the pattern for something that is missing yet, here it goes.
If students are taking 12 credit hours and working 20 hours, they spend a combined 32 hours a week in these two areas. The problem that lies in the midst is if the classes you are taking require one or two additional hours for studying outside of class, doing homework or working on a project. Those 12 credit hours can turn into about 24 to 36 hours of school, with 20 hours of work.
With school being demanding with projects, a work schedule and balancing a healthy lifestyle, it may be difficult to multitask. SLCC offers several resources to stay on top of your mental and physical wellness including fitness centers, counseling, and tutor centers.
