8 Ways to Stay Sane While Working Part-Time in College

By Brittany Hawes on November 15, 2017

You need money to pay your part of the rent. You want to start paying off your student loans. You double-checked, no triple-checked, and found out that the very expensive list of textbooks in your lit class syllabus is required to pass.

You are tired of riding the city bus and you feel like you’re ready to upgrade — it’s time to buy yourself a car. You just want to have a little extra cash in your pockets so you’ll be able to afford gas or school clothes for next semester or you’re saving up for the latest gaming console that was just released.

Whatever the reason, you’ve found yourself working at a part-time job somewhere in town. Maybe you’ve found out quickly that even though it’s called a part-time job and you’re only working 20 or so hours every week, part-time jobs can be demanding, especially when you’re also taking classes. Don’t worry; you’re not alone. Many college students find themselves stressed because of the extra time they have to devote towards working a part-time job.

But there are ways to handle working part-time in college while also maintaining your sanity (even if you have to deal with customers, I promise).

Read on for eight techniques that will help you to stay sane while working part-time in college.

Image via Pixabay.com

1. Remind yourself of your goals

Every time you begin to feel stressed out or if a customer is being rude or if you feel like the job is just not worth it, remind yourself of why you’re there. There’s a reason you decided to apply for this job. Focus on that reason and keep working towards those goals until you reach them.

You won’t be in that same position for the rest of your life. It’s only temporary until you move on to the next part of your life.

2. Don’t take it personally

It’s easy to let your emotions get caught up in workplace drama or let your feelings get hurt if a customer or coworker is rude to you. It’s easier said than done but try not to let yourself fret over trivial things like the above examples.

Remember, you’re at this job because of your goal, not to become best friends with everyone there. Enjoy the good days and brush off the bad days!

3. Find a balance between work, school, and play

Finding a balance between work, school, and free time is essential if you’re going to keep your stress at a minimum level while working part-time. Between work and school, it may seem next to impossible finding free time for yourself to do the things that you enjoy.

Make a point to find that free time. If you have a couple of hours between work and school, pick up the novel you’ve been meaning to start and read it. Find time to meet up with friends for lunch at your favorite restaurant or go to see that movie you’ve all been excited to see.

4. Make the most of your off days

When you have a day off from work, plan to do something that you enjoy so that you’re really looking forward to that day off. Write down what you plan on doing in your calendar if necessary, so you’ll have a reminder. Don’t forget to enjoy every second of it!

5. Set up a homework schedule

What helps me in not getting overwhelmed by work duties and homework is to set up a schedule. I write down my homework due dates for the week in my planner or on a piece of paper and stick it on my wall so I’ll be sure to see it every day. Then I’ll go into my planner and find times when I have to work on homework and write down those times for a reminder.

By doing this, I have a visual reminder to do my homework. We all know how easy it can be to let an assignment due date slip by because of a hectic schedule and forgetfulness. If you have your homework written down in a place where you’ll be able to see it, it makes it a breeze to know when you need to start working on an assignment.

6. Find friends at your workplace

Work can become an even more fun place to go to if you have friends that work there too. You never know who in your workplace might share your same interests and hobbies so don’t be afraid to smile and make conversation with your coworkers!                                                                                    

7. Work with your supervisor to find time to visit family when possible

Visiting family can be tough to do when you have a part-time job. If you work weekends and have school during the week, it can seem like there would be no way to go home and see your family. Don’t give up! Sit down with your supervisor and ask for a few days off if they can spare you and you can spare the money.

Let them know that you’re a student and you’re trying to find a time that will work for both your supervisor and yourself for you to go and see your family. Most supervisors will be understanding of the fact that you’re a student and will work with you to find something that will fit both of your schedules.

8. Find a part-time job that makes you happy

I think one of the most important things you can do to stay sane while working part-time in college is to find a part-time job that you enjoy. Look for a job that appeals to you. If you like fashion and helping other people, working part-time as a sales associate in a clothing store could be ideal. A job at a movie theater would be good for someone who enjoys movies. Animal-lovers might be interested in working at a pet supply store or as a receptionist at a vet’s office.

Try to match your job to your interests so you’ll look forward to going into work.

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