How To Handle a Part Time Job Throughout Year 12 [Blog Comp]

I can distinctly remember a time during my Year 10 days where almost everyone in my class had some kind of part time job. Fast forward to Year 12, and I can say that there are only 2 people in my class have retained their part time work. So what’s the secret to juggling school and work? It starts with a good job and a better mindset:

 

1. Enjoy

Find a job that is enjoyable to you and suits your personality and interests. If it isn’t enjoyable, try to make it so that it is! This will lead your mind to associate work with “play”, rather than something you don’t want to do. When you’re having this much fun, you won’t be able to find a single reason to quit and will find yourself working all throughout Year 12.

 

2. Convenient Location

Finding a job in your local area will be of great benefit to you time wise. You’ll be able to save time travelling to and from your part-time job which means there will be more time for studies!

 

3. Money $$

With all those 18th’s, formals and valedictory events coming up, you are definitely going to need some cash to burn. Don’t use your parent’s! Use these events as motivation to work hard for your own money!

 

4. It’s a Privilege

If you are someone from a poor financial background and feel as though as it is a necessity to work, it will be easier to view your job as a privilege. Being thankful that you are in a position to earn money will keep you humble. Even if you do come from a wealthier background, you can still view your job in a similar way. Be grateful that you have the luxury to work by choice, and better understand what someone else is prepared to do to make ends meet. This kind of thinking will grow you as a person.

 

5. School versus Society

See the benefits of a part time job and you will be more willing to work. Realise that school is a kind of artificial reality (but a good one at that), and that it is quite sheltered from the real world. Your part time job will enable you to interact with people of society, and get a feel for how the world really operates. You’ll notice that over time, you will be able to better understand customer’s wishes, develop communication skills and deal with high pressure situations in a calmer fashion. Keeping in touch with society will set you apart from your peers who don’t work.

 

6. Networking

Your workplace will have people of different ages and different schools (or even universities). Find out what they are currently studying, and what they aspire to be. These could be similar to your own. Use this as an opportunity to make some connections, as you never know when you may need them in the future! The older kids at your workplace will also be able to give you some advice and knowledge that you may not have been able to gain at school.

 

7. It’s Okay to Say No

If you are losing the balance between school and work, do not quit so hastily but rather negotiate with your manager for lesser hours. They will understand that you prioritise school over your part time job and will most likely agree to it. Besides, it’s still a win-win situation for both parties. You’ll still keep the cash flow and the experiences coming in, and your manager won’t have to look for someone to replace you!

 

Having a positive mindset towards your part time job is key to balancing work and schoolwork. Understanding that your work will grow you as a person, connect you with people and benefit you in the long term will help you to work hard and to stay humble.