On The Job While In College? How To Keep Looking On The Bright Side

College is expensive. That can be stated as fact. So if you have a part-time job while in college, you’ll at least be making some extra money to offset that tuition bill. Still, if you’re working while in college, it can be tough to balance work with school.  Juggling time is the biggest issue, and for that sometimes there’s no great advice other than do your best and be prepared to have to stay up late studying some nights! However, it can be just as difficult to keep yourself motivated, and for that, keep the big picture in mind while you’re and you should pull through.

Most part-time college jobs aren’t all that fun. Whether you’re working in a restaurant, a store, or a gas station, you’re probably working hard and not exactly making millions. But the money that you are making is important; it’s the reason you’re working after all! College isn’t getting cheaper, and remember that every bit helps. In all honesty, hopefully you’re not putting all your earnings toward your tuition. You’ll need some money too for when you go out with friends and want to have a good time. Using all your hard-earned money on tuition would take the biggest chunk out of those bills, but then again you’d have to really be disciplined to pull that off. Plus, spending a little of your earnings will make you feel good; you’ve earned that money after all. Put it to work.

Hopefully when you’re finished with school you can find a job that you find more enjoyable and fulfilling. In the meantime, that job you’re at now is good experience. Not only is it another slot for your resume, it’s also preparing you for life after college, the dreaded real world. Even in the real world , you’ll have bosses, some routine tasks, and workplace culture. Your college job may not be your job of choice, but it will still get you acclimated to a workplace environment, which is important since it’s different than the classroom.

If you’re able, find a job while in school that you can actually enjoy, and one that might help with your academics. For example, if you’re a science major, see if you can get a job in a science lab on campus. Even film studies majors working in movie theaters can learn about their chosen industry in field. If it relates to your college career, that part-time job will be all the better for you from a learning standpoint, and you might well enjoy it more, which never hurts.

At the very least, that part time job could be a fun one if nothing else. If you like kids, you could work in an area daycare or make every night a party by becoming a bartender. You might as well enjoy that part time job, and it also feels good to get paid for doing something you enjoy, even if it’s not enough to cover all those big tuition bills!