In a perfect world, education would be free, and students wouldn’t have to choose between employment and expanding their knowledge. However, things cost money in this world, and people must work to support themselves. Logic suggests that working part-time influences students' academic performance. In high school or college, students often have to prioritize what matters most to them, so how frequently is education on the losing side?
Teaching Valuable Lessons About the “Real World?”
Many people may advocate for high school students to get a part-time job to earn spending money or to save for college. A recent study from Walden University delved into the pros and cons of working through high school and how employment impacted students. The data shows that having a part-time job can teach high school students valuable lessons, such as the relationship between time and money and the connection between earnings and education. It can also illustrate the value of money in a way that nothing else can. Spending money they earned can help teenagers understand the value of a dollar, and work can teach time management, build confidence, and provide a way to stay out of trouble.
While students can find numerous benefits to working part-time through high school, the research shows those gains may not translate into lasting advancements. Teenagers rarely qualify for more than entry-level jobs that require few skills, and working may not teach marketable skills that could offer real career advancement opportunities. High school students working at least twenty hours a week also showed reduced academic performance, showing that money comes at a substantial cost. A job also severely limits a teenager's already-restricted free time and may lead to negative attitudes about work in the future.
Working Through College Can Hold Students Back
According to a 2021 University of Pennsylvania study, college students commonly maintain a part-time or even full-time job while attending classes. However, the data indicates that working students often fall behind their peers in academic performance, with lower grades than those who don't work.
The study shows that about half of the students enrolled in a two-year college program work twenty or more hours per week, and two-fifths of the students at four-year universities were employed part-time or more. The data also showed that students working through college tend to spend more time in school than their unemployed counterparts.
The Impact of Student Employment
A student working while enrolled in high school or college has numerous positive and negative outcomes. Working part-time can provide unique opportunities to develop personal characteristics and build social skills. Employment often teaches qualities such as responsibility, time management, and organization.
Student workers gain valuable work experience, particularly if they find an internship or other position in their chosen field. This situation can lead to graduating with verifiable experience in the industry, which can help during future interviews. Working teaches skills one might not gain as a typical student, such as problem-solving while remaining calm and helping a problematic customer. Getting paid for one's time can also increase a student's awareness of the value of others' time and help them build lifelong punctuality habits.
The Downsides of Working Through School
As one might expect, it’s easier to devote attention and effort to one thing than two. When a student is actively working while enrolled in school, there’s a substantial chance that, eventually, something will have to give. Students can take on too much, and they may experience increased stress related to work or school, burnout, and decreased academic or work performance.
Students who work part-time while enrolled in school may not have enough time to sleep or the ability to maintain a regular sleep schedule. According to the Centers for Disease Control, good sleep is essential for health and balanced emotional well-being. Numerous studies show that students who don't sleep enough or don't get good sleep may suffer from decreased academic performance. A lack of sleep can lead to symptoms like difficulty concentrating, fatigue, headache, stress, and memory impairment. Sleep deprivation may contribute to various nervous system disorders and mental health conditions.
Online Homework Help Supports Student Success
Maintaining good grades while working part-time can be an exhausting experience. Students may be tired or have difficulty concentrating in class due to a lack of sleep. Whether they missed something crucial while taking notes or didn't make it to class at all, websites like IvoryResearch offer professional assistance for writing papers and completing complex homework assignments.
Conclusion
Working while enrolled in school is a choice for some students, but it is a necessity for many. Unfortunately, that also means student workers will likely face the choice between school and work occasionally. When students fall behind in lessons or have to skip a class, a reliable essay writing service can keep them on track and ensure their assignments are turned in on time.
This article was written in cooperation with Sofia Gibson