There is a reason that the education in the UK has gained so much respect and recognition. The demanding and strict study structure polishes the students in their respective fields, due to which they can take their dreams into their hands. But every dream has a price, and studying in the UK means you have to keep up with the continuously increasing costs of living in the UK.
For students who have to consider the accommodation, tuition fees, and other daily expenses, working part-time becomes a necessary evil. Let’s take a look at Sofie and see how part-time work can affect students’ lives.
The Beginning of the Journey
Sofie came to London from Mexico to study literature. She tried to find accommodation near her university, but London is a big city with students filling university halls and landlords having costly expectations. So, after a lot of searching, she finally found a room for herself in an apartment for £600.
Sofie was quite delighted when she first saw the vibrant life of her university. That was the moment when she decided what she wanted. She wanted to spend her whole life here in London, having so many opportunities at hand.
Sofie was smart. She knew that since she was a student of art, she would find it hard to switch to a Skilled Worker Visa from her Graduate Route Visa after graduation. So, she applied for freelancing to gain experience and sharpen her skills. This part-time work helped her practice her field as well as earn money to afford a life in the UK.
Ways to Move Forward
A few weeks later, when she had started going out with friends and peers, she estimated how much her daily expenses were, including the bills, transport, and a necessary dose of regular coffee. This made her realize that London is even more expensive for international students.
But Sofie didn’t want to give up. She checked her options and looked for other jobs that are accessible for students, which included:
- Retail assistants.
- Baristas and waiters.
- Call centre operators.
- Campus ambassadors.
- Library or administrative assistants.
All these common part-time jobs were taken, and as an international student, she was allowed to work only 20 hours per week according to her visa compliance.
The best choice that she thought was tutoring. Since she was studying literature, there were a lot of international students who needed a helping hand in English to understand the complex concepts, and not always run to Assignment Help UK and Dissertation Help UK. This was the perfect way to practice her field more, create contacts, and earn a nice amount for her daily expenses.
When the Real Challenge Begins
The first few weeks went by in the thrill of new jobs and interactive discussions during seminars. But gradually, the coursework moved forward, and it started to become challenging to manage studies with two part-time jobs.
Sofie started to skip her sleep and even her coffee breaks that she used to take with her newly found friends after seminars. So, attending the late-night college parties was out of the question. She knew she could not afford to live the carefree laughter that she heard every night in her neighbourhood whenever she was panicking over deadlines from clients and teachers.
The constant exhaustion and stress overwhelmed her, making it hard to focus on her studies, for which she was doing all the hard work. While she was tutoring other students in English, so that they wouldn’t require any help, she herself was now asking online, “Do my assignment for me.”
By compromising her sleep, social circle, and a once-in-a-lifetime student experience, she was burned out by the time her exams arrived.
A Real Face of Student Life
Since Sofie was determined to pursue her dream, after an initial slip, she got up again. She sought help from student counselling services. She was told that she was not alone in feeling like this and how she could manage her studies along with her job.
Feeling confident in herself once again, she planned her study schedule by the use of online exam help. Likewise, she even planned out scheduling her tutoring sessions according to her convenience by communicating with her students. The clients on freelancing were the issue who were not showing any flexibility. So, she stopped taking orders until exams were over.
She knew she couldn’t let herself burn out again since it never helps. She planned out her schedule according to work, study, and relaxation with friends. She continued her social life because the feeling of isolation was interfering with her studies, and it was also important to gain the skill of being interactive and intellectually engaging among people of different races.
Nonfiction Facts About Student Work Life
The story of Sofie is a collection of many real-life stories. According to the National Student Money Survey (NSMS), about 74% of students work part-time to afford their fees, living costs, and daily expenses, especially in cities like London, Edinburgh, and Manchester, where student loans and parental support are not enough.
The most effective solution to balance study with work, according to the National Union of Students (NUS), is to plan a schedule. According to a study in 2019 by the Higher Education Policy Institute (HEPI), students who set a schedule and prioritize their academic tasks experience low stress levels and better academic performance, even after working for ten to fifteen years.
The Ending of the Journey
Part-time jobs in students’ lives are a big challenge, yes. But it isn’t a waste of time. It helps students to connect with the local culture of the UK, navigate professionally in the world, and learn how to value and manage the most valuable asset we have, time.
Part-time work is not just about money; it also provides a unique curve in the personality of students. So, it’s not about choosing between work and studies; it’s about managing both at the same time, because you need both.
