Balancing Work and Studies: A College Student’s Journey
Kaylee Plahn is preparing for her senior year at Minnesota State University, majoring in Exercise Science. However, over the past year and into her final year, she has been juggling two jobs to support herself financially.
“I would say about 20 hours a week at one job, I try to hit throughout the school year,” Plahn explained. “But it varies because I’m also involved in a sorority, which takes up a lot of time. I have to balance everything out.”
This balancing act is something that many college students face. Biology Professor Keenan Hartert has studied this issue closely, as he experienced it himself during his own time in college. He recalls, “I had two campus jobs one trimester. I ended up working more than 10 hours a week, and I got a form from the Dean of Students saying, ‘Hey, you’re crossing 10 hours, you’re in the risk zone now.’”
Inspired by his own experiences, Hartert conducted research to determine how much work could be too much for students. His findings revealed that students who worked between 0 and 19 hours per week had a median grade of 80 in the final part of his class. In contrast, those working 20 hours or more had a median grade closer to 74.
Hartert’s research highlights the potential impact of working long hours on academic performance. For students like Kaylee Plahn, this means sacrificing free time to maintain good grades and earn money. She shared, “I kind of feel bad for not having as much availability as some people, but I know it’s what’s best for me. I have to balance it out either way.”
Plahn feels fortunate because her parents can provide financial support if needed. This safety net is not available to everyone. Hartert asked his students, “If things go bad, do you have a financial support system to fall back on?” He found that about 22% of students do not have such a system.
Based on his research, Hartert suggests that around 15 hours per week is a good balance for working college students. However, each student’s situation is unique, and finding the right balance often depends on personal circumstances and priorities.
For Plahn, the key to managing her workload is taking things one step at a time. She said, “If you look at the whole semester or even the whole week of what you have to do, it can get overwhelming. I’ve learned in college that it’s best to take it day by day.”
Balancing work and studies is a challenge that many students face, but with careful planning and support, it is possible to succeed. Whether through family assistance, part-time jobs, or personal discipline, students like Plahn continue to navigate their paths with determination and resilience.
