Working or studying? Or both?
Original article in Greek by Anastasia Christaki and Andreas Fragkos
Translation by Elisavet Kechagia
Working and studying at the same time is quite a challenge and is experienced differently by each person. There are both positive and negative aspects to the combination of the two that require subjective evaluation and review, since there is no such thing as 34/7: there are only so many hours in a day. Some opt for it due to financial reasons, while others so as to gain the much needed working experience in order to ensure a smooth entry to the job market.
Advantages
Combining work with studies equals financial independence, a quality that enhances one’s self satisfaction in the sense that they invest in their personal choices, be it for recreational or educational purposes. A financially independent person also matures faster and learns the tools of the trade early on. Academic studies on their end are more theoretical and research oriented, rather than practical and hands-on.
Work history provides the person with a sense of the workings of the economy and its practical needs and of the required knowledge and skill sets that will lead to lucrative opportunities in the future. One’s exposure to company culture can also prove to be beneficial to their psychology and overall stance since, under the given circumstances, they need to best their peers and evolve as professionals. They also get to hone their skills and plan their next steps responsibly, with experience and responsibility on their side.
Last but not least, they familiarize themselves with the idea of learning new things and putting them into practice, a practice that ends only with the end of working life, due to the rapid, global advancements evident in all fields and the consequential need of constant training.
Disadvantages
First and foremost, balancing multiple obligations seems hard, if not impossible. Most of the time, university hours overlap with working hours, resulting in the loss of precious instruction time. It is highly likely that, during lessons, lectures of great importance for the final exams will take place and note taking would be crucial for their success.
In addition, in case of an assignment, the psychological and physical strain required for carrying through with all their obligations is to be anticipated. Delivering assignments on time is bound to be hard to achieve since either time will be scarce, or their analysis will be left to the last minute.
Is there a chance of a burn out?
Each personality is different, therefore it depends on how a person deals with external pressure. For a person that desires to be on time for everything and not diverge from their day to day schedule, all this excessive struggle to meet their obligations might mean disruptions to their mental health. Keeping a consistent stance at work and at university will be met either directly, or indirectly, with fatigue.
Less time for introspection
In other words, taking care of our inner self comes second, and by extension so does dedicating time to ourselves. Working students enjoy neither university life to the fullest, nor take part in external activities; for them, time for socializing and meeting new people is limited to non-existent.
Choosing between work and university is a matter of personal judgement. Financial hardship is without a doubt an important and decisive factor in deciding to look for a job. At any rate, students should not turn a blind eye to their needs and choose responsibly so as to avoid losing interest in their studies.
Αν επιθυμείς να διεκδικήσεις υποτροφίες στην Ελλάδα ή το εξωτερικό, ο Οδηγός Υποτροφιών του Citycampus σου προσφέρει ό,τι χρειάζεσαι!
