How to Balance Being a Full-Time College Student with a Part-Time Job 

One of the biggest challenges facing students in college is the stress of a busy schedule. With classes, clubs and extracurricular activities, you may wonder: How can you work full time and go to college? Getting a job in college is a good way to gain experience in different career fields and make some money while doing it! Approaching the challenge of balancing jobs and school with a prepared mindset is essential to thrive as a working student. Here are a few strategies for balancing life as a full tiem college student with a part-time job. 

Understanding the Challenge of Being a Full-Time College Student

It is a good idea to consider what to expect when working while you’re a student. Learning how to balance school and work will set you up for future success. While college is a busy time, post-college life can be just as overwhelming. Building a foundation of time-management skills as a working student can translate into career success later in life. Part of this journey might include studying what the Bible has to say about work and rest. For example, passages such as Matthew 11:28-30 talk about finding rest in the Lord. 

Balancing work and school will always have its challenges. Multiple deadlines in both parts of life may lead to stress and a sense of urgency to complete assignments. For Gordon students the Counseling Center offers aid for stress-related struggles and can help you develop healthy strategies for handling the rigors of the college years. Talking to a counselor can help you figure out how to organize your schedule in a way that takes the pressure off. 

Benefits of Working While Studying 

One of the most beneficial aspects of holding a job while in school is the opportunity to connect with professionals. A student working as an intern can display their professional demeanor and willingness to learn in front of workers who have been in the field for years, perhaps paving the way for a future career. These seasoned workers may be willing to recommend you for a job or provide a valuable reference during your job search after school.  

At Gordon students employed on campus work alongside fellow Christian believers. Student jobs are abundant at Gordon, with options ranging from dining hall employment to administrative jobs in the Student Life and Chapel offices. Students can also work with Gordon’s Physical Plant to make the campus beautiful with flowers and manicured lawns. Working with fellow Christians can offer you a foundation for applying biblical values in a professional atmosphere that you can apply to future jobs, Christian or not. 

Effective Strategies for Balancing School and Work 

One practical thing to consider when trying to balance work and school is how efficiently you use your time. An article in the Harvard Business Review offers some suggestions for successful time management, such as being aware of how good you are at managing time, figuring out what time of day you are most productive and making use of an organizational system. Some students use paper planners, while others prefer a digital planner. Writing lists and prioritizing tasks can help you keep track of everything you have to get done each day. 

Maintaining quality performance in both school and work is important. One way to effectively keep up your grades is to seek out help from people on campus who know the class material well and can answer any questions, such as professors, teachers’ assistants and fellow students. Similarly, coworkers and supervisors are good resources when work feels overwhelming. Holding yourself to reasonable standards in school and work will ensure that you feel satisfaction for a job well done, rather than disappointment and burnout.  

Real-Life Success Stories of Full Time College Students

When considering how to work and go to college, it helps to look at examples of how other students have made this combination work. Gordon student Marisa Grant ’25 (elementary education) is currently completing an internship as a behavior technician and therapist at a speech therapy clinic. Through this experience Grant has learned about professionalism, accountability and hard work. “Internships take a lot of time and energy from the week, so it’s important that I have scheduled times throughout the week after work to get schoolwork done so I stay on top of everything,” Grant said.  

Another Gordon student, Allison LaRue ’24 (political science), also works while studying for her degree. LaRue’s job is not closely tied to her major––she works as a part-time barista at a local coffee shop. However, her job gives LaRue more financial freedom. “The benefit of working during school is that I am able to make money to afford living on my own while also pursuing my education,” said LaRue.  

Check Out Campus Resources  

There are many challenging aspects of being a full time college student but working while going to school doesn’t have to be one of them. Come visit and learn more about how students are supported as they work and study at Gordon. Contact the Admissions Office to schedule a tour and learn about the opportunities students have for working on and off campus in a variety of jobs and internships.   

Reagan Forbes ’24, communication arts