Many teens are currently juggling work and school on a daily basis. Many of them find it hard to keep up with their grades and schoolwork, while still playing sports and maintaining a social life. Teens have a lot of new ideas as they try to better balance the two.
A lot of teens feel tired constantly with how busy their day can be. Furthermore, organization is key to balancing the two and figuring out when to find time for schoolwork while also working.
“Finding time to do homework and being motivated to do it is hard when I just want to sleep sometimes and get good rest,” Junior Jack Budion said. “Having hockey late at night and then having to get up early for school and having work after, I get very little rest,” Budion added.
Junior Brady Schneider works early on the weekends starting at about 6 a.m. He emphasizes how his job does not affect his schoolwork a lot because he sleeps on weekends if he was not working.
“I just balance the two, so like when I’m not working, I get my schoolwork done either before work, during work, or after work,” Schutz said.
Trying to not procrastinate and get school work done when students have free time is a great way to balance both work and school. Although, research has shown that working more than 15 hours does take a toll on students grades. In addition, research also suggests working on weekends or just two afternoons a week would be a good place to start.
Budion thinks working is worth his time and effort because “it doesn’t really conflict with a lot” and it allows teens to pay for the essentials like food and gas.
The type of job students have has a lot of effects to how much it interferes with school. A more flexible job allows teens to be able to get off work if needed or it allows them to do schoolwork at work if they have time.
“It’s really relaxed and lowkey. Where I’m not doing anything, so I can be a little productive and get my homework done,” Budion said.
Additionally, getting support from parents, counselors, teachers, etc would be very beneficial for many teens to figure out their situation. Teens should not feel they are alone in this and should express how they are feeling to help themselves.
Schneider, Budion and Schutz all said they do not regret having a job and they all believe having a job is great not just for the money but for job experience as well.
“I recommend a job for all those out there who don’t have jobs,” Schutz said.
