The balancing act of a full-time student

The warm weather has officially rolled in and many post-secondary students are taking advantage of their summer break. For high school students, however, the school year is still ongoing.

Sudden changes to home, school, and work because of COVID-19 have made a critical impact on every aspect of student life. With the confirmation that high school students will not return to the classroom this year, and the shift to an online learning platform, the risk of dropout is at an alltime high. That is why it is important, now more than ever, that students and employers prioritize education and a healthy work-school balance.

The recommended hours for a student job is between 10-15 hours per week, not more than 20 hours. As many students work for essential businesses, the heightened demand for these services means that some high school students are now working close to fulltime hours. A select few students can work increased hours and still manage their school workload, however, not all students can be held to that same expectation. More work hours mean that students are more likely to be missing their online classes and have less time to complete important assignments and meet deadlines. This is especially critical for students who were already struggling before the pandemic.

A part-time job, albeit a great income and learning opportunity, should not take away from a student’s education. A high school diploma is important for many reasons; furthering your education to make yourself available to apply for jobs carrying higher salaries and better benefits. It also increases the likelihood of holding long-term employment and having a stable lifestyle. The long-term benefits of getting an education outweighs the short-term gain of working for money right now.

Here are a few tips to help students balance school and work:

Talk about your schedule - Balancing school and work are easier with the support of family members.

Start slowly - If possible; don’t commit to working a lot of hours immediately.

Avoid time conflicts - plan class and work schedules as far ahead as possible.

Have a to-do list and a schedule - respect them.

Make yourself a study space that has all the required tools and materials.

Lessen distractions - Turn off any devices that you do not need to do schoolwork.

Prioritize - tackle the most important tasks first.

The Compass program offers one-onone support for local students who are struggling to maintain a healthy workschool balance. If you or someone you know is struggling with work-school balance. Please contact our Compass Coordinator, Elizabeth Courchesne (ecourchesne@phelpshelps.ca), for support.

Phelps Aide Phelps Helps was founded in 2012 and has grown organically from a single high school tutoring program to six unique programs, providing the Stanstead area with free educational and career support. For more information or to volunteer, please email us at info@phelpshelps.ca, visit our website at www.phelpshelps.ca.