Saturday, July 14, 2007

Term 3 Week 3 Task 4

Does It Pay to Combine Work with Studies? source from: http://www.bookrags.com/essay-2005/9/29/161124/526

It is not surprised to hear of any student nowadays working as part timer while schooling. In fact, many think that they should be independent and not ask money from their parents any more.

Many do have the working experience, either from part time jobs or full time ones. Some may take up a part time job during their long year end holiday because they have nothing better to do. They find working during the school holidays much more meaningful than sitting in front of the television set everyday. In addition, they get to taste the life of working adults and thus, gain valuable experiences. Not only have that, by working as part timers, the students themselves get a chance to earn their own pocket money. Some students work while schooling because of their humble family backgrounds. Students from such families have no choice but to work and study simultaneously. Others may think that they are old enough to be financially independent. They do not want to ask money from their parents any more. They think that by working as part timer, they can earn their own allowance and reduce the burden of their parents. However, some people work during study years simply because they want to have the experience which may be helpful for their future. In this ever challenging world, one will only get a good job (after graduation) when she or he has the required related working experience. For instance, reported years ago in Singapore, the daughter of a local big company’s director worked as part time waitress in MacDonald as told by her rich father. The main aim, explained by her dad, was to let her then 14 year-old daughter to gain the necessary experience of earning her own money.

However, does it pay to combine work and study?

In a survey, many working students complained about the lack of sleep due to school work and the part time work they take. These students always end up dozing off during lectures and classes. They also said that they did not perform to the best of their abilities for their examinations. Others said that by taking up a part time job, they have very little time for their school work; let alone be there for hobbies and families. As a result, many students are losing their role as a student – play and study. They get no leisure time and not being sociable in school. Gaps between their friends and themselves widened. They also said that their part time job is not related to the subjects they are studying. Thus, not of much help in their studies.

On the other hand, some find working and studying help them in one way or another. For instance, a student who gives tuition to someone may gain some knowledge in the process. You teach while you earn – not only money but knowledge and experience. Why not then? Some people think that by working, they are better in time management. They can now treasure time better and making their every second more meaningful. What is more, there were a few, who told the questionnaires that now, having a job; they feel better because of more independence. And there were several who mentioned that one more benefit is the ability to meet other people, they find themselves being more sociable in the working force. Only one student asserted that he gets better skills in the field of his studies.

In conclusion, full time students are able to study and work at the same time. Most of them have a part time job, and only some - a full time. And those who do not work are, for the most part, willing to. And it can be seen that students look realistically to the combination of working and studying simultaneously. They have no dreams of such co-ordination being easy and effortless. I think that students work as part timers during school periods is not advisable. As a student, our job is to study and not to work. By working and studying together, we will sure lose the precious time we have for revision and homework. I think that students who intend to work as part timers better to do so only during their school vocations.

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