Are you at University and have a part time job?

Nix · 2 Jul 2007 at 18:40

Yes, I work. I couldn't afford to be at university otherwise!

I work part-time for the students' union and as we're all students, the rota-system is very flexible. Basically, every four weeks we pick our shifts for the following four weeks and have every opportunity to swap the shifts if we need to. Although saying that, some hours are far from sociable (Friday: 8pm-4am, for example.)

I think I'll be working far less this year though as in your third year, you're generally very busy!

As for the particular shifts you should be working... every university is different. Spend some time working out when nights are which you want free for socialising, clubs, sports, etc. and also aim to work around your timetable. Ofcourse this isn't always possible, so you might just have to "get what you're given"

Kreeeee · 2 Jul 2007 at 18:41

I work 16 hours every weekend for £7 an hour at sainsburys. I won't be doing it next year though. It's far better to work full time during summer and then not at all during term time. It's easily manageable with the minimum loan and no external help.

DarkShadow · 2 Jul 2007 at 18:42

I do 16 hours on the weekend (8 hours per day) and I did it find it rather tight when it came close to deadlines but I learnt to work around it. I will be pushing it down to 12 hours this year round.

Nix · 2 Jul 2007 at 18:43

Kreeeee said:
I work 18 hours every weekend for £7 an hour at sainsburys. I won't be doing it next year though. It's far better to work full time during summer and then not at all during term time. It's easily manageable with the minimum loan and no external help.

The problem I've found is finding work during summer is nigh impossible. Fingers crossed though!

dark_shadow said:
I do 16 hours on the weekend (8 hours per day) and I did it find it rather tight when it came close to deadlines but I learnt to work around it. I will be pushing it down to 12 hours this year round.

On the flip-side, I've also found this true! I've generally found that it forces me to organise my time and consequently get on with my work when it needs doing

Kreeeee · 2 Jul 2007 at 18:46

Nix said:
The problem I've found is finding work during summer is nigh impossible. Fingers crossed though!

Yes, that is an issue.

DarkShadow · 2 Jul 2007 at 18:54

Nix said:
As for the particular shifts you should be working... every university is different. Spend some time working out when nights are which you want free for socialising, clubs, sports, etc. and also aim to work around your timetable. Ofcourse this isn't always possible, so you might just have to "get what you're given"

I really can't stress on this point enough, it's absolutely crucial for any student who wishes to have a smooth year, to plan ahead. Whilst I did plan, I went through a period where everything went wrong, a lesson very well learnt.

This year I'm going to allocate days/time for nights out, gym, work, revision & studying.

laissez-faire · 2 Jul 2007 at 19:01

Join the OTC.

You easily can get £200 a month just for working 2 weekends a month and showing up for a Wednesday night training session. It also means that while you are working you are also socialising, some people I know only socialise with the OTC and end up just always getting paid to go on the lash. It is a good way of doing things.

Kristoph · 2 Jul 2007 at 19:05

I'm working 21 hours a weekend at uni, Friday/Sat/Sunday - 5 hours friday, 9 hours saturday, 7 hours sunday. Weekend is the most expensive in Bournemouth so all student nights tend to be Monday-Thursday.

I'm on a 'store swap' with ASDA, they have me contracted so I get 90 hours holiday, and I can swap between each store (Home and Bournemouth). When I'm at home I have about 30-45 hours a week (Easter, summer, xmas) and I can go on hols too, my manager is letting me take a month off to NZ when I should be doing my 'Seasonal' bit at my home store.

Supermarkets are the best when it comes to flexibility.

Oh, and I get a £360 bonus in February with my pay packet.

tom_e · 2 Jul 2007 at 19:08

laissez-faire said:
Join the OTC.

You easily can get £200 a month just for working 2 weekends a month and showing up for a Wednesday night training session. It also means that while you are working you are also socialising, some people I know only socialise with the OTC and end up just always getting paid to go on the lash. It is a good way of doing things.

This guy makes a very good point, a few of the guys i know are in it and ive been to some of the balls and belive me for what you do the pays ace, the beer is seriously cheap, pretty much everything is paid for and then you get your pay on top

azteched · 2 Jul 2007 at 19:13

Kreeeee said:
I work 16 hours every weekend for £7 an hour at sainsburys. I won't be doing it next year though. It's far better to work full time during summer and then not at all during term time. It's easily manageable with the minimum loan and no external help.

Ah Clifton Down Sainsbury's how I love thee, been there at least 5 times a week for 3 years! Considered working there last summer, but ended up working at the uni; that's another option for summer work, great if you enjoy your subject and can wring some money out of a funding body!

Kreeeee · 2 Jul 2007 at 19:40

azteched said:
Ah Clifton Down Sainsbury's how I love thee, been there at least 5 times a week for 3 years! Considered working there last summer, but ended up working at the uni; that's another option for summer work, great if you enjoy your subject and can wring some money out of a funding body!

Aye, I live a 20 seconds sprint form there

James?

Laurio · 2 Jul 2007 at 20:51

I worked 2 part time jobs while at uni, i couldnt hack it. Im just glad i dont have to do it anymore! Best off sticking to weekend work to be honest. Just make sure you have enough time to study.

SideWinder · 2 Jul 2007 at 21:21

laissez-faire said:
Join the OTC.

You easily can get £200 a month just for working 2 weekends a month and showing up for a Wednesday night training session. It also means that while you are working you are also socialising, some people I know only socialise with the OTC and end up just always getting paid to go on the lash. It is a good way of doing things.

OTC?

Dave · 2 Jul 2007 at 21:25

Officer Training Corps (I think), branch of the TA.

Spleenus · 2 Jul 2007 at 21:59

I did about 25- 30 hours a week working p/t whilst at uni. It depends on your time management skills as I still found time out to socialise.

Kreeeee · 2 Jul 2007 at 22:18

Spleenus said:
I did about 25- 30 hours a week working p/t whilst at uni. It depends on your time management skills as I still found time out to socialise.

Hours in a week: 24*7 = 168
Sleep: 8*7 = 56
lectures + labs: 35
weekly coursework: 10
cooking and eating: 10.5
showering + teeth etc: 3.5
work: 16
socialising: 14
exercise: 10
vegging out on ocuk/playing games: rest of time = 13

where the heck did you find the time?!

tom_e · 2 Jul 2007 at 22:37

Kreeeee said:
Hours in a week: 24*7 = 168
Sleep: 8*7 = 56
lectures + labs: 35
weekly coursework: 10
cooking and eating: 10.5
showering + teeth etc: 3.5
work: 16
socialising: 14
exercise: 10
vegging out on ocuk/playing games: rest of time = 13

where the heck did you find the time?!

Lectures are over rated

ironman · 3 Jul 2007 at 00:04

I'm at university and do events coordinating part time, luckily it coincides with my social life otherwise I wouldn't have really done it.

SpeedFreak · 3 Jul 2007 at 00:53

I managed to fit in 25 hrs a week ontop of a Physics degree. It is doable, just takes a lot out of you, but if your parents aren't in a position help you, you just get it done.