Read the text below and answer all questions.

Should students work part-time while studying?

By Ereen Nasir

Part-time job

With the increasing costs attached to the pursuit of higher education, working part-time while
studying has become a necessity for many students – be it for the sake of covering daily expenses,
paying for tuition or miscellaneous academic fees, or just for extra allowances. This issue has become
more and more apparent in our society today. More than just being apparent, it has also become a
dilemma for many students. In this article, we will weigh the pros and cons to students taking up
part- time jobs while studying, along with a few pointers towards the end of this article.

Pros

The good thing about working part-time while studying is the fact that money will not be the only
thing which you will gain through working. It is also the great opportunities which you can attain with
first-hand experience in the marketplace that can help prepare you for the real working world.

Learn how to work with and for other people as opposed to confining yourself to the solitary pursuit
of studying. Who knows you might even be able to gain some experience in the field(s) in which you
wish to venture into upon your graduation. If you are able to find the correct job, it will give you an
invaluable head start in your career and you will have the upper hand the moment you graduate.

If you’re an international student seeking to work part-time while you study, you will get to
experience the language, culture and lifestyle of the people in your chosen destination– first-hand.
Working in a foreign country will give you a totally different experience compared to when you work
in your home country.

Cons

One of the down sides to working during your studies is that it takes up time. As a student, this is one
of your greatest assets especially when your course gets tougher – you will need to allocate more of
your day to research and revision. Besides that, the ugly truth about part-time jobs is that you will
rarely find a job which can help glamorize your CV and allow you to miss a few working days to meet
your assignment deadlines.
Realistically, most students will not be able to get jobs at law firms or newspapers since these
positions usually demand at least an academic degree or some working experience in related fields.
Therefore, students would most likely end up occupying unskilled positions like waitressing, dish
washing, babysitting, product promoting and so on.

Some tips for you:

1. Plan your time wisely

Plan your time according to your academic calendar. Block out crucial dates (e.g. examination dates,
assignment due dates, presentations…etc) and inform your employer about your absence at least
one month in advance. Students are discouraged to work during exam time. If your semester is a
long one, then choose to work only during the first half of the semester and concentrate on your
studies as exam dates approach.

2. Plan your finances wisely

Never spend more than what you can afford. Also, never spend everything that you earn. Save up to
at least 20% of your earning for rainy days. If you’re not planning to work during exams, then you
should plan your finances in such a way that you will always have enough to spend even when you
don’t work.

3. Apply for scholarships or financial aid

Can’t seem to juggle between both work and studies? Try applying for scholarships which offer
financial aid to students who have financial difficulties. Good academic results are crucial if you want
to obtain and maintain scholarships.

Adopted from https://www.hotcoursesabroad.com/study-abroad-info/student-

finances/should- students-work-part-
time-while-studying/

1. Who do you think is the intended audience for this text?

2. What topic is the author talking about?
3. Is the topic related to your current situation? Why?
4. Do you think it is possible for students to work while studying? Why?
5. Do you think the author has any bias about the topic? Explain.
6. What is your personal view about the topic?
7. What do you think will be the effect(s) when students working?
8. What do you think the picture wants to tell you?

Note: Prepare answers as if each questions carry 5 marks.