Working and College

echo of light

Hi all

I am heading into my final year in Maynooth and I'm a business student.
However, there is the possibility that I could get work also.
The work would consist of 3 12 hour shifts those being on Friday, Saturday and Sunday nights .
On one hand, I want to take this because i felt that my first two years of college were very boring and I only found myself busy study wise around exam times.

However given that it is final year and I desperately want a good 2.1 degree. I feel i should concentrate a lot more on my studies and I would be exhausted during the week if I was to take this offer.

All in all, I find myself in a dilemma and im undecided on what to do.

Has anyone any advice or any past experienes of working through college??

Any input would be greatly appreciated.:D

tootyflutty

echo of light wrote: »

Hi all

I am heading into my final year in Maynooth and I'm a business student.
However, there is the possibility that I could get work also.
The work would consist of 3 12 hour shifts those being on Friday, Saturday and Sunday nights .
On one hand, I want to take this because i felt that my first two years of college were very boring and I only found myself busy study wise around exam times.

However given that it is final year and I desperately want a good 2.1 degree. I feel i should concentrate a lot more on my studies and I would be exhausted during the week if I was to take this offer.

All in all, I find myself in a dilemma and im undecided on what to do.

Has anyone any advice or any past experienes of working through college??

Any input would be greatly appreciated.:D

From the end of first year I worked 3 day weekends, sometimes working Thursday night too, or doing two 16 hour shifts in 3 days (completely illegal, but that's bar work for you!)
Just a few things to take into consideration:

First, do not make module choices based on getting Fridays off, as easy as it may seem, choosing a disliked module for the sake of work will make your grade suffer. I know I did this in 2ns year and hugely regretted it. You will find it so much harder to stay interested or do the work if you don't like the topic.

Secondly, your own mental and physical health. As obvious as it may seem, take care of yourself. I sacrificed all but 4 Thursday nights out in Maynooth over 3 years to work, and missed EVERY night out at home on weekends (including all my friends birthdays, 21st, families gatherings, Eurovision , everything!) and boy does that affect your relationships with people. It's only now that I can really start to catch up on everything I missed.

As for physical health, as any of the people that know in real life here know, I was seriously ill during my finals this year and was hospitalised. And I have no doubt it was due to being run-down, not minding myself and being over worked. (I've since had to sit all my exams in August and now won't graduate until October.) At the time I was running in the SU elections, writing my thesis, doing my composition portfolio, trying to remain active in clubs and societies, trying to keep up with college work AND working 3 day weekends. Final year is stressful enough, without the added pressures of a part time job. You will struggle to find the time as it is to put in the hours of study you want this year, so just be wary.

Those things said, financially it was a great idea for me, I felt it gave me independce, and eased the burden on my parents as my brother and sister are both in college too. I loved the feeling of being my own person, and taking responsibility for my spending. Your job opportunity might also be beneficial in your field of study, and be great for you CV, but then again, might this offer come up again in a years time when you've finished your study and can devot real time and interest?

Make a decision on what you think is best, this is just my experience. Even try it for a while maybe and then decide?

unclejunior

Hi OP,

If I had to choose whether to work in my final year or not, I would choose not to, for the simple reason that your grades will suffer because of it. Unfortunately I haven't this choice and I'm forced to work to fund my education and I fear the results I achieve in final year will not be a reflection of this.
However its not something you should dwell on, Maynooth can be quite boaring at times anyway and work helps you take your mind off the fact that you reside in a hick town.