Advice from your peers…

• Look for a job on campus—it’s easier for commuting purposes and it helps you meet other people
  who might be able to help you when you need assistance or advice. Campus employers are
  sometimes more understanding of your study schedule and may allow for flexible schedules during
  exam times or when you have papers due.
• When you interview for a job, ask the employer if the job has any flexibility to accommodate your
  school class and study schedule. Ask if the job would allow for leaving early to study for tests and
  making up the hours later.
• Sign up for your school classes first and then look for work that will fit around your school schedule
  rather than the reverse. Each semester, talk to your employer to find out if your work schedule can
  be adjusted to fit your class schedule.
• Find a work schedule that you can handle. For some students, going to school in day time hours
  and working at night or weekends was the best. Others found it better to work in‐between classes
  and have their weekends free to study. One student sold Avon products so she could schedule her
  own work hours. Typically, she worked 2 – 3 hours each day selling products but she could vary
  those hours to fit her classes, assignments, and test schedule.
• Budget your time just like you budget your money. Block off time in your schedule for work,
  classes, and studying. “I would say that I had to learn to plan thoroughly and I stress that word
  ‘thoroughly’ because sometimes you might plan something but you overlook something vital. Like, I
  didn’t thoroughly think through that you need plenty of reading time to take literature courses and
  I scheduled two literature courses and a math course and another history class. Well, these three
  classes, you have to have plenty of reading time. So, I started reading ahead on the weekends so
  when the class comes, I will already be familiar with the information that is going to be taught.
• If you have a couple of hours before I have to come to work, take time out and study or do an
  assignment. If you have an assignment that will take longer, then approach it like a big elephant,
  one piece at a time.
• Even the best planning doesn’t always work out. In these cases, just try to stay focused. Realize
  that everyone has rough days and everyone has rough weeks and you just have to know that you
  will get over it.
• When your plan fails, develop a new plan to dig yourself out of your hole.
• On‐line classes often offer more flexibility for your work schedule. Check out the possibilities of
  taking at least some courses that are offered on‐line (sometimes called Distance Learning, webbased
  courses, or televised courses.)
• Remember that school comes first and schedule your work around school so you won’t fail your
  classes and you can complete college.
• You have to have a good GPA and be in school to continue to receive your scholarships so stay
  focused on school. Even though money is very enticing, education can be of much more value;
  education as a long term impact whereas money is just short term at that moment. Money will go
  away easily but your education will help you earn more money for the rest of your life.