Good Grades or Money?: Student’s Thoughts on Balancing School and Work

By Marissa Fee

It’s a common occurrence for a high school student to have a job. What is not common is the talk of the struggles that come with it. Is it because there are no struggles, or is it better to try and manage it by yourself?

There are many reasons why students have part-time jobs. To earn extra cash, help at home, or maybe have their own business. Whatever the case may be, how do these students handle not only work, but schoolwork on top of that? 

Tessa Stevens, a sophomore, explains she finds it difficult to maintain her struggles at work and school. 

“Since I get home late, I find it very hard to find the time to do school work. Hence, why my grades are so low.” Most jobs usually keep their teen workers until they close. For most businesses, this could be anytime from 8 to 10, depending on the type of business. After closing, it’s normal to want to go home, get ready for bed, and go to sleep. Having to deal with homework could result in a lack of sleep, and create stress for someone. 

She also explains that “education is still important, but look at what you can do now without a diploma.” Many workforces don’t require a diploma or any type of college degree. If a student doesn’t see themselves wanting to go to college, it may take away the motivation to strive for good grades. 

In another light, some students may find it easy to control their schoolwork while being employed. 

Hannah Moore, a senior, finds it fairly easy to manage. All through her high school career, she has been in honors and AP classes. And as a student who is going to college, education is very important to her.

“I would say it really depends on some weeks. It can be stressful, but other weeks it’s a break from school sorta thing, just because I do love my job… It actually helps me to release some stress.” Moore explains. Having a fun or stress-free work environment can actually make work enjoyable, while earning money at the same time. 

But is it better to have good grades or money?

“I am someone who prioritizes their education over money, but I also have grown up in a household where money has never been something we struggle with. So my mom has always drilled it in my head that my education comes before anything else.” Hannah says.

Another common thing that people may not realize is when obtaining a job, it can be hard to keep pursuing with your hobbies. After school, working, extracurricular activities, hobbies come in last place. Finding time to do the things you love becomes a challenge, which can be daunting for students. Something you used to enjoy is now a rarity that you can only do every once in a awhile. 

Luckily, with summer coming up, students may find it easier to actually enjoy their hobbies since they have extra free time. 

So for the people that find it hard to keep up on all their work, here are some tips!

Don’t procrastinate. Set your priorities straight. Set reasonable goals. Get your work done during school so you don’t have to complete it outside of school. Focus on your mental health. Ensure you have a job that can be flexible with your schedule.

In the end, do what is best for you.