How many hours of work for a college student?

[LuFins Dad]

Luke is planning on working a little while he’s in school and we’re trying to figure out a good amount of hours that wouldn’t interfere with his studying and would still give him time for a life. I’m thinking 16 hours or so... One full shift on a weekend and 2 half shifts during the week. Too much? Too little?

[89th]

Yeah I’d say 16-20 would be fine. I’ve known folks who have done far less and far more. Depends on the job, really...

[George K]

@lufins-dad said in How many hours of work for a college student?:

One full shift on a weekend and 2 half shifts during the week.

Perfect.

[Axtremus]

There can be a wide range depends on the person, the job(s), and the academic course load that will vary over the course of his study. Start conservatively and adjust as you go. Good luck.

[Jolly]

Both of my kids worked. No more than 20 hours. Max.

Of course, some of that is job dependent. I had a buddy who worked for Hertz at a small regional airport. He worked from 5p-9p, M-F. He only had two American Eagle flights come in, one at 5p and another at 8p. Other than 30 minutes of activity with each flight, he was paid to sit there and study.

Dude still owes me a Morrison & Boyd...

[Mik]

Have him get a work-study job. Then he won't really have to work and you sure don't have to commute. They call it that because you can usually study at work.

[LuFins Dad]

@mik the vast majority of the work study jobs are reserved for students getting Pell Grants and such. Plus, they pay minimum wage. Luke’s making $12 per hour at Walmart and would like to keep the rate and job, just transfer between stores during school and breaks...

[Klaus]

I think it's somewhat counterproductive for students to work during the semester. For most students, it leads to significantly prolonged total study time. It would be more efficient to study faster and then get a decent salary earlier.

I'd recommend a job which is mainly in the semester breaks, when - in many courses of study - there isn't that much to do.

[Copper]

@lufins-dad said in How many hours of work for a college student?:

I’m thinking 16 hours or so

I think I worked 20-30, year round (more during the summer) when I was in college. But I was working at the college bookstore so I was right on campus, it was convenient.

I also worked at Fenway Park as a vendor. But that was only 81 games per year - nights and weekends.

[Friday]

It depends on the student and their workload.

Just make sure he knows that if it gets to be too much, he shouldn't feel bad abut quitting or asking for shorter hours.

My daughter got a job in a boba place half a block from her apartment, and on her second day working, they TOLD her to stay another 3 hours because they were busy. She texted my husband frustrated and angry. We told her to to just leave, say "sorry, I've got school work to do". And her response was "can I do that?"

She knows that school is the number one priority, but she was also brought up to respect authority. She thought that she would "get in trouble" or she would look bad somehow. In her mind she was going to stay and just cram her studies later.

She is learning to find that balance.

[Aqua Letifer]

@friday said in How many hours of work for a college student?:

She is learning to find that balance.

I can help! I'm exceedingly good at quitting jobs!

[Axtremus]

@klaus said in How many hours of work for a college student?:

I think it's somewhat counterproductive for students to work during the semester. For most students, it leads to significantly prolonged total study time. It would be more efficient to study faster and then get a decent salary earlier.

I'd recommend a job which is mainly in the semester breaks, when - in many courses of study - there isn't that much to do.

Not saying this is Luke's situation, but many American university students really need to work a lot while school is in session to help pay for tuition and room and board. It's like paying a boat load of money out of your own pocket to get medical care, it's one of those American things that is sometimes hard for Europeans with strong social safety nets to grasp.

[Copper]

@axtremus said in How many hours of work for a college student?:

out of your own pocket

taxes come out of your own pocket

[Axtremus]

@copper said in How many hours of work for a college student?:

@axtremus said in How many hours of work for a college student?:

out of your own pocket

taxes come out of your own pocket

So are local police, fire department, and national defense.

[Copper]

@axtremus said in How many hours of work for a college student?:

@copper said in How many hours of work for a college student?:

@axtremus said in How many hours of work for a college student?:

out of your own pocket

taxes come out of your own pocket

So are local police, fire department, and national defense.

You said it comes out of American pockets like those magic European pockets don't have to pay for education, it just floats down from heaven.

It doesn't.

It comes out of pockets and every time the government touches it it shrinks.

[Jolly]

@lufins-dad said in How many hours of work for a college student?:

@mik the vast majority of the work study jobs are reserved for students getting Pell Grants and such. Plus, they pay minimum wage. Luke’s making $12 per hour at Walmart and would like to keep the rate and job, just transfer between stores during school and breaks...

You are correct that most work-study jobs are income dependent.