My sweet spot for how many hours is a part-time job for a student

[SalmaBrown]

I see this question popping up all the time, so I wanted to share what finally worked for me after two years of trial and error! When I was a sophomore, I tried working 25 hours a week at a restaurant, and honestly? I almost flunked out. I was tired, my grades slipped, and I was miserable.

After that disaster, I really sat down and figured out how many hours is a part-time job for a student who actually wants to have a life AND good grades. For me, the magic number is 12-15 hours per week.

I currently work at the library (best job ever, honestly—I can study when it's quiet!), and I do three 4-hour shifts. This leaves me plenty of time for classes, homework, and even hanging with friends on weekends. I still have money for coffee and the occasional concert ticket.

The key is finding a job that's flexible with your exam schedule. My boss lets us swap shifts easily during midterms, which is a lifesaver. So my advice? Don't just look at the money—think about where you're working and if they respect your student life. What's everyone else's ideal weekly hours? Let's discuss!

 

[Melissa]

This is such a useful discussion! Here's my breakdown based on 3 years of trial and error:

10-12 hours = Ideal for STEM/hard science majors with labs
12-15 hours = Perfect for humanities/social sciences
15-18 hours = Possible if your job allows studying on the clock (like front desk or library)
18+ hours = Only if you're part-time student or superhuman

The type of job matters SO much. Salma mentioned library jobs—those are GOLD because you can knock out readings during slow shifts. Restaurant jobs pay better but drain your energy completely. Don't just count hours; count how much those hours take from your brain.