How to Balance School and Work in High School

Juggling school and work can be a difficult task, but if done successfully it can be a valuable lesson in life skills.

Difficulty:

Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need

• Calculators
• Local Newspapers
• Bank Account
• Calendars
• Personal Organizers

1. Decide how many days per week you can comfortably work without allowing your schoolwork and social life to suffer.

2. Look in your local paper or on a job board for jobs that specify part-time employment.

3. Find a job that's fun. Doing something that interests you will ensure that your work time doesn't feel like prison time.

4. Make it clear to your employer that school is very important to you, and that the agreed number of hours is non-negotiable.

5. Make a schedule that allows for work hours, study hours, social hours and alone time. Feel free to revise the schedule as you learn what you're comfortable with.

6. Open a savings or checking account at your local bank. Keep track of your earnings, and create a budget that will allow you plenty of spending money with some left over for your savings.

Tips & Warnings

• A job that places you alongside other teens can help keep the social part of your life going, even when you're working. Just remember that while you're at work, socializing takes second place to getting the job done. And if you're interacting with customers, they come first.

• Take one full weekend day off every week, if possible, to make sure that you maintain your sanity.