The concept of balance renders crucial for students working part-time

By Elizabeth Janiak | Contributor

Amidst piles of homework, there are students at Augusta University who work-part-time jobs that challenge their time management skills. As all healthy habits go, there is a balance to be struck for these students, but it is not easy.

For Matthew Gunter, a senior at AU, his part-time job experience is quite pleasant compared to his fellow students.

“I work at the JSAC as a building manager,” he said. “You volunteer when you can work. I work 20 hours a week, but I could work as little or as much as I want.”

Although he works in a very supportive environment, Gunter still experiences procrastination with deadlines and stress from both the academic and work life.

“I have good time management, but life happens and stuff gets away from you,” said Gunter.

To combat the stresses of academic and work life combined, Gunter said that he does check-ins with his manager and utilizes various forms of exercise to help relieve the pressure of both workloads. He also explained that he has achieved a sense of his own study habits in his final year of classes.

“I know exactly how long it will take me to do something and it will get done,” he stated.

With hopes to graduate in the fall of 2022, Gunter had advice to pass on to other students who work for the university.

“Go to Career Services! When working on campus, they are accommodating to your needs as a student and want you to graduate,” he said.

Gunter recommends that all part-time working students know their boundaries.

“Learn when to say ‘no’ and learn to ask for help. Find that balance,” he said.

As with most universities, AU offers not only on-campus jobs, but facilities to assist students who are looking to sharpen their time management skills and find a better way to study. The Academic Success Center has a variety of tutors that guide their peers with the skills they need to have a successful academic life.

Tulshi Patel is one of the department’s Academic Peer Tutors. She works to give fellow students study tips when they were unable to fully understand the material in class.

According to Patel, she helps students with “putting the skills they learned here into action so they can succeed in class.”

Time is a commodity, especially in a busy student’s life. The idea of planning the day may seem daunting for students, but skills like these are practical for all aspects of life and in preparing for the future. Although her focus is improve study habits for students, Patel said that time management goes part and parcel with a thriving educational life.

“I would say first to get work and class schedules and see what gaps there are and assess how to fit studying into those gaps,” she said.

Patel tutors a variety of students and explains that notetaking is important for when the information feels overwhelming. Patel also offers time to relax amidst her study sessions.

“Let’s just breathe,” Patel said. “It's not the end of the world.”

Contact Elizabeth Janiak at ESCHNEID@augusta.edu.

At top of page, AU senior, Matthew Gunter, studies late at night in his apartment after his part-time shift at work. (photo by Elizabeth Janiak)