Work-Study Balance

Achieving balance between school and work schedules is a challenge for an increasing number of young people. The network of regional consulting authorities, known as Réseau des instances de concertation régionales, to which the Regroupement lavallois pour la réussite éducative (RLPRÉ) belongs, has developed the following tools for students and counselors : 

• Savoir concilier études et travail (French only)
• Je concilie.com – (French only) an online questionnaire which helps the youth evaluate his or her needs in terms of schooling, work and health. It provides recommendations and advice to help establish a healthy work and study balance, allowing for educational success. The guide d’accompagnement is designed for counselors who wish to better understand the web based tool and help the youth achieve school perseverance by balancing work, school and a personal life.

Working while studying can be beneficial in many ways. Young people can learn a lot about themselves through part-time employment, gain skills, learn autonomy and responsibility. However, a delicate balance must be achieved between the demands of school and work if one is to reap the rewards of work without it being detrimental to his or her studies. A job that is too demanding may affect a student’s grades, motivation and, consequently, his or her commitment to school.

Recent studies indicate that achieving work-study balance does not only depend on limiting the number of work hours. It is also important to consider the following factors :

• the student’s age
• the level of education (secondary, college, university)
• the time of the year (mid-term, spring break, etc.)
• the type of job
• the constraints related to the job (physical, emotional, odd schedule, etc.)