Welcome to Goingto.University, new home of the StudyLink and Coursefindr university course searches. Please update your bookmarks to the new address.
Sign up

Browse our university guidance

Sign up

On this page

Abstract background with overlapping geometric circles in soft beige, yellow and peach tones

Can you work, study and still have a life?

Many international students take part-time jobs to earn extra money for travel, meet new people, improve their English, or build connections for a future career. But is it truly possible to work, study, perform well in your course and still enjoy your life abroad?

What are the secrets to a good work-study-life balance, and can you really fit it all in?

Finding balance

Success begins with setting clear goals and finding a healthy balance between work and leisure. Everyone has 168 hours each week. It sounds like plenty, but when a full-time degree could take up 30 to 40 of those hours, and you still need time to sleep, eat and travel between home, campus and work, your schedule can fill up very quickly.

Research suggests that students who work about 10 to 15 hours a week are usually able to manage both full-time study and employment. Working more than this can become stressful, and your academic performance may begin to suffer. Even if your student visa allows you to work up to 20 hours a week, it is worth thinking carefully about how much you can realistically handle.

Finding the right type of work

First, decide what you want most from a job. If your main goal is to earn money, look for a role that pays reasonably well and offers flexible or part-time hours. Temporary positions during the summer can be ideal. If you already have skills and experience, you might even be able to freelance, for example as a designer or a research assistant.

If you want something less stressful, consider an on-campus job. Office roles at your university can be especially convenient since you will not waste time commuting. You may also feel more comfortable working in a familiar environment.

If you prefer to focus on your studies during the week, weekend work in a café, bar, retail shop or at seasonal events could suit you well. These jobs are not always the highest-paid, yet they often come with other benefits such as discounts and the chance to meet new friends and learn more about the local culture.

You could also explore holiday jobs such as fruit picking or farm work. The work can be physically demanding, but it is a unique way to see another part of the country.

If your main aim is to build industry connections, strengthen your CV and gain hands-on experience, an internship could be ideal. Keep in mind that some internships are unpaid, so consider whether this fits your personal goals.

Six tips to help you fit everything in

  1. Plan your time carefully. Use a single calendar for personal, study and work commitments. Include deadlines and exam dates.
  2. Calculate how long each weekly task needs. Enter all regular activities into your schedule, even the obvious ones.
  3. Leave some space free. Life happens. Research might take longer, public transport might run late, or you might need a medical appointment.
  4. Set a daily study hour. Going to classes and keeping up with small tasks stops them from becoming overwhelming. If you have a spare half hour, do some quick revision rather than scrolling on social media.
  5. Wake up half an hour earlier. It sounds simple, yet it gives you an extra three and a half hours each week.
  6. Create small goals and reward yourself. Celebrate your progress with personal time. Life abroad should be enjoyable, not just busy.

Urgent versus important

If you are starting to realise that not everything will fit into your week, do not panic. Learn to judge each task by its urgency and its importance.

For example, an assignment worth 40 percent of your final grade and due tomorrow is both urgent and important. The same assignment due in four weeks is important but not urgent. Replying to an email might feel urgent, yet it is less important than completing your coursework. Cleaning your room before studying is neither urgent nor important.

Understanding this helps you prioritise. You may even decide that some tasks are not worth doing at all.

Prioritising can be challenging, so be kind to yourself. You are doing your best, and your time abroad is a chance to grow and learn.

Give your most important goals the attention they deserve. After all, the main reason you are studying in another country is to learn, succeed and create opportunities for your future.