FT job and a PT degree | Do I regret it?
After graduating from my poly, I was very clueless about my future plans. What’s next? I knew I wanted to pursue a degree, my parents strongly wanted me to complete my studies too. My GPA wasn’t good enough to enter the big 3, but I knew I could consider either private unis or part-time degrees at local universities. I’m sure all part-time students can relate to #myPOV . Balancing FT job, studies, family, social life (always beyond grateful for my quality yet low-maintenance friendships) , and squeezing some me-time out has never been easy for the past few years. I am not the best at it, in fact my social life has been extremely low the past 2 years when I realised I actually ‘closed myself up’ to the people around me (unintentionally) while I faced many internal struggles alone.
If you’re facing a similar situation, the following key points could be useful for you on the CHALLENGES and REWARDS of working FT while pursuing a PT degree :)
🌱Passion for work: If you’re like me who has always enjoyed working more than studying because you genuinely love what you do and have found the environment for you to do that, go for it! For me, my motivation stems from the passion for what I can do in my job and learn more practical skills on-the-go with different projects. This felt more realistic than ‘studying theories in school’ and only applying to work few years later after graduation (when the job market is already so fast-paced and changing everyday)
🌱Salary as Secondary: This point may have different opinions from different people in different situations. I was 21 years old back then and for me, I was not primarily motivated to work for the salary, it was the joy in learning and exploring the things I could contribute with my interests that overshadowed my pay check.
🌱Balancing challenges: With dual responsibilities, you will realise it is common to feel drained, there will definitely be times when you doubt yourself and whether to give up. Some of my professors were also really understanding and shared to us that it is never easy having to balance so many things in life haha. At work, there are times when I faced struggles in productivity and focusing due to lack of rest from previous night’s classes / rushing assignments. (Might share more on how I tried to cope with this in my next post)
🌱Academic struggles: I really respect people who are doing well in their work and studies because it really takes a lot of self-discipline. I have struggled to keep up with my individual assignment deadlines and resulted in late submissions (having 10% deductions), auto-withdrawal from 1 or 2 modules because I couldn’t finish them. Barely surviving with my GPA but I am trying to improve on it. I rmb having a breakdown in a study booth trying to finish my assignment, questioning myself why I’m going downhill as I was not like that in poly. Despite the long distance travelling from office to school and school back to home, I would always opt for Face to Face lessons as I have never been a fan of online lessons. (I lost count of the times I dozed off halfway after a long day at work if I had online lessons). BUT physical lessons end at 10, and by the time I reach home it would be 11 when I have my dinner and shower, using my phone to catch up on socials while waiting for my hair to dry, procrastinating on sleep at 1AM because I really wanted more time to myself instead of a “work-study-sleep-repeat” cycle. (Oops, did I mention catching up on other assignment deadlines after lessons too? 😭)
🌱Financial preparedness: Having past savings from previous part-time jobs and previous employment have allowed me to pay for my necessities, personal spending and my uni school fees while I continued to work my new full-time job back then.
🌱On top of it, burnouts are inevitable but I have learnt to improve my self-discipline gradually. Have I regretted my choice to go with a full-time job and studying part-time degree? Nope! Even if I could turn back time, I would still go with this route as I knew I have always been a ‘Work’ over ‘Study’ person. I can’t deny that this experience actually helped me to grow into the person I am proud of today. How about you? 🌱
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Balancing a full-time job while pursuing a part-time degree is a unique challenge that many can relate to. One aspect that deserves emphasis is how managing these dual responsibilities can impact your mental health and social life. Often, you may find yourself unintentionally isolating from friends and family due to exhaustion or the need to focus on work and studies—something I experienced firsthand during intense semesters. Financial preparedness plays a crucial role in this balancing act. Having savings or part-time work experience before starting your full-time job can relieve pressure, allowing you to focus better on your academics and job performance. It’s also essential to set realistic expectations with your professors and employers about your commitments; I found that open communication fostered understanding and flexibility when unforeseen workload spikes occurred. Another practical tip is prioritizing 'me-time' for mental recharge—even short breaks can boost productivity and prevent burnout. Physical lessons, despite travel demands, were a better fit for me compared to online classes, which often led to dozing off after work. Finding a study routine that aligns with your energy levels can help you maintain focus. Finally, remember that it’s natural to face setbacks, such as late assignment submissions or lowered GPAs, but perseverance and self-compassion pave the way for growth. Embracing this path not only enhances practical skills but also cultivates resilience and time management that serve well beyond the classroom and office. If you’re on this journey, know that while the struggles are real, the rewards for personal and professional development are worth it.
