A survey of 200 students at several universities and colleges showed that about 80% of students have or are working part-time during their studies. Of these, 50% work part-time at cafes, convenience stores, etc., while 30% take on freelance jobs such as tutoring, sales associates, or working online.

This data shows that the trend of students working part-time is becoming more and more popular. One of the main reasons is said to be the rising cost of living, creating financial pressure forcing many students to look for part-time jobs to earn extra income to cover their living expenses.

When part-time jobs become "time thieves" for students

Due to her family's economic difficulties, Thu An, a third-year student at a university in Ho Chi Minh City, has been working the night shift at a convenience store since her second year, even though the salary was only 25,000 VND/hour. "My father used to be a construction worker but unfortunately had an accident at work and lost the ability to walk. My mother has a heart disease, and although she is in poor health, she still sells groceries to cover the family's living expenses and take care of her younger sister, who is in 4th grade. I go to work to pay for my education and ease the burden on my mother," An confided.

Working from 10pm to 6am the next morning and then taking a few hours to sleep before going to school, An gradually felt tired, exhausted and unable to concentrate on her lessons. As a result, in the final exam, An failed 5/10 important subjects and had to retake the course the following semester. The female student also often had headaches, insomnia and prolonged stress.

Currently, Thu An has quit her job at the convenience store to focus on completing the previously failed credits and taking extra classes to catch up with her classmates.

Not only students from difficult circumstances, many well-off students also choose to work part-time because they want to gain experience.

Not in the same economic difficulty, Ngoc Minh, a third-year student majoring in Marketing at a college in Hanoi , chose to work part-time to be more active, gain exposure to the market, and have a small amount of money to buy what he wants without having to ask his parents for money.

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Ngoc Minh, a third-year student majoring in Marketing in Hanoi. Photo: Nguyet Ha

Minh said that his parents own a small breakfast shop in Hai Duong , and the family's finances are quite decent. Since his first year, Minh started working part-time at a company specializing in marketing. Going to work, Minh found that he had many useful experiences, from planning, running advertising campaigns to meeting many partners... and had a decent income, so he was very excited.

"Every month I receive a salary of 9 million VND, not including sales bonuses, so I can buy anything comfortably without having to ask my parents for money. This is also a way to show independence, and an important stepping stone in the process of accumulating experience for personal development, so I just jumped in," Minh shared.

However, the workload increased, and there were times when the company required Minh to work 8 hours a day, even working late. Over time, Minh was caught up in the cycle of work and had almost no time left for studying.

As a result, after 3 years of studying, Minh still cannot graduate on time because he has to retake 5 basic subjects and 6 specialized subjects. The study program may have to be extended by 1 year compared to the expected time.

"I feel regretful for focusing too much on making money and forgetting about studying. Now that my peers have graduated and have their own lives, I am still struggling with the knowledge and subjects I have not completed," Minh shared.

How to balance between study and work?

According to Master Vuong Doan Duc, lecturer at the Academy of Journalism and Communication, most colleges and universities today, such as Hanoi University of Science and Technology, National Economics University, etc., have implemented career guidance and job counseling programs for students, helping them to clearly define their goals and choose suitable jobs.

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After school hours, students take advantage of part-time jobs to earn extra income. Photo: Nguyet Ha

“Working part-time is a good thing if students know how to arrange it properly, because work not only brings income but also helps to practice skills and accumulate life experience. However, no matter what, studying must still be put first. University time is a precious period - if you miss it, it will be very difficult to get back,” Mr. Duc emphasized.

According to him, schools play an important role in guiding and accompanying students so that they understand that earning money is necessary, but knowledge, degrees and professional skills are sustainable provisions for the future. If they work too much, students can get tired, neglect their studies and miss out on good opportunities.

For students, it is important to know how to manage time effectively, take care of your health and set limits for yourself. “Maintaining a balance not only helps you study well but also trains life skills and discipline - important qualities when entering life. Don't let part-time work become a 'trap' that makes your studies - and your future - neglected,” the lecturer recommended.

* The names of the students in this article have been changed to ensure privacy.

Source: https://vietnamnet.vn/chiec-bay-lam-them-khi-sinh-vien-danh-doi-giac-ngu-diem-so-de-muu-sinh-2457220.html