Hours on Hours: Students Balance Work and School by Madison Davis
Many high school seniors balanced school while working part time jobs. William Dixon lll and Kegan MacDonald were both seniors who worked while completing their school responsibilities. Dixon worked at El Car Wash, while Macdonald worked at a mechanic shop. Both students said working during high school helped them learn responsibility and manage their time. Their experiences showed how students handled school while holding jobs.
William Dixon lll had been working for about six months and completed school through FLVS, which helped reduce stress. “FLVS had a good impact, it’s less stressful and allows me to have more free time,” Dixon said. He usually stayed at work until around 9:00p.m. But explained that balancing school and work never became overwhelming. Dixon said, “it never gets to much, I barely go to school and I barely work, and I never get stressed,” and added that he worked to pay for his car and personal needs.
Kegan Macdonald started working at age 15 and had been at his current job for seven months. He usually worked until 9:00p.m. And said his job affected his sleep schedule. “I have less time to work, it affects my sleep schedule, but it doesn’t affect my grades,” Macdonald said. He explained that balancing school and work could be stressful, adding, “it puts everything after school, but it’s easier if I was on FLVS,” and said he worked for fun and extra money.
Caption: Balancing work and school: William Dixon lll works at El Car Wash as he washes vehicles and sends them through the car wash. He balances his job and school while completing his classes through FLVS. Dixon works long hours during the school year to earn money for his car and personal expenses. He said, “Working while in school helps me manage my time and responsibilities”. Photo by Madison Davis