Balancing Book and Bookings: Tips for Working Part-Time While Studying Full Time
By Library Student Partner, Shuangting Chen
If you’re reading this, chances are you’re either thinking about taking on a part-time job during university or you’ve already jumped in and are now juggling timetables and timesheets. First of all – go you. Managing both is no small feat, and from one student to another, I can tell you: it’s absolutely doable with the right mindset, a bit of planning, and a good sense of humour. Shuangting is here to share her tips on how to manage it all.
As someone currently working as a Library Student Partner while studying full-time, I’ve learned a few things (sometimes the hard way) about how to keep both my deadlines and dignity intact. So here are my tried-and-tested tips for making it all work, and maybe even enjoying the ride.
1. Treat your calendar like it's sacred
Honestly, my calendar deserves a raise. When you’re managing lectures, seminars, readings and part-time work shifts, keeping everything in your head is a recipe for chaos. I block out not only work hours and classes, but also travel time, meals, and even breaks (yes, Snack & Scroll is a recurring event in my week).
"Boundaries are not just adulting, they are survival skills."
Pro tip: colour code your calendar. I use blue for classes, green for work, red for deadlines, and yellow for joy (aka brunch or naps). This helps me spot when I’m overcommitting… or when my calendar is suspiciously red.
2. Communicate early, communicate often
One of the things I really appreciate about my role as a Library Student Partner is that the team genuinely gets that we’re students first.
But they’re not mind readers. If you’ve got a big essay looming or a last-minute schedule change, let your line manager know as early as possible. People are generally understanding – as long as you don’t ghost them before a shift.
Similarly, be proactive about setting your availability. At the start of term, I sit down and think about my academic peaks (assignment weeks, exam season) and plan work shifts around them. It’s all about being realistic with your energy.
3. Learn to say no (Politely!)
This one’s tough, especially if you’re a people-pleaser like me. When someone asks, “Can you cover this shift?” or “Do you want to help with this extra event?”, the instinct is to say yes – even if you’re already running on three cups of coffee and pure adrenaline.
"...my calendar deserves a raise."
But here’s the thing: burnout helps no one. Not you, not your team, and definitely not your essays. So, give yourself permission to say, “I’d love to help, but I need to focus on my studies right now.” Boundaries are not just adulting; they are survival skills.
4. Find the hidden benefits
Yes, having a job means extra money (goodbye instant noodles, hello actual groceries). But beyond the financial gain, working part-time, especially in a role like mine, has brought unexpected benefits.
As a Library Student Partner, I’ve developed skills I didn’t even know I needed: event planning, public speaking, and above all, teamwork. But one of my proudest (and most unexpected) moments? Posing as a model for the library’s promotional campaign. Seeing my own face pop up on the official Instagram account, or even on digital screens across campus, was surreal. Definitely a “wait, is that me?” kind of moment.
Plus, being part of the library team makes me feel more connected to campus. I’ve met staff and students I never would have otherwise, and it’s given me a real sense of belonging in a space that can sometimes feel overwhelming.
5. Embrace the chaos (Just a little)
There will be weeks when everything clashes. A shift runs late, your seminar reading is 80 pages long, and your group chat is blowing up with birthday dinner plans. You might feel like you’re failing at everything.
You’re not.
Being a student and a worker isn’t about being perfect, it’s about showing up, learning to prioritise, and being kind to yourself when things go sideways. If I’ve learned anything, it’s that flexibility is just as important as organisation. And that sometimes, the most productive thing you can do is take a deep breath and go for a walk (or a nap).
Working while studying isn’t always easy, but it can be incredibly rewarding. It’s taught me how to manage my time, speak up for myself, and find confidence in my abilities outside the classroom. If you're thinking about taking on a part-time role, whether in the library, a café, or somewhere else on campus, go for it! Just remember: your degree is important, but so is your wellbeing.
And hey, if you ever find yourself lost in the library, come say hi. I might be the one behind the desk… colour-coded calendar and all.
Have you seen these other wellbeing tips and tricks?
How the Library can Accommodate Your Needs as a Disabled Student
By Library Student Partner, Charlene Chan
The Library is incredibly dedicated to accessibility, with an Accessibility Specialist and disabled students’ feedback being directly involved in the running and creation of accommodations for different needs. Charlene is sharing some ways that the Library can accommodate your needs as a disabled student.
Navigating University as a Disabled Student
By Library Student Partner, Charlene Chan
University life can be tricky to navigate, especially for disabled students who may face challenges and experiences that aren’t always addressed. This toolkit is compiled from the lived experiences of fellow disabled students and Charlene, along with advice from Library Accessibility Specialist Hannah Marshall, to provide some tips for accessing support at university, studying, and finding community.
Tips on Looking After Your Wellbeing When Assessments Start Looming
By Library Student Partner, Laura van Diesen
There are pot noodles on your desk, an extra strong coffee, and three textbooks open at different chapters. It’s time for assessments! Assessments are notoriously the time of year where any wellbeing habits you have formed start slipping away. Sleeping and even eating schedules often become a lot less regular in the face of looming deadlines, but this is unfortunately the perfect recipe for your stress levels to skyrocket. Here are Laura’s tips to maintaining wellbeing during assessments.
Finding the Sweet Spot: Balancing Uni Social Life and Studies Without Losing Your Mind
By Library Student Partner, Shuangting Chen
University is often described as “the best time of your life”, and while that can mean exciting lectures, career opportunities, and academic discovery, let’s be honest… it also means late-night chats, spontaneous day trips, society events, and yes, dancing to questionable playlists at the SU. But how do you enjoy the social side of university without your studies quietly slipping into a state of chaos? Shuangting shares how she manages!
Top Tips for Finding Students to Study With at University
By Library Student Partner, Juanmo Xu
Studying at university can sometimes feel like a solo mission—but it doesn’t have to be. Whether you’re preparing for exams, tackling a dissertation, or just trying to stay motivated, having study partners can make a huge difference. Here are some top tips from Juanmo for finding (and keeping!) the right people to study with.
How to Keep a Good Work/Life Balance at University
By Library Student Partner, Laura van Diesen
Many students say that when they try to prioritize their life and wellbeing, it feels like work is being sacrificed, and vice-versa. This is the challenge of a work/life balance: it is a seesaw that you continuously have to adjust. This continuous adjustment is key to its maintenance, however. It is challenging to reach a good balance without checking in with yourself and seeing what is and isn’t working. Here are some of Laura’s tips on making sure you have time for both leisure and study at university.
How to Handle the Transition of International Study to University Study
By Library Student Partner, Shuangting Chen
Moving to a new country to study is not just about switching classrooms; it’s about switching entire systems of thinking, speaking, learning, and sometimes, even eating dinner at 5:30 p.m.
Fortunately, you’re not alone and Shuangting is here to share their tips on how to handle the transition.
Balancing Book and Bookings: Tips for Working Part-Time While Studying Full Time
By Library Student Partner, Shuangting Chen
If you’re reading this, chances are you’re either thinking about taking on a part-time job during university or you’ve already jumped in and are now juggling timetables and timesheets. First of all – go you. Managing both is no small feat, and from one student to another, I can tell you: it’s absolutely doable with the right mindset, a bit of planning, and a good sense of humour. Shuangting is here to share her tips on how to manage it all.
How To Manage Your Time At University To Avoid Burnout
By Library Student Partner, Juanmo Xu
University life is, and yet isn’t, just about study. It’s also about societies, socials, SU events, invited lectures that sound just interesting enough to say yes to, and a dozen other “this might look good on my CV” commitments. It’s exciting. It’s chaotic. And, if you’re not careful, it can pile up fast. Before it all becomes too much, Juanmo Xu is here with some tips on how to avoid burnout.
Keeping Momentum as a PG in the Summer Vacation Period
By Library Student Partner, Juanmo Xu
Let’s face it - summer is strange as a postgrad. The undergrads have packed up and left, campus events have slowed down, and the pace around you might feel more like a Sunday afternoon than a working week. But for postgraduates, it’s not a break. Whether you’re a PGT wrestling with your dissertation or a PGR continuing your research (unless you’re on well-earned annual leave!), the work doesn’t stop - though the structure might. Here’s Juanmo Xu’s tips for keeping up the momentum in the summer.