Living a Double Life: How Today’s students Are Balancing University and Part-Time Work

By Eve Walker

With lectures stacked back-to-back and the library being embedded into daily routine, today’s students are mastering a lifestyle that often feels like living two lives simultaneously. University is no longer just about seminars and assignments; it’s about shift patterns and rota swaps in conjunction with squeezing in coursework between clock-ins. For many, a student loan simply doesn’t stretch far enough. Rent, bills and the weekly food shop quickly swallow the bulk of it- and that’s before factoring in a social life. Nights out at Limelight, Kremlin or the local Spoons don’t fund themselves!

Across Northern Ireland, the rise in students taking on part-time work is a result of growing financial pressure. Noted in a BBC article, Data from the Department of the Economy showed that 13,000 students aged 16 and older were working part-time in 2012. By 2022, this figure had jumped exponentially to 22,000 [1]. Behind those statistics are thousands of students finishing shifts at 9 pm, grabbing a Boojum on the way home, and reopening their laptops by 10 pm to complete readings or finish assignments. The schedule is relentless and, for many, normalised. Rising living costs, increased rent prices for a subpar HMO, and stagnant maintenance loans mean students must supplement their income. A job in retail, hospitality, or customer service provides not only financial stability but also a safety net for unexpected expenses.

However, the challenge lies in maintaining equilibrium. Burnout looms as a very real threat. Juggling coursework deadlines with shift schedules can leave little room for rest. Weekdays are typically reserved for lectures and independent study, while evenings are spent working. Weekends, theoretically a time to recharge, are often the busiest work periods. The cycle can be exhausting.

In Northern Ireland specifically, another layer adds complexity- the commute home. Many students travel back to their hometowns at the weekends. This is often driven by two motivations- a longing for home comforts and the opportunity to continue a weekend job. For some, maintaining employment closer to home offers higher hourly pay or more flexible hours than city-centre roles. For others, it’s about reducing bill costs by spending fewer nights in the student house. Yet travelling back and forth every week can be draining, turning Sundays into long train or bus journeys instead of genuine rest days. A student from Queen’s explained that he regularly travels back to Derry each weekend to continue working at his part-time job. He said that returning home at the weekends was “the done thing,” regardless of employment commitments. During the interview, he also noted that the prospect of finding a new job brings unwanted “nerves and anxiety.”

International students face an additional balancing act. Adjusting to a new country and educational system while adhering to visa restrictions on working hours presents unique pressure. Many are limited in how many hours they can legally work during term time (no more than 20 hours per week according to NIDirect) [2], yet still face the same financial demands as domestic students. For them, managing time efficiently becomes even more critical, as the margin for error is slim.

Recognising these pressures, Queen’s University Belfast has introduced initiatives to support students struggling financially. The Pantry, located in the Students’ Union, allows students to collect essential groceries and hygiene products free of charge. From pasta and cereal to toiletries, the service, represented by Union President Amy Smith, offers practical relief during financially tight periods- particularly around exam season when work hours may need to be reduced to prioritise revision. Additionally, Queen’s student finance department provides bursary schemes such as the Student Support Fund, offering varying amounts to eligible students. While not a complete solution, these measures help ease immediate strain from the financial realities students face.

Despite the pressures, part-time employment is not without its benefits. Beyond financial necessity, working during university builds transferable skills: communication, teamwork, time management and resilience. Employers consistently value candidates who demonstrate the ability to balance responsibility with academic performance.

Ultimately, the modern student experience is defined by adaptability. It is about more than earning a degree: it is about learning to navigate competing priorities. Today’s students are learning to function under pressure, to schedule meticulously, and to sacrifice downtime in pursuit of stability.

Yet the question remains: at what cost? While balancing work and study builds resilience, the risk of burnout and mental fatigue cannot be ignored. Universities and policymakers must continue to explore ways to alleviate financial pressure, ensuring thatstudents can thrive academically without compromising their well-being. For now, students continue to live their double lives- swapping lecture halls for shop floors, essays for espresso machines- mastering the rhythm that defines a generation.

References:

[1] Allen, Bernadette. 2023. “More Northern Ireland Students Taking on Part-Time Work.” BBC News, August 28, 2023. https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-northern-ireland-66597965.

[2] “Working in Northern Ireland | Nidirect.” 2015. http://Www.nidirect.gov.uk. October 29, 2015. https://www.nidirect.gov.uk/articles/working-northern-ireland.