Balancing work and life among students

The importance of work-life balance has been gaining ground in recent years to capture a wider range of groups, including students combining full-time study with part-time employment. Finding a balance can be complex and challenging for many individuals and students. This dissertation has explored how undergraduate students balance the competing demands of work, study, and social activities. A mixed methods research design was employed using quantitative balance wheel surveys and qualitative interviews and focus group. The results showed that the small sample of students had difficulties when balancing the multiple demands of work, study, and social activities. Adverse effects of this imbalance were found in the form of missed lectures, health problems, increased stress, and lack of sleep. Nevertheless, students highlighted the benefits of working that included acquiring relevant skills, polishing CV’s, and becoming immersed in the New Zealand culture. Students’ in the study acknowledged it was not the responsibility of the university to monitor part-time employment. There were calls for a greater understanding of the financial situation university students’ face in today’s society