More Than a University
The eighth edition of the EUROSTUDENT report reveals a clear trend – employment during studies has become a permanent part of academic life in Poland. Nearly 60 percent of respondents admitted to working during the academic year. Students are increasingly interested in forms of employment that go beyond casual jobs – many deliberately seek positions that not only provide experience but also help build long-term professional relationships before graduation. The reasons for taking up work are becoming more diverse. An additional source of income is no longer the only motivation – many young people view professional activity as a way to thoroughly prepare for functioning in a specific industry. This attitude aligns with the expectations of today's employers, who are looking for individuals combining theoretical knowledge with practical insight and the ability to navigate a professional environment effectively.
How Are Universities Supporting Working Students?
Universities are paying closer attention to how students' everyday realities are changing and adapting their programs to meet the expectations of those who need more flexibility. In addition to traditional weekday classes, many institutions offer the same educational tracks in part-time formats. Weekend classes held on Saturdays and Sundays enable students to combine learning with work, which is why this model is most often chosen by those already employed or balancing their studies with other commitments. This solution allows intellectual development without putting other areas of life – both private and professional – on hold.
Full-Time and Part-Time Studies Under the Microscope
Class Schedule Full-time students attend classes distributed evenly throughout the week. In contrast, part-time students follow an intensive program during weekend sessions, typically held every other week.
Self-Study Part-time learning requires greater engagement in self-study between sessions. This means a significant portion of material must be mastered independently. Full-time students are offered more opportunities to study under the guidance of lecturers.
Student Profile Part-time education mainly attracts people who are already working and want to develop within their current profession or plan a career change. Full-time students are more likely to treat education as their primary activity and focus on it fully.
Participation in University Life Full-time students are more likely to engage in academic community activities. They often participate in student government, research groups, and university events. For part-time students, professional obligations and limited free time can be obstacles to similar involvement.
Weekend-format studies work well for those who want to work and develop academic competencies simultaneously. This format allows for immediate application of theoretical knowledge in real-life work situations, making classroom topics more practical. Daily professional experience encourages asking insightful questions and developing analytical skills. As a result, it becomes easier to recognize industry-specific mechanisms, which translate to greater confidence in action and better preparation for market realities.
How to Meet the Challenges of the Future?
Combining academic obligations with professional work is becoming one of the most effective ways to develop soft skills and abilities related to planning, organization, and time management. Navigating between school and the workplace, young people learn flexibility and how to respond quickly to changing conditions. This experience also enhances communication skills – both formal and interpersonal. Those who regularly switch between two environments learn to read others' intentions faster, adjust their speaking style to the situation, and clearly present their point of view.
Direct exposure to professional requirements also facilitates the practical application of knowledge acquired in lectures. Confronting theory with everyday work tasks teaches individuals to view problems from different perspectives, strengthens analytical thinking, and stimulates creative approaches. Students who gain professional experience during their studies absorb new information faster, are more open to change, and handle time pressure and unexpected challenges more efficiently. These skills, increasingly referred to as future competencies, are valued across all industries and often determine how positively young candidates are perceived by future employers.
Building Internal Awareness
Entering the rhythm of daily work gives you the opportunity to confront real employer expectations and tasks grounded in specific contexts. This makes it easier to understand which skills matter most in a given professional environment. By observing more experienced colleagues, engaging in joint projects, and regularly interacting with mentors or team leaders, you start to see yourself from a new perspective. Over time, you will notice which tasks come naturally to you, which areas bring you satisfaction, and which still need improvement and practice. This insight allows you to create a much more complete picture of your capabilities than what is reflected in academic grades or social media profiles.
Identifying skill gaps early gives you time to prepare for future professional challenges and catch up before deficiencies become obstacles. Imagine a management student who, during an internship at a transport company, realizes that although they analyze workflows and schedules very well, they struggle with using the industry’s advanced software. Or a graphic design student working on a visual identity for a nonprofit who discovers they need more experience preparing print materials. These types of experiences allow you to respond quickly – by enrolling in a course, finding a mentor, or completing a personal project to gain practice. Each of these initiatives not only strengthens your competencies but also shows future employers that you can identify your needs and are not afraid to take on new challenges.
How to Manage Studies and Work Without Burnout?
Combining studies with professional work is a bold choice that brings advantages, but also numerous challenges. Those pursuing this lifestyle face daily pressure to juggle exams, employer expectations, and personal or social needs. Maintaining balance in such a setup requires efficient time management, readiness to adapt quickly, and mental resilience to stress. These qualities are essential when each day resembles a complex logistical puzzle with many parallel responsibilities.
Routine, Consistency, Perseverance
Balancing academic duties with professional work is a high-pressure lifestyle that constantly tests planning skills and stress tolerance. This setup demands ongoing role-switching and responding to changing situations without the luxury of downtime. Navigating numerous tasks successfully requires more than just awareness of what is urgent – consistency and the ability to impose a structured rhythm on your day are also crucial. Without a clear daily structure and internal order, it is easy to become overwhelmed, lose focus, and miss deadlines.
Good time management begins with defining a clear daily framework that includes all fixed activities – classes, work hours, study time, commuting, breaks, and personal matters. Helpful tools include mobile planning apps as well as traditional paper planners or notebooks. When setting priorities, it is useful to assign different weights to tasks – not all require immediate attention. The Eisenhower Matrix is a helpful tool for separating truly urgent and important matters from those that can be postponed or delegated. This approach makes it easier to focus on tasks that truly deserve your full attention at a given moment.
Time Management
A student’s schedule, combining academic and professional duties, is often packed from morning until night. This intense lifestyle requires not only precise time management but also a thoughtful approach to commuting. Choosing the right mode of transport depends on the distance between home, university, and workplace, as well as traffic conditions. Bicycles work well for short distances and good weather, while cars are better for longer commutes. Transportation choice affects not only commute duration but also what items you can carry with you. Car users benefit from the convenience of storing some items in the trunk. In contrast, students who walk or use public transport must ensure all essentials fit in one bag or backpack.
Students balancing work and study choose different types of bags – from backpacks and shoulder bags to more formal models. The choice depends not only on personal style preferences but primarily on mobility and the contents needed each day. Laptop bags are popular for those who need spacious and comfortable solutions to carry computers, documents, chargers, meals, or headphones. Backpacks are often chosen by those covering long distances on foot or by bike – they offer comfort and better weight distribution. Those who commute by car often prefer smaller, more elegant bags that are easier to store and match a city style.
Clothing That Meets Your Needs
In the daily life of a student juggling school and work, clothing plays a more important role than one might think. It is not just about appearance but also comfort, practicality, and readiness to switch quickly between tasks. A smart-casual wardrobe is particularly useful in this multifaceted reality. Classic, well-fitted jeans or chinos, a simple shirt, and a cardigan or blazer work equally well for morning classes and afternoon business meetings.
Shoes are especially important – they must be comfortable throughout long, active days and also look neat and professional enough for work settings. The right outfit helps reduce stress related to uncertainty, boosts confidence, and improves focus – whether you're working remotely, attending university classes, or meeting in the office.
Body Overload – Learn When to Slow Down
The fast-paced lifestyle typical of students balancing study and work can lead to overload. This may result in decreased engagement and energy in both academic and professional spheres. Constant rushing, lack of sleep, and pressure for results can cause physical and mental exhaustion. In such an intense routine, the ability to recharge daily becomes crucial. Well-balanced meals, regular physical activity, relaxation moments, and effective stress management techniques help reduce the risk of burnout. Combining effort with moments of rest not only improves well-being but is also essential for long-term effectiveness and resilience.
If you notice growing discouragement, difficulty concentrating, or signs of overload, don’t ignore them. These are clear signals that your body needs a change of pace. Proper reaction at this stage can help you avoid serious consequences and return to full strength without drastic measures.
Summary
Although combining work and study can be challenging, many people who take on this dual responsibility agree that the skills developed during this period are invaluable. Professional engagement during studies is more than just gaining knowledge or experience – it is an intensive time of personal development, building independence, and discovering your future career path. This experience teaches responsible decision-making, strengthens autonomy, and builds resilience – qualities shaped not only in university classrooms but most of all through action.
Sources:
EUROSTUDENT 8 report, German Centre for Higher Education Research and Science Studies
What You Need to Know About Studying in Poland? – Mapa Karier
Developing Your Time Management Skills | Choose Work!
CCC
Combining work with study? Here is how to stay efficient – EURES (EURopean Employment Services)
Article prepared in cooperation with a partner of the service.
Author: Joanna Ważny
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