Aristotle once stated, “Pleasure in the job puts perfection in the work”. Many students at Seattle Prep would agree with this statement due to holding a job during the school year. Those who balance work and homework must learn how to manage their time and prioritize their activities. Most students, when asked if they are currently working, answered that they are not currently working but had a job over the summer. This is very common among students, especially those at Seattle Prep who must complete their rigorous classes. However, a few brave souls are continuing to hold a job during the school year. Among others, senior Alexis Losse discusses her experience while working at Starbucks in Carillon Point in Kirkland: “I enjoy working. However, it can be very stressful trying to balance school, family and friends.”
She appreciates the work experience and loves the feeling of earning her own money. Losse plans on working through the summer of her senior year but due to the extra stress it adds to her life, often wonders if she should quit now. This debate is common among students who work during the school year because they feel like they have to make a choice between having a social life and earning money. These thoughts often lead to overbooking oneself in the attempt to maintain a social life and uphold a job. With an already limited amount of time given in a day, how can one make the most out of it?

The most common situations for students that are working during the school year include exclusively working on the weekends or simply waiting to resume working once the holiday season for those who worked in retail over the summer. Senior Yonas Habte works at the West Seattle Taco Time on most Fridays and Saturdays. Habte sincerely enjoys working there because he gets to work with long-time friends and they have the ability to goof around when it’s busy. He plans on working at Taco Time until the school year ends. When asked about how the environment is, Habte answered, “It can be very stressful trying to deal with people, especially when they get ‘hangry.'”

The most important thing to remember when considering whether or not to have a job during the school year is to figure out the priorities in life. With such difficult classes and the lengthy workload that accompanies them, school should most likely be a top priority. Many students also have after school activities that may seem of greater importance than working. And some students are already getting paid to complete work study hours through Prep. All options are perfectly acceptable and should be treated with the utmost attention. Working should be challenging but rewarding. As Aristotle stated, once someone begins to enjoy their job, the easier it is to perfect their obligations.