Need some serious advice (balancing work and education)

More Than Mortal · January 03, 2015, 08:35:29 AM

First and foremost I posted this in Serious because I'd like it to lead into a more general conversation.

Basically, I have exams next week--one of which is Monday afternoon--and I just don't feel prepared at all. I have the rest of today (it's 2.30pm) to revise and Monday morning, although I won't be getting up that early. And then between Monday and my next exam, all I have is the Tuesday.

If I skipped work tomorrow, and rang in ill, I'd have an extra day to revise and keep myself up to speed with the content I need to know in order to get a decent grade. The thing is, these are "mock" exams--preparations for the real thing later in the year--but my college is still putting a lot of emphasis on them and, basically, if I fuck up it could really throw my education into the shitter; the faculty have been making a lot of noise about doing well, as it apparently determines the rest of our year.

Unfortunately, in terms of work, I'm still on my initial probation--which actually ends tomorrow--and the company reserves the right to terminate my employment for whatever reason. However, I've only ever had one other absence, and the only person who was fired for absences on probation had like 6-8. I'm not entirely sure whether I should take tomorrow off work.

Also, for the more general conversation; is education (at least for people my age 16-18--maybe into the 20s if they attend university) more important than having a job and learning responsibility? And, do you think most places treat young employees unfairly in comparison to adults?

Mordo · January 03, 2015, 09:07:20 AM

Take the day off. Education comes before a part time job you have no desire to enroll into full time.

Of course, this wouldn't have been a problem if you actually studied, but I'm basically the same when it comes to uni.

Statefarm · January 03, 2015, 09:33:48 AM

Unless it's a job you're proud of (it's giving you experience for the job you want or it is the job you want) then I'd take the day off.

Employers love real world experience. Either way I don't think one day would matter.

Kinder Graham · January 03, 2015, 12:53:07 PM

Your education is more important than your job, especially one were you push carts into a store or whatever you do. And you're not going to spend your whole life doing that kind of work as you will get a degree and move from having a job to having a career. I basically gave my employer the middle finger by going in and quitting without giving a two weeks notice because school was far more important than having to organize cars at a dealership the whole day

Mad Max · January 03, 2015, 01:09:49 PM

Honestly, most employers are really understanding of school schedules. Don't call out sick, just call your manager and explain the situation.

Magos Domina · January 03, 2015, 01:14:43 PM

Your education is more important in the long run. If your employer is understanding then you've got nothing to worry about, and if not well I'm sure you can still get a reference from them for the next job.

Magos Domina · January 03, 2015, 01:16:07 PM

Quote from: Mad Max on January 03, 2015, 01:09:49 PM

Honestly, most employers are really understanding of school schedules. Don't call out sick, just call your manager and explain the situation.

Ehh from experience supermarkets are absolute cunts when it comes to school schedules.

big dog · January 03, 2015, 01:38:23 PM

lmao I have my mock exams the week after you do, I feel sorry for you.

I advise you to take the day off.

I would say at 16-18 education is more important than the part-time job you have. Sure, a part time job is important but generally you're not going to want to pursue that in the future. That education will lead you onto a degree and (hopefully) a career path that you actually want to do for the rest of your life. So yeah, your exams are more important.

I've been working for a year and a quarter at a restaurant, and I haven't really been mistreated or anything as a young employee. The people there seem to treat me as equals, even if my pay may be shit (started off on £4, went up to around £5.13 when I turned 18 so basically minimum wage) but they haven't fucked me around or anything. Can't say the same for other places though, not sure what they're like as this is my first job still.

The Lord Slide Rule · January 03, 2015, 03:26:40 PM

I made it a general rule that my expensive education should always come before some shitty part time job I probably hate.