For many high school students, working a job after school is more than just a paycheck. It can mean saving for college, paying for personal expenses, or gaining early work experience. However, finding the right balance between school and employment has become a pressing concern for both students and teachers.
A survey of 48 high school students revealed just how many hours teens are dedicating to their jobs each week—and how that may affect their academic performance.The data shows that most students are working close to part-time hours.
The largest group—15 out of 48 students—reported working between 20 and 25 hours per week. Another 12 students said they worked 15 to 20 hours, while 11 students reported spending 25 to 30 hours on the job. At the lower end, 5 students worked between 10 and 15 hours. On the higher end, 3 students worked 30 to 35 hours, and 2 reported working 35 to 40 hours, nearly equivalent to a full-time schedule.
While these numbers reflect dedication and responsibility, they also raise questions about whether so much time at work takes away from academics.
“When prioritizing my job over schoolwork I tend to overlook my studying time,” said senior Jaslene Sanchez.
Her words echo the struggle many students face when long shifts cut into time that could be used for homework, projects, or studying for tests.
Senior Issabella Edwards agreed, pointing out that jobs often compete directly with school priorities.
“Their [students] focus is getting taken away from academics,” she said, underlining the risk that working teens may not be able to give their best effort in the classroom.
The challenges extend beyond time management to include the physical toll of balancing both responsibilities.
Senior Madelyn Klingenberger said, “The main challenge is just making sure I do assignments ahead of time so that I don’t have to worry about them after work. Another thing is that I’m more tired at school after coming home late from work.”
For students like her, the effects of long shifts can carry into the next day, leaving them less engaged and alert in class. Yet, despite these struggles, students also share advice for handling the workload.
“Make sure you don’t overwork yourself and get good at managing time,” said Senior Olivia Wedler.
Her comment reflects the reality that strong organization and self-discipline are often the only ways to juggle both school and work effectively.
The survey highlights an important lesson: while jobs can teach responsibility and prepare students for life beyond high school, the trade-off often comes in lost study time, reduced focus, and fatigue. For most students, working 15 to 25 hours a week is common, but even that can be enough to impact academic performance if time isn’t managed carefully.
In the end, the balancing act is about more than just hours. It’s about priorities.
High school students are learning that managing both work and academics requires careful planning, strong discipline, and an awareness of personal limits. Jobs may be temporary, but the education they receive now will shape their futures.
