By: Genielle Snow (Whetstone Contributor)

Students who wonder if they can work at a job and get good grades should talk to Evita Wade.

Wade is an orientation leader, resident assistant, member of the student activity board, P.U.L.S.E. mentor, vice president of international student association, resident director, a graduate assistant and was crowned Miss Wesley last spring.

All of those activities have had a positive effect on her.

“Stay on top of things, stay organized, and look ahead to goals,” Wade said.

Some students deal with the stress of jobs and school by making sure work doesn’t outweigh the importance of classes

“I wouldn’t say it affects my grades,” said Aaron Anderson, a server at Golden Corral and a Wesley student. “It is more of a stress trying to balance out both things and it is very tiresome.”

Anderson’s advice echoes Wade’s.

“Stay on top of things – or at least try to,” he said.

While taking 24 credits, Wade dedicated equal attention to all the activities, she said, and stayed on top of her studies.

“Everything worked out,” she said.

Last year, junior Mark Oldenburgh II worked for Amarak at the Wolverine Stop for 37.5 hours a week.

“Grades first, then get motivated,” Oldenburgh said.

His advice to students working and taking classes is to remain motivated.

Take homework with you, do not cram, and make personal time are some of the tips Alina Dizik, from degreedriven.com, suggest. When you are on a break or when there is a slow period at work do homework. Do not cram or procrastinate. Start early on big projects and do not cram the night before. Make time for yourself, to hang out with friends or to exercise; those are great stress relievers. Put all activities and deadlines on one calendar. It helps you to stay organized and manage time.

Do not waste time thinking about when or how the task is going to get done; just do it. Students should always ask for help if they need it. If doing homework by their selves is a challenge students should ask a classmate or tutor to help.