When the bell rings at the end of the day, many students consider their day over, but for some students, it marks the beginning of their shift. Whether they are making coffee, taking care of kids, or watching over the pool, teens at Richard Montgomery are managing part-time jobs while keeping up with their homework, studying, and extracurriculars.
Working while in school can teach responsibility, time management, and independence, but it also comes with challenges. Students often have to carefully plan their schedules to make sure their grades don’t fall behind.
Junior Aviva Peck, working as a pool operator, kids swim coach, and Sunday school assistant teacher, experiences a fast-paced environment that demands focus and energy. Long shifts, especially on weekends, can make it difficult to stay caught up with work. “I learned how to manage my time better by making a planned-out schedule and enforcing better habits for myself,” Peck said.
For Peck, the schedule becomes even more demanding in the spring, when her pool-operator job begins and continues through the summer. In addition, she teaches children to swim at Georgetown Prep and helps out at her Synagogue on Sundays year-round. This time of the year can also be seen as one of the most difficult in regard to school because it is exam season. Peck also prioritizes her climbing hobby, which is very prominent in her life. Managing all these commitments simultaneously requires careful planning and strong dedication.
Sophomore Rafaela Lagos, who works as a babysitter on the weekends, experiences struggles with keeping up with schoolwork. Long hours spent caring for younger children often leave little time or energy for assignments. “Sometimes I get home really late and still have a lot of homework to do, so it can be stressful trying to finish everything,” Lagos said.
As deadlines begin to pile up, balancing these responsibilities can become overwhelming. Still, like many working students, Lagos is learning how to prioritize tasks and stay organized despite the challenges.
Senior Caroline Mack, a barista at Neighbors Coffee, works 9-5 shifts on weekends and occasionally during the week. As a dual enrollment student attending Montgomery College, her schedule is especially demanding. Despite this, she still believes that having a job is worthwhile. “I’m trying to be able to find time for myself, and it’s good to have all of this experience,” Mack said. Working provides her with savings for the future, real-world experience, and money to spend. It helps to develop skills like communication, responsibility and problem-solving.
