Laura Redpath and Keisha Shakespeare-Blackmore, Freelance Reporters

Traci Anne Callender allows a job to hinder her only as much as she wants it to.

Callender is a final-year international relations major at the University of the West Indies. She juggles studying while working on campus.

The list is endless as to why students take up jobs while in school. Some crave the independence, while others have to support themselves while they are in school.

Callender has worked before as a swim instructor on campus. She is currently juggling her job at the Latin American Centre at UWI while attending summer classes.

"Apart from stressing me out, [working] has allowed me to meet different people from different places ... it has opened my mind to doing something I never thought I would like," she said.

Mary Henry, head of the office of Placement and Career Services at UWI, said the university encourages students to work while studying, except in their first year.

"We do help students to find part-time jobs off and on campus," she said. "It is always good for students to have some form of employment."

Prioritise

Although her job has not directly benefited her school work, Callender has learned to prioritise.

"I don't do my essays the morning they are due. I now do it the night before," she said laughing.

When it comes to time management, Callender said she does not have a 'mental problem', but more of a 'physical challenge'. "I am just lazy or tired. Sometimes, I confuse the two because I'm so busy," she said. "I actually have to make a mental note before I do something and I have to arrange my schedule in a way that I can do so."

The university has not received any complaints recently, from students who are unable to cope with studying and working.