Balancing work and fun: Enjoying your summer job

Pick your job carefully

Ideally, you’ll find a summer job doing something you really love. Now you can’t be too fussy, but it does pay to a) do your research and b) get work sorted as soon as possible.

Maybe research festivals or tourist attractions nearby who are hiring, think about whether heading abroad to work for the summer is an option or consider using a platform like redwigwam to find a multitude of different jobs over the summer months.

Summer work looks brilliant on your CV, and it probably doesn’t matter too much if your job isn’t the career you’re aiming for. Summer jobs teach you a whole heap of transferrable soft skills which ultimately transfer across any career path, and you’ll have plenty to discuss at interview when questions about problem solving, or delighting a customer come up.

(There are some great tips on working at a festival in this blog post as a start point, or fun jobs for the summer in this one!)

So, you’ve got a job lined up. Now how do you make it a summer of fun?

Remember it’s important to find a work-life balance

Maintaining a work-life balance during summer employment (and indeed any job) is vital for your overall well-being and enjoyment.

There are several reasons for this:

• It reduces stress: Balancing work and play helps alleviate stress and prevents burnout.
• It improves your productivity: Taking breaks and engaging in activities you enjoy will help boost your focus and productivity during working hours.
• It enhances your well-being: Prioritising personal time and self-care leads to better physical and mental health.
• You create long-term habits: Developing work-life balance skills now will set a foundation for managing your work and personal life in the future.

So, try not to work every waking hour. You’ll end up back at university in September feeling burnt out and not at all ready to crack on with your studies. Take days off, plan a holiday (even if you don’t go anywhere) and make the most of your downtime.

Learn to manage your time effectively

With careful planning, there’s no reason at all why you can’t have a brilliant summer of fun AND earn money.

• Create a planner. Try and make a schedule which allows time for work, fun, and family time. Add any planned holidays, festivals, or days out at the beginning then try and accommodate work around them. Much easier for your manager to plan for your absence the earlier they know about it!
• Prioritise: Try and figure out what really matters and what you can miss (and make sure it’s not always work you miss!) Once you’ve identified the important stuff, you’ll find it much easier to fit your work shifts around it.  

Set some boundaries

Establishing boundaries between your work and personal life is essential to maintain a healthy work-life balance.

Consider the following:

• Define your working hours: Be upfront with your employer about any times you can’t work and when you are available. Stick to these days/hours, unless there's an emergency or a genuine need for flexibility.
• Learn to say no: This is a valuable lesson for your entire career. Don't be afraid to say no to additional work or social obligations if they’ll disrupt your balance. Prioritise your well-being and don’t overcommit.

Finding opportunities for summer fun

Once you’ve got a job and figured out your hours, you need to plan some fun stuff in to make the most of your time off!

And it doesn’t always have to cost a fortune. Some ideas on how to have a summer of fun on a budget!

• Keep it local: Discover local parks, beaches, lakes, and woods. Get out and enjoy the fresh air as much as possible – a short walk in your lunch break makes a huge difference!
• Get to know the people you’re working with: Really get to know your colleagues by planning social activities or outings with them. Think a picnic in the park, quick coffee or even a team night out.
• Check out what’s on locally: Local Facebook groups are a hive of activity with things going on in the summer months. See what’s happening and make the most of them.

Flex is best!

For the ultimate summer fun, why not try redwigwam for a multitude of flexible jobs? Sign up, see what’s available locally and only book the jobs you have time to do.

And the best bit? You can get paid daily. No need to wait ages for payday – or to book the ticket for that amazing event!

Balancing work and fun during the summer is possible! Enjoy the summer.