The second the majority of teens hit the age of 16, their first thought is driving a car wherever they want, closely followed by if they should get a job or not. While driving a car seems to have no downsides, sometimes a job can have its cons as a high school student. From struggling to manage time to turning in late college applications, balancing your obligations is important to succeed in school and life. A job can help you grow as a person but understanding a good balance can create an easier high school life. A majority of Xavier students are student-athletes. Attending practice and competitions daily is a huge time commitment and responsibility. In order to do this, students have to dedicate one to two hours for practice and, depending on the sport, competition length can vary. Although not every day, some sports can be up to six hours long, such as a track meet, and can potentially run longer. Adding a job onto this can leave no time for school academics, which can lead to a decline in focusing on school. A lot of athletic students end up quitting their jobs or taking a temporary leave in season. By limiting your time, college applications could be pushed to the side by students. By submitting just before deadlines, college admissions see this as procrastination and it says something about your work ethic. While jobs can set you up for a brighter future, there are many factors that go into it. Finding a good balance between these can set you up for success. Find a job that allows for a more flexible schedule, specifically one that understands you have prior commitments and works with you on creating a less stressful schedule. Working at a family business or explaining to your employer the situation you’re in prior to being hired can help throughout your work experience. Smaller, non-chain businesses typically are easier on schedules and understanding students. High chain businesses usually have a set schedule and restrictions on work times. However, having a job as a high school student can also be very beneficial. Having a job that coincides with skills that are learned by experience, not a textbook. Work ethic, being a part of a team, and learning work environments can be seriously beneficial following college as these skills must be practiced. Another great thing about having a job is when looking for future jobs you can have a leg up from the competition, as you have work experience and years under your belt. As a teenager, deciding on if a job is right for you or necessary varies from person to person. Thinking through the pros and cons throughout your own schedule gives you a stress-free high school experience. When thinking about this question yourself, remember that the key to success is balance.