Compared to a few years back, one will notice a tremendous increase in part-time University students. Studying on a part-time basis means studying while working.

Everyone is fighting hard to upgrade their qualifications in order to be able to compete in the fast moving world and their working environment.

However, despite the urge and pressure on many people to go back to school, none is actually willing to leave their jobs. This has led many to enroll into part time studies, where they have to mix work with studies and some times even family.

Enrolling in a continuing education programme requires planning and commitment to succeed. Adults enrolling in a programme must make a critical decision prior to enrolling – this decision is choosing full-time or part-time enrollment.

There are pros and cons for either choice; however, most people want to take the part-time approach for many reasons.
Full-time enrollment means completing a programme sooner; however, it also means quitting full-time employment.

Part-time enrollment typically means retaining full-time employment; however, many other aspects of one’s current life style will need to be eliminated or constrained. These factors weigh heavily in a person’s decision making process and planning, for continuing education is fundamental.

According to Mary Batamuliza, a part time student working with one of the telecommunication companies, it is not easy to balance the two.

"Studying while working is not easy because you will have to forego some things like going out with friends if you are to manage and yet you have to balance work, studies and social life,” reveals Batamuliza.

Apart from lack of time to interact with friends, part time studies don’t allow those in it to enjoy their weekends.

Tito Mugema another working student says that enjoying weekends has become a thing of the past , as he has to utilise the weekends for group work so he can be able to catch up with the lectures he may have missed in the course of the week.

"You can’t get time to chill off over the weekend, most of the weekends find me at school trying to catch up with some lectures that I may have missed in the week due to some work problems,” he explains.

Part-time students (especially evening students) rarely participate in extracurricular activities, organisations, and other opportunities to network with students that in many cases could be long life friends.

Steven Mugisha, says that being a part time student puts him in a difficult situation most especially when it comes to networking with his colleagues.

"There are times as a student when you feel like participating in extracurricular activities and have chance to mix with other students, join organizations which are all important. This is not easy when you are a part time student,” says Steven. However, part time studies also have their good side according to some other students who are in the system.

Part-time students learn the importance of managing time. They know that every spare moment has to be spent studying or finishing their course work.

"As a part time student, time management is essential because without it, many things will not work out for you. Learning time management early, leads to obtaining a degree with a good Grade Point Average,” points out Brenda Batamuliza a finalist.

Part time students need to work to gain experience and afford to pay tuition and other necessities. They need to balance work, social life, and school work to succeed.

This requires practical thinking, problem solving, and making logical decisions. Potential and current employers view this characteristic favourably and this puts them in a favourable position upon completion of their studies.

According to experts, experience pays for students employed in a career field in which their continuing education programme is designed, for example, earning a Bachelors Degree In Management. Upon completion, one could possibly move up to manager or senior manager.

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