From lectures to last orders: a day in the life of a student at M&B

Uni life can be a bit of a juggling act. Between lectures, deadlines, social plans and trying to make your student loan last until the end of the month, there’s a lot going on. So, where does a part-time job fit into the mix?

For many students, working in hospitality is a great way to earn money while studying, meet new people and pick up skills that come in handy long after graduation. And at M&B, with a family of brands including Harvester, Toby Carvery, Miller & Carter, Browns, and Vintage Inns, there are plenty of places to find your fit.

But what does a typical day actually look like when you're balancing uni with a job in hospitality?

Let's follow a day in the life of a student working at M&B, from the first lecture of the morning to last orders in the evening. 

9 am: The lecture attendance debate

The alarm's gone off. The lecture starts in 20 minutes. And that bed has never looked more inviting.

After a quick breakfast (or a coffee that counts as breakfast), it's time to grab your bag and head to campus. There's a seminar to get through, notes to take and probably a deadline that's closer than you'd like to admit.

Uni days can be unpredictable, which is why planning your working hours around your timetable is worth doing. Get your lectures in, tackle the important bits of uni work and save the afternoon for your shift.

One thing's for sure: future you will be pretty pleased you got out of bed.

12 pm: Lunch, life admin and a quick reality check

Lectures done. Laptop open. To-do list looking suspiciously long.

It's time for lunch with friends, a catch-up on uni work and a quick look at the bank balance. Rent, food, nights out… suddenly that part-time job sounds like a very good idea.

Working in hospitality can give you a regular way to earn while you're studying, with roles and shifts to explore around your availability. And there's something satisfying about knowing your next dinner out isn't entirely dependent on whatever's left in your student loan.

Right, enough life admin. There's a shift to get ready for.

3 pm: From lecture notes to dinner service

Lectures finished. Work uniform on. Time to switch gears.

Depending on your role, you could be welcoming guests, taking orders, serving up favourites or helping the kitchen team keep everything moving. At M&B, no two shifts are necessarily the same, and you'll soon get to know the people who make your pub, bar or restaurant tick.

Never worked in hospitality before? That's fine. You don't need to arrive knowing every dish on the menu or how to handle a busy service. You'll have the chance to learn on the job, ask questions and get to grips with your role. 

And if you're someone who enjoys chatting to people, being part of a team and having something to get stuck into, you might just find yourself right at home.

5 pm: The dinner rush is on

The dinner rush is on, orders are coming through, and everyone's got a part to play. But the best bit? There isn't just one way to work in hospitality.

Love chatting to people? A role in bar or waiting staff could be right up your street, from welcoming guests and taking orders to serving drinks and making sure everyone's having a good time.

Prefer being behind the scenes? Kitchen roles put you right in the heart of the action, helping prepare dishes and keep service running smoothly. And if you're still figuring out what suits you best, there's a whole range of front-of-house and back-of-house roles to explore.

Whichever you choose, you'll be part of a team working together to give guests a great experience. 

7 pm: Good food, good company, good shift

One of the best parts of hospitality? The people you work with.

Your teammates might include other students juggling deadlines, people who've worked in hospitality for years and colleagues who've built their careers in the industry. There's always someone to learn from, have a laugh with or ask for a hand when you need one.

You'll also get to be part of the moments that bring guests through the door, whether that's a family gathering around a Toby Carvery roast, friends catching up over dinner at Harvester or a big occasion at Miller & Carter.

You're helping make someone's time out a good one. And that's a pretty nice thing to be part of.

10pm: Last orders, then home

That's the shift done. Time to clock off, head home and put your feet up.

Tomorrow might mean another lecture, a library session or a catch-up with friends. Or perhaps you've got another shift coming up at the weekend.

Working while studying takes a bit of organisation, but it can also give your week a different rhythm. You get time on campus, time earning money and time with people outside your course.

And when payday arrives? Those plans in the group chat suddenly look a little more realistic.

Is a part-time hospitality job right for you as a student?

If you're looking for a student job that gets you out of the library and into a lively team, hospitality could be worth a look.

You don't need to have your future career figured out, and you don't need loads of experience to get started. What matters is finding a role that suits your availability and gives you the chance to learn.

A few things to think about before applying:

• Your timetable: Be clear about your lectures, coursework and exam periods, and how much time you can realistically commit to work.
• Your availability: Look for roles that suit the hours you can offer. Evening and weekend work may be options, depending on the role and the needs of the business.
• What you enjoy: Love chatting to people? Interested in food? Prefer being part of a busy team? Think about the kind of environment you'd enjoy working in.
• What you want to get out of it: Extra spending money might be the main reason you're looking, but you could also discover a new interest, gain confidence, learn new skills, or find a career path you hadn't considered.

There's no one-size-fits-all way to do student life. It's about finding what works for you.

Your time at uni is about more than lectures and deadlines. It's about trying new things, meeting people and working out what makes you tick. 

Find a student job that fits around your schedule with M&B today.