Dear Eric >> I am having some trouble with keeping up at school on my grades. I feel like it’s because of my job and working five days a week but it feels like I cannot tell anyone that. If I tell my parents, they’re going to want me to quit my job and work on my schoolwork more, but I am just not ready to give up my privilege of making my own money.

In the past, I had to quit my job due to the same reason, so I’m just nervous they’re only going to see that and not the effort I’ve been trying to make to succeed in my classes.

I don’t know if I should ask my job to take me off some days or just stick with the schedule I have. It’s affecting my emotions and my happiness and most of all the energy I have throughout the week. I want to make sure I get good grades in high school so I can pursue the future I want. But I also want to be able to buy my own things and have my own money. What can I do?

— Overworked

Dear Overworked >> It shows so much maturity that you’re thinking about solutions to this problem. I wish I’d had this level of foresight when I was in school. The way you’re approaching this also shows growth from your last work experience; your parents will be proud. The best course of action right now is to talk to your job about reducing your work hours. Hopefully, they’re understanding and can accommodate you. But if they’re not, this may not be the right job for you at this moment. That’s just fine. This might be an opportunity to look for a job that better enables you to balance everything.

Holding down a five-day-a-week job can be hard in high school. You’re to be commended for trying. You’re learning valuable skills like time management, organization and prioritization. This will help you in college and beyond. But your schoolwork is crucial here and you don’t want to miss out on educational opportunities for more immediate benefits.

Buying your own things and having your own money is important, too. We all want that. Talk to your parents about advice or help with budgeting. That’s a valuable skill that they should be happy to teach you. I think you’ll find that, even with reduced work hours, a smart budget can help you get the things you want without overtaxing you to the point that you can’t enjoy them once you’ve bought them.

Send questions to R. Eric Thomas at eric@askingeric.com