Students struggle with balancing school and studying while still having time to work

As tuition continues to rise and the state budget gets cut, students are having a harder time finding money for the things they need.

Some students have had to quit part-time jobs so they can work full-time on top of having a full-time school schedule. Others have had to take on a second job to make ends meet.

“I’m working two jobs just to pay off all the expenses associated with going to school. It makes keeping up in your classes that much harder when you are worried about your financial situation,â€Â said Dave Colvin, a California State University, Fresno student.

Colvin said he has a hard time balancing school, studying and working.

Despite his financial woes and time management problems, Colvin still finds humor in his situation.

“I find it funny that the state of California opts to increase the tuition during such a horrible economic time,” Colvin said. “Maybe they should remember that we are in the same situation and it just adds fuel to the fire.”
After living on her own for the past year, Jane Lao, an economics major, had to move back in with her parents following the recent hike in tuition.

“It is really hard to balance out school and work when you are off living by yourself with no family support,â€Â Lao said. “I would have to work 40 hours a week on top of going to school full-time.â€Â

Some students are also having a hard time finding employers that are willing to work with their school schedule.

With a majority of classes being held during the daytime, some students have to work nighttime jobs which can cause additional stress.

“I’m fortunate enough that my work is more than willing to work with my school scheduleâ€Â Lao said. “I’m thankful because the stress level and sleep deficiency takes a toll on your body after a while, plus the hike in tuition really puts the icing on the cake on my financial burden.â€Â

Lao, unlike some students, sees the positive side to this situation.

“In some cases a student wouldn’t need to work in order to provide for themselves, but as in most cases some parents cannot quite afford college tuition so it’s up to the students to pave their own way financially,â€Â Lao said. “In essence, this teaches us to become responsible adults but I believe that in the long run it’s detrimental to an individual’s health.â€Â

Colvin disagreed with Lao saying, “I don’t see how being a stressed out, sleep deprived student is going to help prepare me for the real world. If anything, it’s going to force me to be a student for an extra semester, which is something that I don’t really want to have to do.â€Â