Working as a college student can be extremely challenging. Paying bills while studying, meeting requirements and completing tasks can be hard to manage but it can be done with perseverance and the proper perspective. Not everyone can make the choice to just focus on school.Many students have to balance work with college courses. Being in a school counseling program has been especially challenging for me because the program requires a substantial amount of unpaid hours completing an internship and practicum during work day hours. Disclosing that you are in school to an employer is another delicate situation that can be hard to navigate. I am sharing a few tips on what has been helping me.
1. Self care- Take advantage of your school's gym or get a low cost membership. It can really help with stress relief.
2. Social support- Consider reaching out to personal and professional contacts who support you. They may be of encouragement to you when you are having a hard time staying motivated.
3. Explore work opportunities within student friendly work environments where your supervisor would be supportive of allowing you to have flexible work hours if working full time or consider working part time. Try looking at tutoring, working on a college campus, a mental health agency or company that offers multiple work shifts such as weekends. With class during the evenings and commitments during the day for field work, it can be hard to find the happy medium but it can happen. Choosing a position that works well with your schedule will help you avoid a difficult conversation or decision later on.
4. Save, save, save and pay bills on time! I know how hard it can be to sacrifice, but due to the expense of school, it is important to make sure you plan for the unexpected and maintain a healthy financial report for the future.
5. Don't give up. There are going to be people who won't be compassionate towards you. You can't get discouraged by that. You must continue to observe the real world to make the decisions that are best for you. This may mean taking notes on how schools treat you during the interview process, keeping an eye out for where you would like to work in the future. Use your experiences to ask questions, get to know yourself, and gain exposure to opportunities. Keep an open mind and always stay hopeful!!
6. Take breaks when you need it. Don't overwork yourself with classes or with work. Balance is hard, sometimes you have to stop and take care of yourself first before completing another task. In the long run, it will be better for your performance, if you are well!
7. Join a support group: There may be support groups for students like yourself who may be going through the same thing or a support group unrelated to school that can still help you find a community of support to help with managing your stress and feeling less alone.
I hope these tips help! Life can be tough but so are you. Enjoy your journey, and know that sometimes things seem impossible until its done.
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