For college students, everything is becoming more expensive. Students have to worry about tuition, housing, food and more. As a result, many choose to work part-time jobs while taking classes to help offset these expenses.
The number of hours worked by college students depends on factors such as the number of credit hours they are taking. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, 39.6% of full-time students have a job, while 77.7% of part-time students work.
Even if students prefer to focus on school without the added stress and exhaustion of a job, for many it isn’t realistic. Over the last two decades, housing costs have risen higher than incomes.
Although some parents help their students with payments, not everyone is as fortunate. Often, students have to find work. Working a part-time job during college may help students in the long run with time management and money-saving skills, but it can also add too much stress.
College is often said to be the best years of your life, but for students with jobs, it can interfere with relationships and social events.
Many choose to work nights after classes, which is when most college events happen. Missing out on plans consistently because of work can lead to feelings of isolation and, as a result, higher levels of depression. The Cleveland Clinic says when adults overwork themselves, it can lead to burnout, trouble sleeping and frequent health issues.
Based on these facts, when a student combines classes, extracurriculars and a social life with a demanding work schedule, it can take a heavy toll on mental well-being. Even though it may be more practical for students to solely focus on academics to help their mental health and schedules, it’s not always possible for those with hefty bills to pay.
According to Zillow, the average rent cost for any bedroom type in Athens is $709. In just the last year, rent in Athens has increased by $64. Even locally, housing costs for students are constantly increasing, making it less affordable.
When everything is so expensive, including housing, many students cannot afford the luxury of not working. Many students face an increase in stress due to balancing work and school life. Although we can’t change the circumstances of the economy, we must find ways to support students struggling to balance school and work. The solution many recommend is cutting hours to ease stress and overworking, but that’s not always feasible if rent is due and food needs to be on the table.
If you’re a student struggling to balance everything, make sure you’re taking time to rest. It’s important to get enough sleep to support everything you’re doing during the day.
Another option is to find online classes. Many times, fully online classes give students the flexibility to complete assignments on their own time. This can help ease schedule conflicts with class and work times.
Of course, mental health counseling is always a great option. Ohio University Counseling and Psychological Services can be a helpful resource for managing school and work stress, and a counselor may be able to suggest more tips for handling it.
It’s important to take care of yourself and prioritize your well-being, while remembering that this is a temporary chapter of your life; you won’t be balancing these financials forever.
Hadley is a junior studying journalism at Ohio University. Please note the opinions expressed in this column do not represent those of The Post. Want to talk to Hadley about their column? Email them at hl526522@ohio.edu.
