Having a job while attending college and  studying for required classes is not uncommon for a college student. However, being able to balance all responsibilities can get difficult and extremely stressful.

The added pressure to get good grades in order to transfer out of a community college and into a four-year university, while making enough money to be able to pay and afford personal expenses can be extremely overwhelming. As a student at EC with a job, I often find myself in this same situation.

After having a difficult spring semester, I decided to lighten up my work load this fall by taking one less class and working fewer hours.

The cliché saying, “time management is key” has actually helped in my efforts to be less stressed and accomplish all of my tasks to my satisfaction.  I have limited myself to working no more than 24 hours a week in order to have sufficient time to get my schoolwork and studying done.

By only taking three classes, I do not feel as if I have too many tests and assignments piling up to the point that I cannot complete them.

This was not an easy thing to figure out, as trial and error played a large role in finding a schedule that worked for me.

Many students believe that being a full-time student while working and having a social life is possible and while for some it is, a majority of people simply can’t handle having a job and attending college.

I have learned through experience that I am one of those people that simply cannot handle a heavy load.

Yet by accepting this fact, I feel less pressured and can actually take the time to relax.

The best part of finding a schedule that worked for me is being able to have a social life without feeling guilty about not spending as much time on schoolwork as I felt was needed.

This semester I have not felt as stressed as I have in the past and can honestly say I have been handling my classes and work with ease.

A student can do many things to handle stress in a way that best suits them, but if only a student knows what he or she is capable of handling, then stress won’t be something to worry about.

The views expressed in Campus Insight are  those of the authors. 

They do not represent the views or opinions of the Union, its staff, editorial board or adviser. 

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