Student Life

BY Nubia Reyna |THE RIDER

It is so hard to find the balance between school and your job when you know school is more important but your job pays the bills.

Let’s be completely honest; some people have it easier than others, that’s the way it is. Some may call them “lucky,” but I don’t see much luck in that.

Some students are “lucky” enough to have parents with enough resources to not work full time, or not work at all, and focus only on school. Some people are “lucky” enough to even graduate and still be living by the money their parents provide them—but not me.

I’ve been working full time since my senior year in high school. Studying from 8:30 a.m. to 04:10 p.m., working from 5 p.m. till midnight every Monday through Friday, and still managing to graduate distinguished with a 3.6 grade-point average. It was not an easy thing to do, but I know I am not the only one.

About 25 percent of college students are simultaneously employed full time and enrolled in college full time, according to the National Center for Education Statistics.

As my mom always says, “Entre más batalles y trabajes ahora que estás joven, más exitosa serás de grande”. (The more you struggle and work while you’re young, the more successful you’ll be when you’re older.)

So, don’t get discouraged if you feel like it’s too much.

Do not get discouraged if you have to worry both about paying your rent and studying for a test.

Do not get discouraged if you have to worry both about paying your car and buying your books for school.

Always remember, you are not the only one, even if it feels like it.