To the overwhelmed, working college student -

Life is tough sometimes and don't we know it. It seems as if once that paycheck from job #1 arrives, it's gone by the time the paycheck from job #2 has come (and gone). On top of worrying about money and when rent is due next, you've got class after class, paper after paper, and exam after exam. In between working a shift for one job and a shift for the next, you have a paper to crank out, a quiz to take, and two exams to study for. It's almost as if the day is over before it has even begun. College just keeps getting harder, life keeps getting more stressful, and your hours spent at work are getting longer. Some days, you can fight through and make it work. Some days, you want to just cry from it all. And some days, you just want to quit altogether.

Let me tell you something, though.

It won't last forever.

Remember: You are not the only struggling to keep afloat, even when it seems as life is this giant anchor that keeps weighing you down. We are in this together and we just have to remember that these stressful college days won't last forever. Of course, working a full-time career will be stressful, but at least it won't be anything like what we deal with now. School just takes up so much time sometimes and trying to deal with working 1 or 2 part-time jobs on top of that is really hard sometimes. Quitting just seems like the easiest option.

Positivity is key. Surrounding yourself with positive people who support you no matter what are the best people. Rid yourself of people who won't let you live your life the way that is best for you, the people who call themselves your friends, but don't support your dreams, and the people who hate on you for doing what you need to do, while they are too busy hating their own lives.

Working through college may get overwhelming, stressful to the point to where you want to scream, and harder than anything you have ever done.

And don't you ever forget that one day, it will have all been worth it, when you're doing what you love as a full-time career.

Life is beautiful. Just because it is hard right now, doesn't mean you should let the stress consume you. From a million bad things, there is always at least one good thing. Focus on the good and let the bad slip away.

And never stop working so damn hard, because I promise you: It will pay off.

Sincerely,

Your fellow overwhelmed, working college student