8 Struggles All Working College Students Know Too Well
Start writing a post
Student Life

8 Struggles All Working College Students Know Too Well

It's not easy waking up for a 7:00 AM shift the day before an exam.

54
8 Struggles All Working College Students Know Too Well

Being a college student obviously brings a variety of obligations: an enormous amount of school-work, extracurricular activities, social interaction. However, for students who are working a job on top of everything else, these pressures often feel even more unbearable. While your friends are going out to dinner or studying at the library, you're stuck at your desk job, probably making less money than you deserve.

Thankfully, there are quite a few students who understand the struggle, as more than seventy percent of undergraduates work a job. Just because there's a lot of us, though, that doesn't make the situation any easier. There are a lot of obstacles that working college students face, whether you're working on or off campus.

1. You're Almost Always Tired

Giphy

This is a pretty common feeling among most college students, but having to work a job can sometimes steal the few, precious hours of sleep you can get.

2. You Have to Deal with Rude People on the Daily

Giphy

This could be a customer or even a fellow employee, but I find that people are usually more aggressive towards student employees. We're easy targets: young and perhaps unexperienced in the workforce, but we're actually people too.

3. Your Friends Think You Can Afford Anything

media1.giphy.com

Whenever I mention that I have a job, people assume that I'm rolling in cash. Unfortunately, minimum wage doesn't quite allow for that to become a reality. I'm still a broke college student, just like everyone else.

4. You Have to Work Bad Hours

thumbs.gfycat.com

Since you're in class during the day, you usually can only work in the mornings or at night. While your friends are sound-asleep or having fun, you're working.

5. You Have to Sneak Homework on the Job

media1.giphy.com

If most of your free time is spent working, you might not have a lot of time to complete the massive amounts of schoolwork you have to do. Especially if you have an exam coming up, you're probably using any free second on the job to whip out some flashcards.

6. You Have to Be Creative With Meals

media2.giphy.com

Coffee quickly becomes a meal replacer when you have ten minutes between the start of your shift and the end of your class. Or, you literally have to swallow a burrito whole.

7. Your Weekends Are Never Relaxing

media1.tenor.com

Instead of joining your friends who are going to parties or getting some quality de-stressing time, you're clocking in for a Saturday shift that no one else wants.

8. You Have an Excuse if You Don't Want to Go Somewhere

media1.giphy.com

Even though you're probably forced to miss a lot of fun events, you can also use this obligation to your advantage. Sorry I can't go to your one-woman adaptation of an obscure show, I have to work!

Having a job and being a student sometimes sucks, but at least you are becoming more prepared for life after college by learning about the workforce, and maybe even making some valuable connections for the future.

Plus, your iced coffee can always comfort you.

Report this Content
This article has not been reviewed by Odyssey HQ and solely reflects the ideas and opinions of the creator.
the beatles
Wikipedia Commons

For as long as I can remember, I have been listening to The Beatles. Every year, my mom would appropriately blast “Birthday” on anyone’s birthday. I knew all of the words to “Back In The U.S.S.R” by the time I was 5 (Even though I had no idea what or where the U.S.S.R was). I grew up with John, Paul, George, and Ringo instead Justin, JC, Joey, Chris and Lance (I had to google N*SYNC to remember their names). The highlight of my short life was Paul McCartney in concert twice. I’m not someone to “fangirl” but those days I fangirled hard. The music of The Beatles has gotten me through everything. Their songs have brought me more joy, peace, and comfort. I can listen to them in any situation and find what I need. Here are the best lyrics from The Beatles for every and any occasion.

Keep Reading...Show less
Being Invisible The Best Super Power

The best superpower ever? Being invisible of course. Imagine just being able to go from seen to unseen on a dime. Who wouldn't want to have the opportunity to be invisible? Superman and Batman have nothing on being invisible with their superhero abilities. Here are some things that you could do while being invisible, because being invisible can benefit your social life too.

Keep Reading...Show less
houses under green sky
Photo by Alev Takil on Unsplash

Small towns certainly have their pros and cons. Many people who grow up in small towns find themselves counting the days until they get to escape their roots and plant new ones in bigger, "better" places. And that's fine. I'd be lying if I said I hadn't thought those same thoughts before too. We all have, but they say it's important to remember where you came from. When I think about where I come from, I can't help having an overwhelming feeling of gratitude for my roots. Being from a small town has taught me so many important lessons that I will carry with me for the rest of my life.

Keep Reading...Show less
​a woman sitting at a table having a coffee
nappy.co

I can't say "thank you" enough to express how grateful I am for you coming into my life. You have made such a huge impact on my life. I would not be the person I am today without you and I know that you will keep inspiring me to become an even better version of myself.

Keep Reading...Show less
Student Life

Waitlisted for a College Class? Here's What to Do!

Dealing with the inevitable realities of college life.

97648
college students waiting in a long line in the hallway
StableDiffusion

Course registration at college can be a big hassle and is almost never talked about. Classes you want to take fill up before you get a chance to register. You might change your mind about a class you want to take and must struggle to find another class to fit in the same time period. You also have to make sure no classes clash by time. Like I said, it's a big hassle.

This semester, I was waitlisted for two classes. Most people in this situation, especially first years, freak out because they don't know what to do. Here is what you should do when this happens.

Keep Reading...Show less

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Facebook Comments