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Enjoying a night out with friends, finding time for a pedicure, catching a good game, taking the kids to the park or going to the latest movie can be challenging events in the lives of some students.
College students who work full-time and take on a full-time school schedule may find it difficult to have a life outside the walls of the classroom or even their own homes.
While there are those who are content to put their social life on hold, others have found ways to juggle their responsibilities, enabling them to maintain a little extra time for fun.
“I write everything down that has to be done daily and check-mark the item as I go to ensure that everything gets done,” said Tracy Bounsing, a biology major. She makes Saturday her night to get out unless there’s an exam that week.
Single moms have additional obstacles to overcome when trying to cram everything in. Dinner, laundry, extracurricular taxiing and assisting their children with homework can add to the stress of finding time to focus on their own homework or have a social life.
Jessica Webber, an education major, described her social life as “non-existent.” As a single mom of four, Webber said a full-time job and full-time school can be pretty stressful, but she credits online classes for allowing her to get through it.
“I fit it all in when the kids go to bed, which means late nights and on the weekends,” she said. “I also happen to be highly organized.”
Family and friends can become a valuable part in allowing burdened students to get through this time in their lives.
“It is difficult to fit everything in, but I have a great job and a great support system from family and friends, so it makes things easier than many would think,” said Susan Sheridan, an education major.
Although she doesn’t get all the free time she wants with her son and friends, Sheridan said her support system allows her just enough free time to maintain her sanity.
Students who have no choice but to work full-time always could cut college hours, but some don’t even consider that an option.
Tabitha Anderson was taking 12 hours during the fall semester and working five to six days a week.
“I’m 33 years old, and I don’t want to be dragging my school out,” she said. “I’m trying to finish school as fast as I can.”
Anderson isn’t just trying to get through school, either. She works hard to get all A’s. Her focus is the light at the end of the tunnel.
“Right now it seems all I do is focus on school, but it won’t last forever,” she said.
Sometimes it’s sleep that gets the least attention. Donald Anderson, an engineering major, is an electrician by day and full-time student by night, taking evening and online classes.
“I simply try to balance eight hours for work, eight for school and hopefully eight for sleep,” he said.
“On average, I get around six to seven if I’m lucky.”
He admitted that to stay sane, he might sacrifice study time to get out and do something.
For some, staying ahead is the key to enjoying entertainment and family time.
“I manage my free time by never letting myself be behind either at school or at work,” said Dustin Newman, a business major.
“I always stay ahead, and I usually have my entire weekend free from work and school.”
Blanca Masias, who is majoring in social work, uses technology to stay organized so she can have a little free time.
“Thank God for phone calendars, reminders and organizers,” Masias said. She even makes time to coach her son’s sports teams.
These students, whether they choose to enjoy social time or not, have a common thread.
Their determination to reach their goals is what keeps them pressing forward.
They all have their eye on the prize and are looking ahead to the day when they can look back and say that it was all worth it.
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