Work Hard, Study Hard

Fun is sometimes hard to find as a busy and poor college student. Fun often costs money, which my bank account is clearly missing sometimes. Since I live off campus, having a job makes things a lot easier, even if it does require more of a balancing act of work and school. And play? Sleep. Sleep is play.

Currently, I don't have a job, although looking for a job can sometimes feel like a job in and of itself. Filling out similar job applications for various jobs and various employers online, which average at about an hour each, checking Craigslist several times a day for new job postings that aren't scams, returning calls from possible employers and setting up job interviews so they don't interfere with classes, stressing about said job interviews... It's a lot. But it's worth it when you finally find a legitimate employer who's willing to hire you. And it's definitely worth it when you don't have to worry about where the month's rent is going to come from. It's worth it when you can afford to go out to dinner every once in awhile and it's worth it when you can afford to treat yourself to a concert or a cute pair of jeans. And the best part is you can afford all of it on your own.

Having a part-time job while being a full-time student is definitely tough, but it's not impossible. It might mean you have to write a paper a day or two earlier than you would have because you have to work during the time you would have written the paper. It might mean missing a fun party because you have to work. It might mean pulling an all-nighter every once in a while to cram for a test the next morning. But it does teach you skills that will be helpful and are what many employers are looking for once you start your career. It will teach you time management and how to balance your attention between work and school. It will teach you not to put all your energy into school so you're not too exhausted to do your job well. And it will teach you not to take on too many hours at work so there's no time left to study.

As for my social life, I'm hoping it will come back once I graduate.