2008 Woodie Awards
The routine of juggling work and school
Christopher Piechuta
Issue date: 1/31/07 Section: News
Its 11:45 on Monday night and Lauren Edge has just returned to her apartment after eight hours of work and a full day of classes. She knows that she has at least four hours of homework to do and has class at 10 a.m.
She knows that tomorrow she has to perform this routine all over again.
Lauren is a senior geology major trying to make time for classes while serving as a teaching assistant chemistry lab, and working a full time job. This balancing act of juggling a job and classes is one that more college students are facing.
In a freshmen poll, taken at Castleton State College earlier this year, 186 said that their biggest fear was not having enough money to do all the things they want to do.
Dennis Proulx, director of Residence Life, thinks that this feeling comes from college being more of a lifestyle these days than the quest for higher learning it used to be.
With the need of money for food, gas, clothing, entertainment and social events, "Students are working more," said Proulx.
With a slight smile he added "It's just the reality."
Proulx said that the school provides clean housing and the dining hall so students should be able to focus on classes. He said he does understand, however, that some students also feel the need to have a job outside of school, although he classifies attending college as a full-time job.
When asked about students coping with a mixed work load, he said "It's a juggling of values."
Shea Bigsby is a junior who is attempting to join the work force of the Diamond Run Mall. When asked why, her face lit up in a big smile.
"I just found an apartment that I want, and I need to pay rent," she said. "I hate living on campus."
Living off campus seems to be a main reason why students work while going to school.
"It's my own damn fault," said Sarahbeth Oddy, with a broad, beaming smile and arms waiving for emphasis.
Oddy said she chose to live off campus and understands the responsibility and expenses that go along with it.
She knows that tomorrow she has to perform this routine all over again.
Lauren is a senior geology major trying to make time for classes while serving as a teaching assistant chemistry lab, and working a full time job. This balancing act of juggling a job and classes is one that more college students are facing.
In a freshmen poll, taken at Castleton State College earlier this year, 186 said that their biggest fear was not having enough money to do all the things they want to do.
Dennis Proulx, director of Residence Life, thinks that this feeling comes from college being more of a lifestyle these days than the quest for higher learning it used to be.
With the need of money for food, gas, clothing, entertainment and social events, "Students are working more," said Proulx.
With a slight smile he added "It's just the reality."
Proulx said that the school provides clean housing and the dining hall so students should be able to focus on classes. He said he does understand, however, that some students also feel the need to have a job outside of school, although he classifies attending college as a full-time job.
When asked about students coping with a mixed work load, he said "It's a juggling of values."
Shea Bigsby is a junior who is attempting to join the work force of the Diamond Run Mall. When asked why, her face lit up in a big smile.
"I just found an apartment that I want, and I need to pay rent," she said. "I hate living on campus."
Living off campus seems to be a main reason why students work while going to school.
"It's my own damn fault," said Sarahbeth Oddy, with a broad, beaming smile and arms waiving for emphasis.
Oddy said she chose to live off campus and understands the responsibility and expenses that go along with it.
Be the first to comment on this story