The Many Hats of a College Student

1. The Many Hats of a College Student By, Tammy Jones Sociology of Communications

2. Everyday Roles To Fulfill • Employee • Parent • Full time student Sociology of Communications

3. Employee Life • Full time employees • Working school into an already full schedule • One student stated, “…My shift is usually 9-10 hrs from Sunday to Thursday. I miss sleeping, doing laundry and grocery shopping like normal folks.” Sociology of Communications

4. Employee Life Continued • Part time employees • Bills must be paid, it helps to have flexibility. • As one student mentioned, “…I am lucky to only have to work two days a week and my manager is willing to work with whatever I may need.” Sociology of Communications

5. Employee Life Continued • Some students do not have to work. • “I'm fortunate that I don't have to work while going to school, so I don't have the responsibility of a job to balance my studies.” • “Personally it's not too hard because I live with my mom and her and my boyfriend pretty much take care of whatever I may need so that all I have to concentrate on is school.” Sociology of Communications

6. Parenting • Many people who have children younger in life do not finish college until later in life or not at all. • An intricate balance • One mother shared that, “At first it was very challenging. I went back to school when my son was five weeks old and I could not handle both.” Sociology of Communications

7. Parenting Continued • Day care • Parents are in class, children need to be cared for. This can be a very stressful and costly predicament. • In class, one student suggested that, “Having a free day care center on campus would help a lot.” Sociology of Communications

8. Parenting Continued • Fitting the work in • Trying to take care of children and completing assignments often conflict. • One student shared tactic she implements, “I read my textbook whenever I can, like when I'm in the car waiting for my kids from school.  I have a to-do-list that reminds me when and what need to be accomplished.” Sociology of Communications

9. Full Time Student • Being a full time student is a job in and of itself. • Studies may have to take a back seat to life’s other priorities. • One student stated, “…Sometimes I get so overwhelmed I feel like my world is spinning out of control…” Sociology of Communications

10. Full Time Student Continued • School work piles up very quickly. • It is easy to get behind. • “Senioritis” • One student admitted, “I am by nature a procrastinator, so I sometimes put off studying or reading until the last minute.” Sociology of Communications

11. Full Time Student Continued • There is a lot of pressure to do well. • This can come from outside or internal sources. • Frustration was expressed by one individual when she stated, “I have to work hard in school because I have to get good grades to keep my scholarship, and then I feel like a zombie.” Sociology of Communications

12. What This Means • Being a college student comes with high demands. • Things can become extremely overwhelming. • Wearing the “hat” of an employee, a parent, or a full time student are difficult in and of themselves. Sociology of Communications

13. Tips For Success • Make “to-do” lists. • Read whenever you get a chance. • Prioritize your priorities. Sociology of Communications

14. Some More Tips For Success • Squeeze in time for yourself. • Time management • Communicate with bosses and professors. • Most importantly, BREATHE! Sociology of Communications