woes of a college student

This time last year I was roughing it through my final year of undergraduate study. I honestly believe that it was the hardest year, because the end was soooo near but then there was just so much to be done. For me, some of my minor courses required so much individual attention that it often seemed impossible to meet all the deadlines.

Thinking back, it was class after class from 8am to hours like 8pm. Then there are the projects that all seem to be due at the same time, and the ones that didn't exist until the 11th week (note that the semester only has 15 weeks). Plus you have other assignments like essays and portfolios and of course tests...all of which you intend to ace or at least get a 'good enough' grade to maintain a good GPA.

Along with this mix of things, of course you have a life outside of school! So there's gym time, sport practice, club meetings, a part-time job or chill time to hang with friends. All together, you seem to need about 8 more hours in the day or another day in the week (preferably one where you don't have to go to school of course).

Sleep becomes a rare but cherished activity, that although needed more than words can explain, one simply cannot attain it. Coffee or energy drinks become a best friend, and ever so often they seem to be of no help!

I know of course that my situation wasn't the worst out there, but I'm positive that most college students can relate to getting to that point where you wish Monday wouldn't come. After a stressful week, Saturday and Sunday seem to just not be enough. To be fair, the school week is five days and the weekend to unwind is a mere two days. Note well that this doesn't take into consideration that you may actually have things to do on one or more of those 'unwind days'.....for example studying which is once again school related.

Adding to this all, we sometimes barely have time for ourselves which shows in the fact that our eyes show signs of a complete lack of sleep. Sometimes too, our friends leave Skype, Facebook or Twitter messages bearing the words:

sup? haven't seen or spoken to u in ages! how's everything going?

...to which we respond....

hey it's definitely been a while. been swamped with work but I'm good. everything good with u?

Of course to add to the hectic schedule, lack of sleep and piles of assignments to be done, more often than not......we're broke. Oh yes, our pockets constantly weigh little, or we experience the hand-to-mouth situation and wonder where on earth the money went.

Ironically, even the part-time job that was to solve the problem sometimes seems to be completely unable to finance our every need. At that time, our inner hustler steps forward. Whether it's a buying and selling kinda thing, making our own products or offering our services for a charge, it's all in the name of making an extra dollar. Even then, after paying for all your basic needs, plus transportation and lunch, maybe a night out to ease the stress, and putting some cash into the rainy-day fund.......we are either broke, or we've got just enough to get us through.

So school becomes not only your main task, but in some cases, it seems to take over your life like a plague to a nation. *sigh*

It's not to say that being able to go to college isn't a blessing. Without a doubt there is no going around the fact that an education helps to prepare us for the working world. Another motivator to keep going is the consideration that our parents (or another family member or our own bank accounts) have sacrificed to ensure that tuition, fees, books and all that jazz are paid for. Of course there's also the fact that there are many others who would love the opportunity but for whatever reason, are unable to enjoy it.

Now that I'm out of school, I notice that all those issue of time, funds and stress aren't as bad in college as they are out of college. The stressful job hunt begins, the hustle quite likely continues (so your pocket can feel a bit loved) and although you have more free time on your hands it still never seems like enough, or it just goes by much too slowly.

What can I say, we all move from college student woes to college graduate woes.....but that's another post.

Toodles