Clocking out of work, running to class — still in uniform — your friends start texting you plans for the night. Feeling overwhelmed and dreading the assignments due tonight, you don't know what to prioritize.
This is the reality for many students across the University.
According to a 2023 U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics report, about 44.3% of college students have a job at some point in their college career.
"When people have lots of different responsibilities, and they might need more time to build those connections, it can be hard," AaronKrasnow, the associate vice president of ASU Health, Counseling and Wellness, said.
READ MORE: Full-time jobs leave full-time students overwhelmed with unbalanced lives
Isaiah Ponciano Avila, a first-year nursing student who works at Panda Express, said that being a student comes first, work comes second and social time comes last.
Ponciano Avila said he tries to find balance by scheduling classes in the morning and shifts at night. Something he finds positive about his job is the proximity to his housing.
"That's been one of the bigger struggles of trying to (be in) college and have a job," Ponciano Avila said. "It is just trying to find something that works well with the schedule."
Working students will sometimes need to plan social time in advance, which can be overwhelming on top of juggling other responsibilities.
"Think of it as two things: One, the intensity of the challenge you're having, and whether it's overwhelming your life in any way, and (second) the interference which is part of the overwhelming, and is it getting in the way?" Krasnow said.
For Yamileth Villalobos, a junior studying criminology and criminal justice who works at a country club, having a job can be isolating and keep her from the ideal college social experience.
READ MORE: Insight: The college experience, a reality check from a sophomore
"I feel like sometimes I'm trading away my youth and my fun time for money, which isn't the best feeling," Villalobos said. "I know we need it (money), but it just kind of sucks."
For many students, truly achieving balance between academics, work and social activities is difficult and can be unhealthy, Krasnow said.
"The most healthy way to think about it that our research shows is of what's called work-life integration, where who you are at work, in your job, in your schoolwork, and who you are outside of work are actually the same person," Krasnow said. "They just show up differently in different contexts."
For this idea of integration to work, communication is key, whether that be with managers, friends or even oneself, Villalobos said.
"Get out a calendar for the week, and write down the days you do have school, and if you really need the money, then I would suggest working the days of school. But always have at least one day that you have to yourself," Villalobos said.
It is also important to remember that every hangout does not have to be in-person; students can make time for social connections online via social media, FaceTime, calling or texting.
Ponciano Avila said texting has been the "second base" form of communication when his schedule does not align with his friends'.
"We need to normalize the fact that people often think there's a right way to do it," Krasnow said. "There is no right way. There's only trying different things in order to feel what's right for you."
Edited by Natalia Rodriguez, Jack McCarthy and Ellis Preston.
Reach the reporter at galawre3@asu.edu.
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Grace Lawrence is a reporter for the community culture desk at The Arizona State Press. This is her 1st semester working with The State Press.
