Hashtags: #strugglingstudent #worklifebalance #mentalhealth #collegeproblems
Are you feeling overwhelmed and on the brink of burnout juggling a 9-5 job and college classes? You are not alone. Many students struggle to find the balance between work, school, and personal life, and it can take a toll on your mental health. In this article, we will explore some strategies to help you navigate this challenging time while staying mentally and emotionally healthy.
## The Struggle is Real
It’s no secret that combining a 9-5 job with college classes can be incredibly stressful. The pressure to perform well in both areas can leave you feeling exhausted, anxious, and even depressed. In a world where success is often measured by how busy you are, it’s easy to fall into the trap of overworking yourself. But it’s crucial to remember that your mental health should always come first.
### Signs of Burnout
– Feeling constantly tired and drained
– Difficulty concentrating on tasks
– Increased irritability and mood swings
– Loss of interest in activities you once enjoyed
– Physical symptoms such as headaches or stomach pains
If you find yourself experiencing any of these symptoms, it’s essential to take a step back and reassess your priorities. Your well-being is more important than any job or degree.
## Finding a Balance
While it may seem impossible to find a balance between work and school, there are some practical steps you can take to make the load a little lighter.
### Time Management
– Create a schedule that allocates time for work, classes, study, and self-care.
– Prioritize tasks based on deadlines and importance.
– Break larger tasks into smaller, more manageable chunks.
### Self-Care
– Make time for activities that bring you joy and relaxation, such as exercise, hobbies, or spending time with loved ones.
– Practice mindfulness or meditation to reduce stress and anxiety.
– Get enough sleep and eat well to fuel your body and mind.
### Seek Support
– Talk to friends, family, or a therapist about your struggles.
– Reach out to your professors or employer if you need accommodations or support.
– Utilize campus resources for academic help or mental health services.
### Consider Your Options
If the stress of working a 9-5 job on top of college classes is becoming too much to handle, it may be time to reassess your priorities. Consider the following options:
– Talk to your employer about reducing your hours or taking a leave of absence.
– Look into online classes or part-time study options to lighten your course load.
– Explore internships or co-op programs that align with your career goals and provide valuable experience without overwhelming you.
Remember, it’s okay to ask for help and make changes to better support your mental health. Your well-being is worth prioritizing, no matter what.
## Final Thoughts
It’s important to recognize the challenges of balancing a 9-5 job with college classes and to take steps to mitigate the impact on your mental health. By practicing self-care, seeking support, and considering your options, you can find a balance that works for you. Remember that your well-being is the most valuable asset you have, and it’s okay to put yourself first. Don’t be afraid to reach out for help if you need it. You are not alone in this struggle, and there are resources available to support you on your journey. Stay strong and take care of yourself. 🌟
Keywords: college student mental health, work-life balance, student burnout, juggling work and school, self-care for students, seeking support while in college.
Hey. I don’t know you but I hear you. I validate what you feel and truly hope you figure this out
I hear you and like MechanicalAdv wrote, I validate what you feel and hope you figure this out.
I’m somewhat hypothesizing here but, I am trying to help.
Remember that your worth is not defined by your job title, your income, or your ability to ‘keep up’ with societal milestones like marriage, homeownership or other external expectations that aim to delineate success – which are often manufactured to fuel corporate profit pipelines anyway. You are valuable because of your unique perspective, your inherent abilities to contribute to a community, and your potential to envision and work towards a more equitable world.
Reflect on the notion of success and fulfillment. Our social constructs often misalign the countless ways to lead a rich and meaningful life.
In general, your future isn’t now, its only the present and this, too, shall pass.
I feel this, I worked FT in a non related field and went to school FT. It took so many years working BS crappy positions to work my way up and get enough experience to move up. It’s been a fucking grind this whole while, but I can say it’s been decent, am 41, now and looking to retire before 45-47 with a decent enough nest egg to be able to work whatever id like to going forward. There is no way I could stay in IT much longer than that, it would drive me bat shit crazy.
The grind is insane Fr
I was working three jobs at one point to support myself and do college at one point. The cost of living in the area was so high i could barely afford to eat. I remember coming home one day after being gone 16 hours and opening the fridge to nothing. I fell to my knees and started ugly crying. Your feelings are totally valid and do what you have to do to make yourself feel okay. I had to take a step back to put myself in a better position to try again
It does fucking suck.  I’m sorry you’re having to deal with it! Is there any way you can take a semester off so you have some time for yourself to just be a human and enjoy life a little bit? Whenever I feel this way I have to take things day by day and not look at what I have left in year measurements.Â
You’re not alone in this feeling and the job market IS trash but it will recover, maybe (hopefully) by the time you’re finished with school! The thing about life is that we’re literally on a floating rock and in late stage capitalism, more and more of us are not married nor buying a house because the economy is so bad. This is not a personal flaw, it’s systemic.Â
Lean on your support system, friends and community because we cannot live a life worth living alone and on our own. We need one another. Â
Your feelings are valid
Hey op, it is insanely hard. Just remember this is temporary, and life after graduation should hopefully be a little better ❤️
Is going part time a possibility for you financially?
I’ve been there and done it. You can do it too but you’ll have almost 0 social life. I took 12 units per semester. My classes were all during night time.
Go hiking on weekends to clear your mind.
I once worked one hotel from 7-3, another hotel from 3-11, delivered newspapers in the middle of the night, and I was taking 15 credit hours.
It only lasted one semester before I cracked. The struggle is real. I’m so sorry
Welcome to the Corporate Nightmare, get out while you still can
I did it for two years. It does get better
I’ma shit on compsci-
It’s horrible saturated. English isn’t a huge requirement for programming, as programming itself requires a language knowledge. In Canada, the area around Toronto at least, has job listings asking for CompSci degrees and they pay less than entry level labour jobs cutting grass – because they can be applied for internationally, or by people who come for our school-diploma-mill programs.
Sorry to rain-on-your-parade but in reality that industry is saturated as fuck, and mostly by new immigrants to the country. And here’s the kicker – 300 people apply, but the job is filled through racial nepotism. So unless you know someone, there’s no job.
This will pass. Just grind it out. When I was in college I worked nights from 7PM to 7AM then went to college from 8-1. Drove an hour both ways. I ran off hardly any sleep. I literally don’t think I recall much of anything from those days. It was all I could do to just make it through a day. Each day just remember, you just gotta make it 1 more day. Then another, then another. As long as you picked the right degree and apply yourself it should work out. It will be a great release when you get that entry level career type gig that’s not a “job” but a “career” move. Then you can work your 8-5 and feed your alcohol or game addiction for the 4 hours a day that are yours before bedtime like normal folks. LOL Good luck! Sincerely, power through, don’t feed the negative thoughts because it makes them multiply.
You should be making your online resume and portfolio, along with some low level certs. Show you can do the stuff, this will help you with interviews and internships. Make a git hub repsoitiory and start banging out projects. Don’t be that guys that plays video games and jacks off when they aren’t at work or school. Wasting time bro. Also, you need to be prepared to move. Today folks want to stay local, “that’s where my friends are” type of shit. You gotta get rid of that mentality and open yourself up to an adventure. Move to where the jobs are for your first few years, get the experience, then move back to a job where you want to be. Easiest way to get started.
Hey I’m doing the same thing. I have an 8-5 career on top of full time classes (plus commute to work and campus). It’s really hard and can be mentally draining. You’re not alone in this. It’s tough, but remember what you’re fighting for. That’s what I do Atleast
I feel you. I’ve been going to school the last two years like this (on my final 3 classes thankfully) and it has been hell. I work overnights 8pm-4:30am and have classes 9am-4pm on Tuesdays and Thursdays. It sucks so much having to take 2 two hour naps in a day instead of the normal 8. Keep up the grind and you’ll like what you see on the other side. Trust
It CAN be worth it. Comp-sci makes sense if there’s a ton of networking related jobs near you, but it is a grind. Most of the time I tell people, “you’re better off moving to the country and learning a trade skill there. The cost of living is far less, and people who can do specialized jobs are in really high demand. You can make a decent living far easier somewhere rural.
Dude I worked usually 25-30 a week (more during football season) while doing school full time and it was horrible. Like fortunately I was a good student but it would be impossible for many people especially in hard majors.
This reminds me of my undergraduate years. I was working 30-40 hrs a week, on top of my undergraduate studies for engineering. It was overwhelming, and it was possibly the most depressing period of my life. I had to take control of my situation to make it more manageable, and so it wouldn’t drive me crazy. I let my work know that I would have to do 1 less day of work per week, and I dropped one of my classes. This became much more manageable for me.
As for applying for jobs, don’t go into the mindset of having to apply to hundreds of jobs. Yes, it will be tough, and it will feel like you’re sending your resume to a black hole never to be seen by anyone. This is the way it felt for me. I had alot of rejections, and many more non responsive employers. Eventually I did get some interviews, and eventually a job offer.
Its important to manage your situation, and understand that your progress will be in small 1% increments. Some days you might feel like you’re moving backwards. It’s all normal.
Could always just start going part time, if for no other reason for your mental health.Â
I could *technically* probably graduate by next summer, but at this point my mental health has been complelty destroyed to the point I had to restart anti-depressants.
So know not only is my mental health non-existent, my brain is no longer protecting me from the fact that I have been a shall of a person that I once was.
Should have went to community college. 4 year schools are a total ripoff for general education
Drop down to part time and rely more on loans.
getting a real job, now or later, is more important than spending $
The grind is why most people give up. It sucks!! I’m rooting for you.
You are me two years ago. I just graduated finally. I almost threw in the towel so many times. It’s such a mind drain to do work full time and school full time. It’s actually insane to do but what option do we have. The relief I feel now is insane and I’m now so proud of me for never giving up. The thing that kept me going was that if I quit I suffered for nothing and if I finished I at least get a degree out of it. I haven’t found a job but I’m also not really looking. My degree did get me into Georgia Techs Data masters program, so that’s my next move. Try looking at specialist areas with your degree instead of generic SWE. You might have more luck.
Hugs to you. I tried to do the same. Is there any chance you can take a day off to think about your priorities and make a new plan?
Reach out to who you can for some support! You’re doing hard ass work and you need good support. I hope everything lines up for you.