Entering High School can be very exhausting for many students, so imagine how students who have jobs to go to after school with 5 hour shifts and getting out with barely any sleep must feel. With all that being said, it could be very stressful and lead to many negative habits like lack of sleep, poor academic performance and more.
Numerous upperclassmen have expressed their thoughts about the fact that balancing both can be challenging. Since the last two years of high school are recognized as the most complicated, with huge exams coming up including the ACT and SAT and college applications, things can pile up fast. Therefore, it can be frustrating to balance everything out, especially with not having enough hours to sleep, not having any time to get work done, or study for tests but that doesn’t mean it isn’t possible.
“I work at Mojitos Modern Mexican grill, the reason I started working is to obviously gain that work experience at a young age and gain a sense of responsibility. I think compared to most students with a job, I think I handle [it] pretty good with my grades, showing up and having everything done. With exams too I think I do pretty well with just managing both. I think obviously it will be easier to do that without a job but I do think I do a pretty good job handling that,” said Donovan Rodriguez (11).
Many Heritage students seem to have adapted into their environment with being employed while still attending school. Rodriguez is one of the many students who seems to have prepared himself with school and to try to not fall behind on his school work and his studies. Although it can be a challenge Rodriguez seemed to make it work with the sense of responsibility he has developed while being employed.
“I work at Pinnacle Springs retirement community. The reason why I’m working is, for starters, I wanted to feel what it was like to have a responsibility and make my own money. I thought it would just be a little job, nothing serious but I’ve made amazing connections with my residents and it’s motivated me to keep working. In all I feel like I do a good job managing school and my education, although sometimes it can be frustrating because I just want to go home and sleep. I balance both by getting off work at 7:30 everyday so I think it’s super chill only working a few hours after school and after I go home [I] do my homework. It becomes a cycle and [a habit you have to learn],” said Alicia Salinas (12).
Although Salinas has been open about having difficulties with adjusting to this new lifestyle, she has expressed that she has learned to turn her schedule into a habit, therefore, making her more responsible in balancing her education and work place. Salinas has explained that this habit won’t be her life forever, suggesting that her hard work will pay off.
These two students are examples that even with having a job it is possible to still get work done, and develop responsibility through that work experience as well. They have both gained responsibility by managing their time and creating habits that better themselves. This shows that the obstacle of having a job during school is a challenge that many can get through.
