Between classes and homework deadlines and part-time shifts, many Delta College students are learning that time management is not optional.
Students say balancing work and school often means sacrificing free time, sleep and social life just to stay on track.
“If we’re able to manage school and work, we have to put aside hanging out with friends,” said Edwing Ramos Miranda, a Delta College student who works at a movie theater.
Students said that working while also attending their classes can force them into making tough choices. Many say they sacrifice sleep, time with others and even personal downtime just to keep up with their studies as well as making money.
Christian Warren, a student who works as a Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) said he has more flexibility because he works and can choose his own shifts.
“I don’t balance it too well,” Warren said. “I have a lot of the time in the world to study, but I’m not truly studying as hard as I should.”
Another student said working while attending Delta College is not a choice, it is necessary to earn money.
“Sometimes going to bed — I go to bed in like four hours and then I’m up again,” said Ryan Anger.
Students that were interviewed said they work to pay for rent, gas, food and tuition costs such as books. Some students also said they work to help support their families while staying enrolled in school.
While their jobs vary, students said the challenge remains the same — finding enough hours in the day. Many students said balancing responsibilities means constantly checking deadlines, adjusting shifts when possible and learning how to manage their time more efficiently.
For Sarah Maimome, balancing work and school meant completely reshaping her life. Maimome, a non-traditional student returning to college after 10 years, said she decided to come back to school when her son began grade school and was gone most of the day.
“I figured I would just fill that time with going back to school,” Maimome said.
She said she did not really have downtime. As a homemaker, parent and student, her evenings were often spent doing homework after putting her son to bed.
“My downtime was always spent doing schoolwork,” she said. “I’d put him to bed at 8 and then start my homework.”
Maimome said she was also working internships on campus, which allowed her to use slow moments at the front desk to complete assignments. On her days off, she often went to coffee shops to focus because she said she could get distracted at home.
She admitted that juggling school, work and family eventually led to burnout. Maimome said she utilized Delta College’s mental health services on campus during her final semesters, which helped her immensely.
She said having a strong support system also made a difference. Her partner, her parents and her partner’s parents helped pick up her son from school or watch him on weekends so she could catch up on assignments.
For Lex Estrada, downtime looks different. Estrada said outside of work and school she attends church on Wednesdays and Sundays, which she considers part of her routine.
“Sunday is probably the only day I feel the most relaxed,” Estrada said.
Estrada said in between getting off work and going to school she sometimes takes a nap or cleans the house before heading back out.
Heather Maloy, dean of Adult Education at Delta College, said she understands the challenge of balancing work and school firsthand. Maloy said she had five jobs during her first semester in college, working both on and off campus wherever she could find employment.
Maloy said one of the most convenient options for students is finding work on campus. She said programs such as the internship program and the ambassador program through the Workforce Development Office are designed to help students gain work experience while maintaining flexibility in their schedules.
