Between the increasing cost of living and rising tuition costs, many students have to work while also attending school. At Monmouth and other universities, the balance between school and work has become a defining part of the college experience. Our editorial staff reflected on their own experiences balancing jobs, coursework, and mental health, discussing how manageable (or not) that balance really is.
When asked whether they currently have a job, most said yes. Some work on or off campus, while others have stepped away from working due to overwhelming schedules. These differences shaped each editor’s perspective on how effectively they juggle work responsibilities alongside academics.
One editor, who worked last fall, admitted that the balance was simply unsustainable.
“Trying to balance my work schedule with getting assignments done was too much of a hassle to keep up,” they shared. “I tried my best, but it wasn’t a good fit.”
Another editor felt more confident, noting the flexibility of their job: “My job is very flexible with hours, and I usually work on weekends, so my work schedule rarely overlaps with my school schedule.”
A third editor fell somewhere in the middle, “Sometimes it can be a bit challenging when it comes to going to class and having a shift right after. But I make it work.”
When it came to balancing school and work, editors had developed their own strategies.
One said they tried to get assignments out of the way before the weekend, while another explained that scheduling intentionally makes all the difference.
A third editor emphasized staying present: “If I’m at work, then I focus on work. If I’m doing school work, then I put my energy into that.” They added a reminder many students need to hear: “It’s helpful to know that all of this juggling is temporary.”
When asked whether working affects their academic performance, editors offered different perspectives. For one, work added more stress. For others, they didn’t notice a difference.
The biggest cost of balancing work and school isn’t grades, but also the impact on mental health.
Editors who struggled with balancing responsibilities said they noticed more stress, irritability, and emotional exhaustion. One reflected on how overwhelmed they became: “Over time, I just became more irritated and stressed… I felt like at the time I was just being a baby about it, but in hindsight every crashout I had was valid.”
Another editor noted how anxiety increases when work overlaps with school deadlines.
Still, some editors have learned to adapt. “It really depends on the day,” one shared. “If there’s alot going on, then yes, it gets overwhelming and stressful. But, being a college student who needs to have a job to survive, it’s just something I have to do.” They added that although the balance makes life harder, it has also helped them “multitask, manage stress, and come out on the other side feeling rewarded.”
As editors reflected, it became clear that whether a student works because they want to or because they have to, balancing work and school is an ongoing challenge that affects academic performance, time management, and mental health. Some students thrive under pressure, while others struggle to make the pieces fit.
These conversations highlight something that many students feel: balancing work and school is hard.
