Students nowadays have much more on their plate than students did 10 years ago. With the recent developments in technology, the people in this fast-passed society need to sprint to keep up.
When my parents were in college, they both had part-time jobs but that was just to earn extra spending money on the side. School was a lot cheaper back then as well, so they didn’t have to worry too much about tuition payments.
Shifting back to the present, students need to get a part-time job to supplement the rise in tuition. Some even have take on two jobs to pay for schooling. On top of that, those students are forced to take less classes so that they can work more hours. Finally, since students take less classes, it takes a lot longer for them to complete their college degrees.
I am one of those unfortunate students. But my situation is slightly different. Currently, I am enrolled in 16 credits at KCC: history, Japanese, two journalism classes, which are both writing intensive and Hawaiian Studies, which as the first online course I’ve ever taken.
Along with that, I work at KCC’s Office of Student Activities (OSA) as a student assistant. OSA plans and executes many of the school functions that deal with student engagement.
For example, we coordinate with the Board of Student Activities to plan events such as the talent show, Slam Poetry Festival and the monthly Ice Cream Socials. OSA is also the place that you’d go to for student IDs, U-Passes and discounted movie tickets.
My second job is at the campus newspaper, The Kapi‘o Newspress, as the assistant copy editor and video editor.
Job No. 3 is at Bath & Body Works as a sales associate. I was originally hired as a seasonal worker but luckily I got to stay on board as a regular.
That sounds like a lot, but in my free time – what little there is – I also help out at Kaimuki High School’s JROTC program.
For all four years of my high school life I was actively involved in JROTC, becoming the battalion commander, the top dog, in my senior year. Time flew by so fast that graduation in 2010 came and went. Now that I’m in college, I really miss high school, wishing I could have done more. That’s why I try to visit the JROTC cadets as often as I can to lend a helping hand.
The reason I’m living this insanely busy lifestyle is because I need to pay for tuition all by myself. On top of that, I’m going to be moving out of my parents’ house soon and I’ve got to pay rent somehow.
So how on earth do I manage three jobs and 16 credits while maintaining a 3.69 GPA? It’s simple really, because it all comes down to is time management. Hence the color-coded schedule I carry around with me.
My life is like a circus act. Every day I need to figure out exactly what projects need to get done and prioritize them accordingly.
Mondays and Wednesdays are my easier days. I work at OSA from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. and I head on over to the Kapi‘o after that. Eventually I’ll mosey on home to do chores and homework.
Now, Tuesdays and Thursdays are my crazy days. I kick off the morning bright and early with a 7:45 a.m. history class. My last class of the day would be Japanese ending at 5 p.m. The journalism classes are in between and I go to the Kapi‘o to work during all my breaks. Once all my classes are done, I head on over to the Kapi‘o again to finish up work while I wait for my ride to pick me up.
Yes, I said ride because I don’t know how to drive myself. It’s one of the many things I have just sitting on my bucket-list. With my busy-bee schedule, I just never had the time to learn.
Thankfully there’s no work to be done at KCC on Friday, Saturday and Sunday so those days are typically reserved for any extra homework, my online Hawaiian Studies class, household duties and of course, work at Bath & Body Works.
But of course – there’s always a but to things – I’m normally doing some sort of event on weekends whether it be a family event or for JROTC.
To make sure I am able to balance the events of my life, I write everything out on calendars.
The first is the KCC planner that anyone can get for free in the fall through OSA which holds all of my KCC related deadlines.
The second calendar is on my Android smart phone and it dates all other events such as doctor’s appointments, or family gatherings. As long as I have one or the other on hand, I can’t go wrong.
All in all, there is no such thing as R&R for me. Especially since I’m 4 feet 9 inches, I have to do so much more than sprint to keep up with society. But everyday is a challenge and I’ll face each one head on, as I am more than willing to adapt and overcome.