Recently, I have come across an article called, 'If You Don't have a College Job, You Can't Complain About College Stress.' As a full-time student without a job, I would like to clarify. Just because I don't have a job while at college, that doesn't mean I am not stressed nor am I spoiled. I am lucky enough that my parents still support me as much as they can as I go through my college years and allow me to get the most from my college experience.
1. Just because I don't have to worry about money much, doesn't mean I don't stress.
Yes, I get it. Students with part-time jobs do have to work between their school and work schedules, but non-working students also have other responsibilities besides school.
2. I have more to do than classes.
I do a lot more things around campus and the community besides going to school. For example, I work on a crew for a TV show on campus and also write these articles. Being involved in these things are helping me gain experience for when I do get a job.
3. I don't buy much when I go shopping.
Whenever my friends and I go shopping, we usually don't buy much, if anything at all. We mainly go to spend time together off of campus. No one said you had to spend money when you go to the mall. It's just a place to walk around and keep yourself busy for pretty much free.
4. I actually do know how to manage money and time great, thanks.
While in high school, I did have a job. There are a few reasons I did not carry it into my college career. The first reason being I'm six hours away from it. While I probably could get a similar job here, it makes it more difficult when you have to take the big breaks off because housing closes and when you do ask off to go home, you're asking off for weeks at a time. Not the greatest way to get a good job.
5. I'm not able to socialize 24/7.
My friends have classes and I do too. We all have to be responsible enough to take a step back and make sure we get the work done at a reasonable time. Just because I don't have a job doesn't mean that I am free to do as I please all the time. I have mandatory things to be at outside of school, my whole Friday afternoons are dedicated to getting experience for my career. When my friends and I do hang out it is for lunch, dinner, or very late at night.
6. Every major is difficult.
I do not care what major you have. College is hard. While some majors may require different things with classes that may be harder to some, other majors that do not fall into the category of "difficult" are still in fact difficult. We are all just young adults trying to get the job that we want to have for the rest of our lives. Each major is pressure packed and difficult in their own ways.
7. Finding cheaper meals.
Meals on campus are expensive, even in the cafeteria. The plan that I currently have is 10 meals a week. It includes $400 to spend on campus like Chick-Fil-A. If you take out that, it is $3,584 (that's the cheapest plan option). If you divide that by 180 (10 meals for the 18 weeks) it is $17.69 for one meal. Even if we add the friends/parent meals it includes (which I have not used any of and are kind of useless unless you have family close) they still even out to $15.61 a meal. Tell me how that is cheaper than getting a $5 meal at McDonald's.
8. I do feel bad to an extent.
I told my parents before I came to college that I wanted to try to take care of my own expenses to the extent that I could. They have told me how thankful they are for this, but they have also told me that they don't want me getting a job. They want me to enjoy my college and to get the experience that will help me receive a better job once I am graduated.
9. No, I'm not spoiled.
Honestly, I am far from it. I do not get everything I ask for. I pace when I buy things for myself. The first place I go to a store is the sale section. I do not get whatever I want by making a phone call to my mom and dad. I try my best to earn what I want, not just asking for it to be handed to me.
