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Student Life

From Textbooks To Checkbooks And Into The Real World

I'm a part-time employee who does not need to hear I'm not making enough money because the pay-stubs show it.

Breon Cummings

Sep 26, 2016

Vincennes University

From Textbooks To Checkbooks And Into The Real World

J. Stor Daily

Being in your 20s and working part-time jobs to live has been getting some real shade from society. I hear from other people, "When are you going to start making real money?" Yet, they are the ones with their cars being repossessed and barely making ends meet. What does "real money" even mean? Do they mean start a career? Well no apologies will be given from us, the ones chasing their dreams the way society drew it up. "You can't get a decent job without a degree". So when we go to college in pursuit of a degree, we are shamed for the jobs we accept while enrolled?

Being a college student and working part-time jobs is all some of us can do before starting careers. We all have dreams, whether it's to be a CEO of a major company or even the manager of your favorite store, but you have to start from the bottom and work our way up to the top. When you walk across that stage and receive your diploma from high school, you are thrown into the real world. You start taking on responsibilities: purchasing a new vehicle, taking on your own phone bill, or rent for your new apartment. Degree seeking students like myself are not able to dedicate 40+ hours to a job yet and if some do it's overwhelming. I came across people who went to work after high school with no intentions of achieving a degree and some who did achieve a degree, but do not really do anything with it.

So accepting a decent paying job that pays bills and allows us student to survive is subject to shame? You can shame me because I know I'm headed in the right direction, but don't shame the others like me trying to build a strong future for themselves. If society didn't make it so hard to find a job or succeed in anything in life without a career, maybe I would be living in a bigger apartment with maybe an extra dog or two. Yes, it is possible to start a career without a degree even a diploma, but that involves sacrifices that me and I'm sure large numbers of others are not willing to make on our dreams.So yes I'm going to continue working desk jobs, serving jobs, and even retail until I'm ready to take the next step in my career plans. And yes, I will continue to take my time with my plans, because like everyone says, "Rome wasn't build in a day".

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From Textbooks To Checkbooks And Into The Real World

I'm a part-time employee who does not need to hear I'm not making enough money because the pay-stubs show it.

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Or at least try to do.

1. I will wake up (sorta) on time for class.

2. I will look decent for class.

3. I will go to the gym more.

4. I will go to the library and study more.

5. I will meet new people.

For those long nights that turn into mornings when the struggle is real.

1. Walk in motivated and ready to rock

2. Disappointed you let it get this bad

3. Distracted: When a 10-Minute Break Becomes an Hour

4. When the Yearning for Sleep Sneaks Up

5. In the words of Lorelai Gilmore "Coffee, Coffee, Coffee"

Oh, so done.

You need sleep, but also have 13 things due in the span of 4 days.

1. When it's December 1 and you have seven things due, three exams, and haven't slept in three days.

2. So you stress.

3. And cry.

4. Then call your mom to cry some more.

5. After the pep talk, you feel determined to get everything done.

6. But, now you're tired.

7. And really hungry.

8. Suddenly, it's 2 a.m. and you have only written three sentences and your paper is due in the morning.

9. You've made it to Friday... somehow.

10. Then Sunday hits and you find yourself back at the Lib.

11. So you cry some more.

12. But, you fight through the tears to get everything done because you're determined.

13. In the end, you feel on top of the world because you made it through the last week of class alive.

14. But, now it's finals week so good luck.

The ultimate list and gif guide to a college student's brain during finals.

What does the world outside the library look like?

Can I read this entire book tonight?

I should have gone to class more often.

Did the professor even teach this?

What is the lowest grade I can get on this exam and still pass the class?

Should I just drop out of school now?

Finals are ruining Christmas.

Just wrote three sentences so time for a break.

Need. More. Coffee.

What is sleep?

I'm too stupid for college.

Brain hurts.

Time for a Facebook Break.

I think I'm dying.

When will I ever need this information in the real world?

I can't read any of my notes.

I need my mom.

When was the last time I showered?

I need study snacks.

The struggle is so real right now.

"I want to thank Google, Wikipedia, and whoever else invented copy and paste. Thank you."

1. I'm so tired. I need a nap. Maybe I can sleep with my eyes open in class? Or pretend I'm not napping?

2. We have a test today? Why didn't anyone tell me? Did I know this?!

3. Can I quit school yet? It's only October, and I need a vacation.

4. The struggle is so real.

5. I'm so broke. SOS.

6. Stressed? Eat everything you own in your pantry and stuff your face with all your feelings.

7. "Did we have anything due in class today? Homework? Quiz? Test?" "Not that I know of..."

8. I need food. Where is the closest place to get food? I need it stat.

9. This is the longest day of my life. I need a drink, or two, or three.

10. Sleep? What is sleep? What a foreign concept.

11. When someone suggests going and studying in the library, let alone studying in general.

12. When the cafeteria or student center is packed and you can't find a seat anywhere so you literally have to sit in an abandoned corner.

13. When you see someone you used to hook up with. They see you, and approach you; so you have to pretend like everything is normal.

14. When you get your exam and realize you didn't study as much as you should have.

15. When you crush it on an exam or paper that you totally bullshitted.

16. I need a grande, extra strong coffee to get me through today.

17. When the professor announces you have a project due the following week with no instruction on what it's on and how to do it.

18. Is it Friday yet? Where's the weekend when you need it most?

19. It's freezing in here. I feel like I'm sitting in an igloo. I should have brought a jacket or worn long pants.

20. Did I remember my book? Damn, I forgot the book, and of course I need it for that quiz in class.

21. I would pay a million dollars to not go to class today; or actually never again.

22. I need a hoverboard to ride to class. Maybe then I wouldn't be running 15 minutes late to class every day.

23. Oh she/he's cute! I wonder if they're single. Who are they texting? They're BF/GF? I wonder if they think I'm cute. Could they be a potential new bae?

24. Why is there never any parking? I pay thousands of dollars a year for one parking spot to be open.

25. When it feels like you've been in class for an hour and you look at your phone and it has only been five minutes (I'm crying on the inside).

26. When the professor asks if there are any more questions at the end of class and someone raises their hand.

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