Going to college full time and having a part time job is hard for anyone. Trying to balance when you're going to study, work, have friends, and sleep is even harder. I am so thankful that my parents raised me the way they did. If you want something, you have to work for it. Life doesn't just give you handouts and a free pass to success; you have to earn it. With that being said, I pay for basically everything I own and I am damn proud of it. There are definitely ups and downs of living off minimum wage and not even being able to work as much as you can. Raise your hand if you have ever went through the Taco Bell drive thru and paid in quarters.

Having almost nothing to your name is almost a blessing. You already know you're at rock bottom and there is nowhere to go but up. Having to count every single penny you spend is exhausting, but it makes you appreciate what you purchase with those pennies that much more. I tend to work harder because I know my money is going towards something I need rather than a lavish item that I want. Sure I have a taste for the finer things, I will admit, but being able to eat and put gas in my car is a higher priority right now.

Speaking of putting gas in your car...has anyone ever received a funny look from the gas station clerk when you're only putting $5.32 in your car because it was all you could find in your purse at the moment and you need to get from point A to point B that day? It is funny because I know one day I will look back on these moments and laugh, but for now it is a struggle.

As a flat broke college student I tend to live off of the quickest food I can find and the cheapest beer on the weekends. You gotta do what you gotta do in order to survive in this messed up world and if that involves me drinking Natty light on occasion, so be it. It really is funny the things we do as broke college students. My friends and I will often debate on getting the medium or large coffee and have to look at our bank accounts before a purchase. It is just crazy the sacrifices we make and the struggles we go through.

If you ever want advice on how to save or penny pinch for a while, ask a college student. We are grade A pros at it. We can make $10 last for three weeks if we have to. In a world of late night studying and working until we are too exhausted, I completely commend my species of college students for being some tough cookies. We know how to get the job done and spend wisely. We do what we have to do in order to survive and we can have fun while doing it. Cheers to our college years, because we have our whole lives ahead of us.