Tuition. Money. Student loans. Debt. Job. Scholarship. Grants.

These are only a few of the words that come to mind when you think about how you’re going to pay for college.

If you are a full-time student and are working your way through school by having a job, I salute you and want to let you know that you’re not in this alone.

I, just like several thousands of other students across the nation, know what it’s like to have to put in twice the effort into everything you do because otherwise, you would be unable to attend school.

Some students have day shifts and go to school at night and others work at night and go to school by day. Regardless of what your schedule may be, you are exerting both your physicality and mentality at both of your jobs- being a student and your job outside of school.

I know that sometimes you have to sacrifice going out with friends or a couple of hours of sleep to stay up studying. I know that there are times when you’re unable to treat yourself to a new pair of shoes or a dinner out because you need that paycheck to cover rent or tuition. I know it’s tiring. I know that sometimes the stress is overwhelming and you just want to quit right then and there.

Well, let me tell you something- don’t.

Don’t quit.

Every time you think about quitting, think about why you are, quite literally, driving yourself to the point of exhaustion where you just collapse. Think about how many “you cant’s”, “you’re not good enough”, “you’ll never make it” that people have said to us. Think about how far you’ve come and how hard you have worked to get to this very moment. Think about your parents and all the hard work and sacrifices they’ve made to help you become independent and successful.

You are working two jobs and going to school so that you can move up in life. You are staying up until two in the morning writing a research paper and then clocking into work at 6am to earn that money to pay for rent. You are sacrificing a night out with friends in order to save that money to fill up your gas tank.

You are, slowly, but surely, becoming an independent, self-sustaining and successful young adult. You are working your butt off now to be rewarded later. Your hard work, sacrifice and dedication are not going unnoticed.

This is why you mustn’t quit. This is why you need to continue being a working student. You are working towards a degree, yes, but you are also working towards a better life down the road.

If you are a working student, I congratulate you. Thank you for being an example to follow for our younger generations. Thank you for being a leader and taking the initiative to do things on your own and become a humble and wise person of character.

To all working students, I applaud you.