This month, four years of working on my Bachelor's degree comes to a close. I have studied and planned for the future while carrying the weight of student loans and the stress of working while being a full time undergrad.
It's been a difficult road. Like me, over 70% of full-time college undergraduates work jobs. 20% of these students work more than 35 hours a week. To be considered a full-time undergrad you must take at least 12 units per semester or quarter. Most universities recommend two or three hours of studying outside the classroom for every unit students are enrolled in. So your average full time student is expected to study for 24 to 36 hours weekly.
On top of that most college students get around 6 to 7 hours of sleep nightly. Let's not even talk about extracurriculars.
Where are full-time college students supposed to fit in resume refining, applications and interviews?
So you'd think I'd be excited to walk away from all of this, carrying my degree. Instead, I am more stressed out and anxious than ever. In 2015, 71% of undergrads will leave university with $35,000 in student loan debt. And six months after they graduate, payments start being due.