Balancing Work, Studies, and Financial Pressures

Anna

Balancing work and studies, well, it’s—it’s something I’ve had to figure out the hard way. You know, I’ve been working as an assistant manager at a coffee chain for two years now. Twenty hours a week, on top of being a full-time student. And some weeks, it honestly feels like the job takes over everything.

Anna

There was a time, not too long ago, when I had back-to-back six a.m. shifts. They’re brutal, you know? Waking up before the sun, pulling on a uniform, and then diving into coursework when you’re already running on empty. And those shifts don’t just mess with my sleep—they mess with my lectures too. There’s only so many times you can miss a morning class before you start falling behind.

Anna

It’s not just me, though. A lot of students I know are in the same boat. Maintenance loans, even when you’re getting above the baseline, barely scratch the surface after you’ve paid rent. I mean, what’s left, right? Rent takes a huge chunk, and then you’ve got bills, groceries, textbooks if you can afford them. So, it’s like, if the loan isn’t enough, you’ve gotta work. And if you’re working, you’re always, always juggling something.

Anna

I remember one week, everything just kinda collided. My manager put me on extra shifts because someone called in sick. And it—it just happened to be the same week I had two course deadlines. I’d get home after a shift, brain completely fried, and still have to push through hours of writing. No time to catch up on, well, anything. I was so stressed, I couldn’t even think straight. By the time I submitted my second assignment, I honestly didn’t even know if it made sense anymore. I was just too burnt out to read it over.

Anna

The thing is, you don’t have much of a choice. The system, well, it kinda forces you into these impossible corners. You can’t not work. You can’t just, you know, take a break from studying. And the costs, the rents—everything keeps piling up. It’s exhausting.

Anna

What makes this even harder is the financial stress. Like, you’re not just juggling work and school—you’re constantly worrying about money. It’s—it’s this weight that’s always there, you know? Even when you’re trying to focus on something else.

Anna

I get some extra help with my maintenance loan, but even with that, it’s never enough. Rent takes such a massive chunk, and then there’s bills, food, traveling home. And textbooks? Honestly, they’re just not happening most of the time. So you end up picking and choosing what you can afford. And when you’re always calculating every pound, every little decision feels stressful. Should I buy a coffee with friends? Should I just skip it? It’s exhausting.

Anna

And it’s not just the numbers, it’s the way it makes you feel. Like, some of my classmates don’t even think about this stuff. Their parents help out or cover their rent, and that’s amazing for them. But when you’re in my situation, you can’t help feeling, well, different. Like, no matter how hard you try, you’re already starting from behind.

Anna

I’d say the worst part is how it creeps into every part of your life. The isolation, the feeling of missing out—it’s real. I mean, I’ve had to turn down group trips, dinner invites, even family holidays. And you can tell yourself it’s fine, that you’ve—you’ve got more important things to worry about, but deep down, it really gets to you. You just feel more and more... I don’t know, cut off.

Anna

And the mental toll? That’s huge. There have been times where everything just feels like too much. Like, no matter how hard I’m working, I’m still just treading water. I’ve dealt with depression on and off, and I know burnout way too well. There’ve been days where getting out of bed feels like this insurmountable task. And going to lectures after a bad shift? Some days, I just couldn’t do it, no matter how hard I pushed myself.

Anna

I know it’s not just me. This is something so many students go through, but it’s hard to talk about it. And it’s even harder to ask for help. Universities have started pushing programs like financial literacy workshops and emergency funds, but for a lot of us, the gap in support is still massive. Scholarships and grants—they’re out there, sure, but navigating those systems when you’re already overwhelmed? It’s not easy.

Anna

I think what really shifted things for me was finally reaching out to my lecturers for help. It wasn’t easy. I mean, asking for help—especially when you’re used to managing everything on your own—it feels like admitting failure. But honestly, it wasn’t. It—it was the opposite.

Anna

I remember the first email I sent, just explaining everything: the early shifts, the missed lectures, the deadlines stacking up. I was convinced they’d just see me as, I don’t know, someone who wasn’t trying hard enough. But they didn’t. They were understanding. Like, really understanding. And from there, things started to feel... manageable again.

Anna

It’s made me realize how important those support systems are. Universities, they—they have to do more to meet students where they’re at. Like, more accessible mental health resources are a huge one. And—and not just a poster on a notice board or a link to an online form. It needs to feel approachable, like reaching out won’t make everything harder to manage.

Anna

Because the thing is, when you’re balancing a heavy workload like mine—work, classes, caregiving—mental health can’t just be an afterthought. It’s central. Without it, everything else collapses. But for so many students, accessing that help takes too much time, too much energy, or it’s just not clear how to even begin.

Anna

I also think universities need to rethink financial support. Like, how do we make sure students don’t have to work twenty, thirty hours a week just to scrape by? Grants, scholarships, fairer maintenance loans—it—it all needs to catch up to what students are actually facing today. And I’m not saying I have all the answers. But we need more voices advocating for change. Students are carrying so much already, and there’s just no room for additional burdens.

Anna

Still, looking back, I’m proud of how far I’ve come. That resilience—it hasn’t come easy, but it’s something I hold onto. And honestly, I wouldn’t be here without the support I’ve had from a few key people. It’s taught me that sometimes, the best thing you can do is let someone else step in and help, you know? Because no one should have to do this alone.

Anna

And that’s all for today. If sharing these stories helps just one other student feel less alone, then it’s worth it. Thanks for listening, and until next time, take care of yourselves—really, really take care.