I am currently a full-time student with a full-time job. My school hours consist of me staying on campus until early afternoon most days. Once I leave, I head home to catch up on a couple hours of sleep before I head to Huntsville Hospital, where I work as a tech, to start my shift that lasts from 7 PM to 7 AM.
While working as a tech, I take vital signs and provide general care to the patients on my floor.
It can be very stressful at times to manage my sleep schedule alongside my school schedule. One thing that I have found that helps me is by creating a schedule I can manage on my phone. When I follow my own schedule, I am able to get the rest I need for my personal wellbeing and complete my school work.
One thing that helps me push through is the fact I have a good support system. When I first started working and doing school, I got drained. I never wanted to hang out with anyone on days I had off. I just wanted to be alone and sleep.
During that time, I was falling behind in school and losing friends. However, with my encouraging support system, my mom and brother, they were able to pull me out of the hole I had fallen in.
The reason I decided to be a full-time student with a full-time job is not only for the money. Instead, I wanted to get my foot in the door so I could pursue my dreams of being a nurse and helping others.
While my journey at times is difficult, I know I am not alone on this path because many community college students are also working while trying to further their education.