Gotta pay the bills

More and more college students need a job or two to help make ends meet

Of the five people sitting on your row in class, four of you work while enrolled in school.

Regardless of age, gender, race, income and even living expenses, about 80 percent of undergraduate students work while they are enrolled, according to an American Council on Education report.

In that sense, a huge majority of us are alike. The difference lies in why we need the money and what we’re spending it on.

Of the overwhelming majority of students who work, about a quarter of full-time students also work full-time, according to the study issued in 2006.

It’s no surprise that students from families with lower incomes usually work longer hours and maybe even multiple jobs just to make ends meet. Higher income families, even if parents require students to work, often look for fewer hours and have a bit of spending money in hand.

There’s no news there. The truly amazing part occurs when you read between the numbers and pull out the individuals – the students studying hard, taking leadership positions and working extra to help parents back home. These are the true heroes on this campus.

Take Ashley Bene for example. Gracing our front page, Bene has been helping her two unemployed parents to pay the bills.

And there are many others like her. Even members on this editorial board have felt the burden of paying mortgages and electric bills not in Athens.

So what can we learn from these members of society?

What seems unfathomable to most of us is reality to this group. Rather than pity them or count our own blessings, we should open our eyes to the variety of backgrounds and faces at the University. We all come from sheltered backgrounds before moving to college, and this is our chance to meet interesting people and learn from their life experiences.

You’ll find that these students rarely show bitterness. They accept the responsibility, know the ins and outs of a thrifty budget and possess an outstanding work ethic.

Or look at it this way – remember the last time you asked mom and dad for a bit more money to buy another textbook, some groceries or that cute dress downtown? Imagine your parents asking you that instead.

- Carolyn Crist for the editorial board