Taking a seat in the MSU library, junior Ashley Mullins opens her planner, checks the time and sighs.
Mullins is one of many Morehead State students who maintain a job while attending school. She currently juggles the hectic life of preparing for her senior year and working at the McClure Pool. Mullins is majoring in criminology and taking 18 hours of course work.
Mullins says she, along with other students who both work and go to school, encounter more stress than students who only have to worry about school.
"Working and going to school is very stressful," Mullins said. "I have to manage my time well in order to get it all done."
Mullins says she uses many organization methods to stay on top of her classes and her job.
"I have a very detailed planner," Mullins said. "My friends joke that I have every second planned out. I also make a to-do list every week."
Senior Nikki Taylor says she also makes a to-do list to stay on top of everything. Taylor, a social studies education major, is employed as a server at Cracker Barrel and has a work-study position in the Camden Carroll Library's Learning Resource Center. Taylor said she keeps herself focused on each job at hand.
"I always try to stay on task," Taylor said. "Any minute I have, I try to work on homework."
Calvin Lindell, interim chair of the MSU Department of Communication, Media and Leadership Studies, says he notices no difference, academically, between working students and nonworking students.
"I think it depends on the person and how motivated they are," Lindell says.
Mullins and Taylor both agree it takes hard work and determination to keep a successful balance.
Mullins says she admires all students who can juggle both successfully.
"There have been many times I would have liked to hang out with friends instead of doing homework," Mullins says. "But I didn't and it has paid off. You just have to have the right attitude."