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College-Age Workers: How Do Balance a Busy Work Schedule With Poor Hours and Life? And Not Get Depressed?

As a college-student working a mostly seasonal shift, I tend to get the worst hours and worst days at my coffee shop -- Usually I always close on weekends, and usually only get one day off per five, six, seven days I work. This last summer, I felt like I was only working, even though I had about 33 hours on average a week. Because I'd get home late (considered late for me, considering I always go to bed at 10) from closing at around 11, I'd sleep until about nine. I find that I dread going to work and feel like I can't do anything, that I'm counting down the hours. I put a whole lot of stress and unhappiness into any service industry job I've had. How do you balance feeling like all you do is work and sleep, and manage a liveable life in between? What mental changes can I make to enjoying life as a whole more, and not dread going to work?

Public Comments

1. Just remember this is a means to an end and once you graduate...hopefully you will never have to work in a depressing job like the one you are in now. Set a goal and focus on it. This is a temporary situation and just remember that at all times....take some time off if you can also to recharge the batteries!
2. when life is down paused and think. u wont be living like this forever. when u graduate life will be better. just imagine maybe 2 years from now will all this matters? most probally not. so take it easy. worst come to worst take a sick leave- the truth is you are sick since cannot cope with work emotionally. take a rest. enjoy it to the fullest and start working after the rest. take everything easy. mental changes is trick the body to think that u are having a great time. i see that you have already tell your self that u will have a teribble and tired day even before the day began. so when u say u cant survive u wont. but if u say i can do it..surely u have a 50/50 percent. good luck.
3. I have to be honest. It has been four years since I got my degree, and I still live like that. There is hope in it, though. It will pay off someday. You are probably doing it to survive and prepare for the future. Think of it as a loving cause, not just for your survival, but for your family someday.
4. I'm in the same boat as you. I work all year around; about 25-30 a week during the school year and 40 or more, during the summer. I also go to school full-time. During the school year, between my job and school, I have at least 4 days a week that are longer then 12 hours (either consent work or school; or combo of both.) I got really depressed for a while, even to the point where I started talking to a counselor about my feelings. She told me, that my hard work will pay off in the future and I have to continue to stick to my goals. However, she made it clear to take time for myself and not feel guilty about it. So, do just that. Is there anyway you can get and extra day off from the coffee shop or switch hours w/ a co-worker. You work hard and you deserve to play hard to. Make plans for a day trip or to go to a concert. Don't be afford to ask for one day off from your job, you deserve it.
5. My simple answer is - don't work. If you can afford not to work, I'd definitely suggest it.