Impacts of Working as a College Student

AUTHOR: Charmayne Bennett
FACULTY: Jen Wallin-Ruschman
DEPARTMENT: Psychology

ABSTRACT

This study explores how working while in college impacts academic performance. As a working student, I have experienced how college has expenses beyond your time. In past research, students expressed that not having to work while in college would help ease academic stress and enhance academic performance. The reality for many students, particularly first-generation students, is that to afford books, food, and housing work is a necessity. My research explores the connections between work and academic performance for students at the College of Idaho. Using a sequential mixed methods approach I explore these connections through both quantitative and qualitative data. The first part of this study was conducted as an online survey with scaled and open-ended responses. The surveys asked questions about financial problems and knowledge, social support, feelings of depression and anxiety, and subjective happiness. The second part of the study was a semi-structured interview with questions that addressed knowledge of financial resources, time use, and academic and financial stress. Preliminary findings show that participants who are currently working expressed a lack of time for schoolwork. Findings also suggest that knowledge about academic resources at the College of Idaho is highly lacking. Through my research, I suggest potential supports and resources for working students at the College of Idaho to help them succeed in and outside the classroom.