Alyssa Dalton
Y-Files
August 23, 2007 12:25 AM
By: Alyssa Dalton
Summer can present many fun opportunities for travel and relaxation, however for many students, summer is no longer just a vacation.
High pressure summers are proving to be increasingly common, as many students are finding the months away from school continue to carry significant worries about their education.
After all, the months away from the classroom present valuable time to earn money for rent on top of a very, very high tuition.
“Work is more intense than school and I really didn’t expect that, which leaves me and other people with less time to relax,” said Paul Russell, 19, IN second year at Brock University.
Although Mr. Russell is splitting his tuition fees with his parents, his portion leaves him working more hours during his months off than he originally planned.
“This summer didn’t really turn out like I thought it would; I’m definitely not seeing as many people that I thought I was going to see, like close friends and family,” he said.
Summer stress often begins with finding an enjoyable job, whether it’s just for the summer break or for the rest of the year.
With the high volume of students scrambling to get hired, the competition is tight.
For the ones who didn’t get hired right away, unemployment can set back their cash flow.
This poses a major problem for university students who have to pay for school.
The NDP is hoping to introduce a $10 an hour federal minimum wage in the fall when Parliament starts again.
Thornhill NDP candidate Simon Strelchik believes an increase in minimum wage would greatly help individuals earning less than they deserve, such as women, immigrants and students.
He has recently met many students who are holding two or three jobs just to get by, he said.
A petition will be presented in Parliament once it reaches 500 signatures by Parkdale High Park NDP MP Peggy Nash.
As a 19-year-old Carleton University student balancing two summer jobs, I certainly appreciate Mr. Strelchik’s dedication.
Balancing two demanding jobs leaves little time for relaxation. There are times when I come home after working a 10 to 12-hour day and realize summer, unfortunately, is definitely more exhausting and frantic than eight months away at university.
With an overloaded work schedule, it’s important to choose carefully among the barbecues, beach days and cottage adventures, as late nights out result in less down time.
Not all students are having a stressful summer. Jennifer Hunter-Wells, 18, is transferring this fall from Queen’s University to the University of Toronto and believes the transition holds several key positives.
“Now that I’m going to live at home instead of away, I know I have more time to hang out with everyone, so in a way it’s like my summer has been extended... indefinitely. Plus I don’t have to spend time buying a second bed, dresser, etc,” says the second-year student.
She finds this summer a lot more relaxing than she initially thought it would be.
“But I wouldn’t say no to an extra week or two with no commitments, just pure do-whatever-I-want time,” Ms Hunter-Wells added.
Her twin sister, Katie, working as a lifeguard, admitted she has more hours than expected, but doesn’t mind because she loves her job.
“I guess that makes the difference. I probably would find working the same hours I work now really stressful if my job was something I didn’t like,” she said.
While the trend of summer stress may continue to increase over the years, we must all deal with it. It’s essential to stay encouraged and keep your head up.
I, among many others, am still waiting for my relief.
Take comfort in knowing you’re not the only one.
Waterloo University student Eric Pisani certainly has the right frame of mind. When asked for his general thoughts of this past summer, he said, “Generally, this summer has been the longest one of my life [from the first week of April to first week of September].”
“It’s had a bit of everything, so for that, it’s been great. I wish I could have done more things, earned a bit more at my job, etc, but hey, who am I to complain?”
Alyssa Dalton is a journalism student at Carleton University and a member of the York Region Media Group’s y-team. You can contact her c/o dteetzel@yrmg.com