Students Balance School and Activities

Student job rates at Mandan High

Don’t have a job

37.3%

Have a job

62.7%

In a poll of 107 students, a clear majority of students that responded have jobs.

Many students at Mandan High School have the responsibility of balancing work, and school. Could the effects of having “too much to handle” be hurting students instead of helping?

Lots of American students around the country work everyday to support their families or even to support themselves.

Working toward saving for college, buying a car, paying for gas, or having money to spend freely allows students their own freedom and teaches them how to be financially stable.

“I have a job due to the fact that I have to pay for college in a year, and I have bills to pay such as a car bill, insurance, my phone, gas, a dog, and any extra food and clothing I purchase.” Adriana Johnson, junior, at Mandan High School, said.

Waking up early in the morning, going to school then to work for many hours after may become a strenuous activity for some students.

TJ Seibel, a junior at Mandan High School spoke on her day after school “I usually work for 6-7 hours after I get out after 6th period.”

According to the article “What Is the Average Number of Work Hours Per Week?” by Alison Doyle, the average work day is seven hours a day.

— Andi Nelson, Reporter

Under those conditions, If a student went to school for eight hours then worked for seven more each day, they are “working” on average 75 hours a business week.

Not all students work though, many participate in sports. Playing sports can also be considered a major responsibility in teens’ lives. Competing takes a lot of effort and time.

A junior at Mandan, Wyatt Piehl participates in Football, Basketball, and Track.

In his interview he said the hardest parts are the training all year round, the long practices, all while trying to balance school.

“I have weights in the early mornings even during the offseason. Then practice after school for about 2-3 hours, after I go home and I strictly work on homework so I don’t fall behind.” Piehl said.

Having many responsibilities can be tiring, and overall stressful at times, especially while trying to stay caught up in school and keeping good grades so you are eligible to do school activities.

Tj Seibel talks about how she deals with stress and said “When I am stressed out, I try and spend time alone and hangout with people who make me happy, it really helps me feel more relaxed.”

Student job and sports at Mandan High

38.7% have a job and participate in sports

61.3% don’t participate in sports and have a job

In a poll of 107 students, not very many students balance work and sports.