Many University of Memphis students are spreading themselves thin everyday, trying to balance a full-time job, a full-time class load and, if they're lucky, a social life.
Gary Donhardt, director of Institutional Research at The University of Memphis, said students sometimes get frustrated and give up too soon, thinking they can't maintain a successful balance, and leave school in hopes of making more money working.
"The myth is everybody is dropping out of school because they're getting great jobs," Donhardt said.
Meaghan Paulhamus, international studies sophomore major, said she works full-time because it's a necessity. Paulhamus said she spends 30 hours a week at work and is enrolled in 15 hours of classes this semester.
"I need to work those many hours (for) financial reasons," Paulhamus said.
Malinda McDaniel, Student Relations and Orientation Services interim director, said incoming freshman are encouraged to no more than work part-time hours.
"We usually encourage students not to work more than 20 hours," McDaniel said. "As students have more and more hours, their grades tend to suffer."
Paulhamus said despite her situation, she received all As last semester and is currently in good standing this year.
"I take harder classes," Paulhamus said. "I thrive on a challenge. This is second nature to me."
For some students, however, the challenge is not such a thrill.
Junior computer engineer major Franco Levi said as soon as he wakes up, it's time to go to class, and then it's off to work.
"Usually, I get up at 7 a.m.," Levi said. "Around 1:45 p.m., I come home and go to work. I'll get home around 11:15 p.m., start my homework at midnight and then go to bed at 3 a.m."
"School, home, change (clothes), (then) work," Levi said referring to the sequence of his daily routine. "I mostly work 40 hours a week," he said. "(If) we have overtime, I work up to 60 hours a week."
Levi said he is also taking 14 hours of classes this spring.
"It's hard," Levi said. "I don't get enough rest until the weekend. If there is a test, I get less sleep."
Donhardt said he thought the reason some students work is simply to keep up with an expensive lifestyle.
"Maybe students were used to working in high school and trying to maintain a material lifestyle, and they get into college and try to maintain it," Donhardt said.
Tammy Thomas, junior business management major, said there just aren't enough hours in the day.
"I really don't have any spare time," Thomas said. "I work 50 hours a week doing clerical work. I'm always in a rush."
Thomas works more than double the hours suggested by McDaniel.
Donhardt said students who have part-time or full-time jobs miss out on what the actual focus should be -- graduating.
"Part-time and full-time jobs distract them from (their) ultimate goal, which is to graduate in four years," Donhardt said. "They should focus on what's really important, (the) degree."
Thomas, Levi and Paulhamus all said they have noticed that their busy schedules have affected their bodies.
"I'm not as swift," Thomas said. "I've slowed down, and I'm always sleepy."
Levi said even if he tried he could not sleep the recommended eight hours per day.
Paulhamus said she tries to work out and eat well to make up for her lack of rest.
"Lately, I get three or four hours of sleep a night," Paulhamus said. "I eat pretty healthy, lots of fruits and vegetables, take Vitamin C and exercise."
Donhardt said he advises students to be patient.
"My hunch is they get out (of school), get a full-time job and can achieve a far greater financial (earning) than they could trying to stretch it out for five or six years."
