After a long day at school, all most of us want to do is go home and sleep. Some are laden with homework, and others have sports practices and games on top of that. From 7:20 to 2:20, the students of Central High School work diligently in their classrooms, but how many others must work long shifts after school?

Janiece Smith is a sophomore at Central. She volunteers at Chattanooga State Community College’s library.

“I usually go on Fridays and on the weekend,” she explained. “That way it doesn’t affect my school as much.”

Janiece admits that she would like to have a real job, but she is too busy with school to handle it.

Often, it is difficult for working students to complete assignments to their full ability. Weekends are sacrificed for extra hours, and there is little time to rest. Although the state has limitations on the hours minors can work, many employers overlook them. Some parents will not allow their children to work because they know that school is often a full-time job.

“Students who have to work to support their families will take jobs that don’t respect their time,” confided Kevin Parsons, an English teacher at Central. “They’re the ones that come in saying, ‘Sorry, I had to work late last night.'”

Most of the time, a part-time job can be a fun experience. You can meet new friends and grow accustomed to expecting the unexpected.

“The craziest thing that’s ever happened at work was when [a customer] asked if we sold baby formula!” shared Anaca Prater, a senior at Central who works at a fast-food restaurant.

In addition, getting job experience is essential to your career later in life. However, many students at Central are overworked. Some even have to work to help their families with bills.

Nathan Dover has been working since sophomore year. Now a senior, Nathan works 30-40 hours a week.

“I’m really tired all the time,” noted Dover.

This juggling act can bury good students in a hole, and there seems to be no solution. Students have to work, and teachers have to assign work. I believe a compromise lies in better communication between students and teachers. For students who have jobs, the key to resolving this issue is often just talking to your teachers.