OCR Text |
Show WORKING HARD TO BE A STUDENT BY KYLEE EHMANN /STAFF WRITER PHOTO COURTESY OF OLIVER ANDERSON w ake up, work out, do homework, go to class, finish work, complete more homework, go to bed and repeat. This describes a typical day for Oliver Anderson, a senior in sociology and human development. Anderson works as a Resident Advisor for the service house in Officer's Circle and as the director of student advocacy for ASUU. He said between his two jobs he works an average of 30 hours per week, in addition to his volunteer activities on campus. Anderson said working on campus has helped him see the resources the U has to offer students. He's also received training on wellness and social awareness. "The university has given me so much in my opportunities': he said. "I'm able to feel like I'm part of something bigger than me:' Although he has "never been happier," Anderson said his "overall wellness isn't the best" One of the biggest struggles he faces is trying to get enough sleep each night. "You can be busy, but if you start cutting into your sleep, then you will perform far less than you can': he said. Anderson said working has impacted his social life as well. "I really don't have a personal life': he said. "I don't have the time to date." He feels working this much doesn't allow him to focus as much as he would like to on his academic success either, but he is currently comfortable with his GPA. "The less time I have, the better I have trained myself for crunch time because I know that's when I work best," Anderson said. "Working a lot has helped me understand where my focus is best applied:' ASUU compensates around a third of his tuition and provides an end-of-the-year stipend. His RA position with the U's Housing and Residential Education covers his housing and board as well as his meals. For the rest of his tuition, Anderson uses money he earned as a summer orientation leader for the U and Pell grants (government-paid loans that do not have to be repaid). Even working as much as he does, Anderson's budget isn't ideal. "I don't have any pocket money because even that [ASUU stipend] I get goes right back into paying off loans, so it kind of just keeps me afloat': he said. "I'm comfortable, but I don't have enough money to go out and do things and explore, which I'm fine with:' He believes it's important for students to analyze which aspects of their lives are being hurt and which are benefited by working. Anderson said using a "wellness wheel" is a good way to look at what parts of your life may need improvement. This is a tool that looks at your holistic lifestyle and well-being in seven areas: financial, environmental, spiritual, emotional, intellectual, physical and social. He also said a good on-campus resource for students struggling to balance work and school is the Student Wellness Center. "Always ask for help': Anderson said. "I think when people are working they take this sense of independence and maturity, but you'll always need that support' According to the National Center for Education Statistics and the U.S. Department of Labor, the cost of college has risen 1,120 percent since 1978. And in an analysis by Randy Olson, a graduate student at Michigan State University, in 1979 the average full-time student had to work about 203 hours per year at a full-time job to pay for tuition. In 2013, the same student would have to work 1,420 hours to pay for schooling. Anderson said, "In our society and this campus it's almost impossible not to work because of tuition, families, car payments': k.ehmann@chronicle.utah.edu @Ehmannky Examining the poor college student"stereotype BY MARY ROYAL PHOTO BY COLE TAN /STAFF WRITER person in their 20s sits in a run-down, one-bedroom apartment, eating ramen and drinking a glass of water. The light flickers overhead, and the television picture cuts in and out. This image is stereotypically attributed to college students. But some at the U say they're tired of being lumped into this category. While many aren't rolling in money, they are far from living in the type of squalor stereotypes would have you believe. Christopher Sanderson, a junior in metallurgical engineering, said he works while going to school. "It gives me a sense of responsibility for my money," he said. "It helps me to realize the value of a dollar, and I am less likely to spend it on useless things:' While many students hate the poor college student stereotype, a handful said it's generally true. Samin Mirfakhrai, an undeclared freshman, is one of those students. "I think we are too quick to jump up and say that we are being ' unfairly labeled," Mirfakhrai said. "Let's call it what it is. We are college students. No one expects us to be rich. We are going to school to better ourselves in the future, and that includes our financial situations." Ann House, coordinator at the U's Personal Money Management Office, is a strong advocate for students saving money. "There is nothing wrong with being frugal and money-conscious," she said. "That shouldn't be perceived as being a negative stereotype but rather a smart behavior:' m.royal@chronicle.utah.edu @mary_royal A 6 { THECHRONY I NEWS I OPINION I ARTS I SPORTS I WEDNESDAY, MARCH 4, 2015 } You can tell a lot about a person by what's in their wallet BY CAROLYN WEBBER PHOTO BY COLE TAN T /STAFF WRITER he contents of someone's wallet can say a lot about the type of person they are. For Tiffany Davis, assistant coordinator for the Personal Money Management Center, wallets are a direct translation of someone's larger financial situation. "The number of credit cards they have can be an indicator of how they manage their finances," she said. "And having a lot of credit cards is usually not a good sign:' Amy Huynh, a freshman in business, doesn't necessarily agree with that interpretation. She has several credit cards in her wallet "I shop a lot: she said. Like most people today, Huynh did not have any cash on her. In a 2014 Bankrate survey, 40 percent of people living in the United States were found to carry less than $20. When students come into the Money Management Center for help with budgeting, Davis recommends the envelope method. Once you get your paycheck, you divide the money into different categories, placing the individual allotments in envelopes for rent, tuition, etc. — that way you don't spend more than you have. Davis also recommends keeping receipts.This is a habit Meghan Martin, a freshman in elementary education, has acquired. "It looks messy because I have all of my receipts shoved in there, but then I take them out and record them," she said. In Martin's wallet there's a Starbucks gift card, which could indicate her love for coffee. Her friend, Laura Tatham, is pretty similar. Tatham, a senior in biomedical engineering, has six different coffee shop cards and a picture of her boyfriend. "There's just not a lot of space in a wallet:Tatham said. "You have to pick and choose what you put in it:" Besides financial stereotypes, the style and contents of a wallet have some social implications as well. Arianna D'Isola, a junior in psychology, likes guys who have nice wallets. "Leather is classy': she said. "One of my ex-boyfriends had a Power Rangers wallet, and that wasn't too attractive." James Farley, a senior in geology, tries to keep his wallet full of the essentials but not over-packed. He carries his concealed weapons permit and Student Life Center pass. "You can tell a whole lot from people's wallets," he said. "Anyone who has a Velcro wallet is instantly a nerd:" c.webber@chronicle.utah.edu @carolyn_webber Fail-safe ways to save BY STEFANIE AREVALO /STAFF WRITER PHOTO BY KIFFER CREVELING I Those who drink alcohol can save money by looking for drink specials at bars and avoiding booze at restaurants. Many sit down eateries increase drink prices up to 75 percent. The "ramen noodle diet" is a staple among college students, but after a while it can become unappealing. Instead of boiling water with noodles every night, mix in some veggies and cook at home. By avoiding fast food, you save money and learn to cook. Overall, the Money Management Center suggests that students be conscious of how they spend money and live within their means. s.arevalo@chronicle.utah.edu @ArevaloStefani he phrase "poor college student" is often used to describe those at the U and other universities. But with some clear budgeting guidelines, it's easy to defy that label and save some money. The U's Personal Money Management Center recommends that before setting out to save money, you find out how much you actually have. Take into account any bills or loan payments. If you find that your funds are too low, then you have three options: increase your income by working more hours or finding another job, decrease your expenses by cutting unnecessary spending or a combination of both. Part of being a college student means having a social life. From food to movies, there are plenty of ways to have fun on a budget. Taylor Wright, a junior in psychology, takes advantage of discounted Tuesdays at the theater to see movies for less. PEACE CORPS WEEK' "The movies at the Gateway cost only $5 all day on Tuesdays," Wright said. "I love saving money this way Join The Celebration \ because with what my boyfriend and I would normally Thursday, March 5t spend on movie tickets regularly, we can instead grab 10:00 a.m. - 1:30 p.m. dinner and a movie with the same amount. It's a really cheap date night idea." AARay Olpin Union Building .T., Cutting down on fast food and drinks can make a major difference in budget as well. Paul Johnson, an undeclared sophomore, is the self-proclaimed "King of Starbucks." On average, a cup of coffee costs $3. Drinking one every day Fillmore information' adds up to $21 a week or $84 a month. contact Steve Price "I'm trying to curb my Starbucks addiction by only going sprice@peacecorps.gov three to four times a week instead of every morning': he said. 7 |