Nottingham Trent students juggle academics and financial pressures

The escalating cost of university education, coupled with rising living expenses, forces students into a dilemma between pursuing higher education and seeking paid employment to sustain themselves.

Cheb Ifeta juggles his full-time university studies with his part-time work

Third year accounting and finance student at Nottingham Trent, Cheb Ifeta, 21, has been skipping some lectures and doing long hours in the library to make up for the time missed whilst working a part time job.

He says the late nights in the library and working during the week "make it increasingly hard to focus.

"I feel like I'm on the verge of burnout, but I have to support myself because there's no one else who will," he shared.

The online opinion poll, commissioned by the Sutton Trust, a social mobility charity, indicates that 49% of undergraduate students who participated have skipped classes, seminars, or workshops since September to work for pay.

Coming from a single-parent household, Cheb's mother struggles financially, to cover home bills whilst also looking after his 11-year-old brother.

In November, as prices were high, Cheb was working up to 27 hours a week to afford his rent and living expenses.

He has since decided to reduce his weekly working hours to 20 hours to prioritise his degree.

He expressed, "I felt like I was falling behind, and with deadlines piling up, and me missing crucial seminars and lectures I had to cut back.

"Shopping is a lot more expensive, I used to spend £15 a week in first and second year, now I spend £25 or £30," he says.

His feelings align with his peers, as he mentioned "Me and all my friends are struggling, money is always on our mind."

Debra Easter, Employability Director at Nottingham Trent University

Debra Easter, Director of Employability Services at Nottingham Trent University, offered some insights into the challenges students face in balancing their academics with work responsibilities.

"Were getting a lot more job applications in Jobshop for roles that are internal or external.

"Where we'd get 20 applications prior, we now get up to 200 applications."

debra Easter, director of employability

Debra's advice to students who are struggling to juggle the work and study balance is to "keep to minimum of 20 hours or less as it can be challenging when it starts to compromise your degree.

"We understand that things are difficult right now so planning can be helpful so you know how much work you can balance with your degree.

" students missing lectures due, to them prioritising the need to work will jeopardise their studies." adds Mrs Easter.