Adulting 101: Seven bucks

Nati Feliciano-Soto, Contributing Writer 

Balancing college life with real-world financial responsibilities? Now that’s a grind, and it is one I know all too well. Right now, I am a full-time student taking 15 credits, interning at a news station and working the night shift at a part-time job to make ends meet. Each of these roles is essential to my journey, but the weight of it all sometimes feels like it could crush me. 

My internship is critical to my future. Working in a news station allows me to gain skills, network with professionals and grow closer to my goal of becoming a storyteller. It is everything that I have worked hard to be able to do since I was a little girl. 

Yet despite the excitement of gaining hands-on experience, I can’t escape the constant pressure of covering everyday expenses. Rent, car insurance, groceries — the list is long and my bank account doesn’t always keep up. 

Even small costs, like paying for parking on campus, ends up feeling like hurdles, and don’t even get me started on the $444 the school wants you to spit out for their six month parking pass that should be a part of our tuition! 

Without enough money upfront for a parking pass, I’m left paying daily fees that, while minor, start adding up fast. Every little expense takes away a piece of my college experience, a reminder that I’m not just a student, but also someone managing adult responsibilities in a world that doesn’t slow down. 

Working at night was never what I had envisioned. I thought I would have time to join clubs without having to excuse myself 30 minutes into a meeting because traffic lengthens my commute. I thought I would have time to study in the library or spend time with friends, but here I am instead trying to fit my life around my financial reality. 

A traditional full-time job might offer stability, but that would only slow down my progress toward finishing my degree. Working a night shift allows me to bring in income without taking away from the crucial hours I need for school and my internship. But it is also a sacrifice requiring energy and resilience. Going straight from classes to work, then back to assignments, feels like a cycle that never ends. 

I am here to tell you that if you believe no one in your life understands your struggle, or if you feel like the world is against you and that all of the temporary sacrifices you make are only a suction that will drain your life, I see you. 

I see you, I hear you and I understand you deeply. I strongly believe this is why many people in society refuse to go back to school — we are already living through harsh times where it feels like we can barely keep our heads above water. The cost of living only keeps increasing and it feels hopeless at times to understand how you could possibly obtain an education with so many other obstacles in the way. 

However, I believe that is what makes us profound and resilient. Many fail to realize that being a college student itself is an honorary privilege that few around the world have the honor of becoming. 

I find inspiration from people who have walked this path of financial insecurity. It is easy to say my mother inspires me but I also look to icons like Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson. 

He may have not pursued a college education, but when learning that he named his production company, Seven Bucks Productions, after the $7 he once had to his name, his journey became proof to me that no matter how challenging things get, persistence can carry us forward. 

My bank account might be low now, but I am investing in myself. Every late-night shift, every article I write and every dollar saved goes toward building the career I want. One day, I hope to share that story with the same pride and resilience that he does. 

Right now, it is just me, my laptop and a dream. I am learning, I am growing and I am laying the foundation for a future where my words can make a difference. Balancing college, a news internship and a night job isn’t easy, but I am fueled by a vision that keeps me moving forward. I know I am capable, and I know these sacrifices will pay off. 

So yes, it is exhausting. But this journey is worth every sleepless night and every dollar stretched. I am creating a story I will one day look back on with pride — and maybe even laugh at the hard times that got me there. For now, I am here doing what I need to do to make it happen, one shift, one class, one story at a time.