The Mental Health Struggles of Being a Broke College Student

This is a tough one to write as classes draw near; I find myself overthinking about the future more than usual.

What if I am choosing the wrong degree?

What if I don’t like what I choose or am not good at it?

What if I can’t find a job afterward?

What if I am putting myself at a disadvantage with this degree?

What if I can only attain a lower level salary?

As a non-traditional student who has been low-income my entire life, I have a lot banking on the future success of my degree. However, with that said, most of my overthinking comes from the reality of what it is like to be a broke college student trying to leave the low-income bracket behind.

If you noticed, most of my fears on a deeper level are fear-based from income insecurity and my desire for a better quality of life.

Aside from the obvious struggles of being a low-income or broke college student, such as worrying about the cost of groceries and how rent is going to be paid if school demands most or all of our time, often these other anxious fears bleed over into the future.

These Fears Often Impact How We Function as Students

Which means sometimes we are sacrificing our potential as students because our brain energy is going into convincing ourselves that everything is going to be okay, to take it one day at a time.

This is why when people often discuss factors and policy decisions for students who are considered low-income and struggle with the effects of trying to attend a social construct for privileged students, it is often encouraged that these institutions do better to accommodate students from less affluent economic circumstances.

For example, when it comes to medical students, I have read numerous threads online where students have spoken of the difference between someone with financial support and someone without.

There was a time when I was considering the possibility of medical school. It’s not completely off the table, but it’s not at the forefront of my plans either.

Someone who has the optional support of family, especially financially, won’t face the same struggles as someone who has to rely on student loans and jobs while shadowing doctors, gaining clinical hours, and taking an assortment of hard science classes just to get into medical school.

Even if Accepted, the Challenges Don’t Stop There

Someone who is getting 8 hours of sleep due to not having to worry about financial matters or other matters will be able to devote all their energy to their studies over someone who is coming home late from a job.

This is often why it is suggested that students shouldn’t work during medical school. However, this also leads to anxious mounting debt for students who are on their own without financial support, especially if something happens during their time in medical school, where becoming a doctor is no longer an option.

You’re going to medical school knowing the debt is worth the trade-off down the road, but it is what happens within that time span that students often worry about—the what-ifs and possible mishaps outside of their control.

My Personal Struggles as a Student With Limited Means Are More Mental Right Now Than Financially

Personally, I am grateful that my rent is currently covered and bills are taken care of, allowing me to focus on school. I am fortunate enough to be eligible for Pell Grants and other grants.

Despite being fortunate for the assistance, I still struggle with anxieties about the future—whether I’ll be able to sustain my rent payments as I continue my educational journey, and if I’ll need to take out loans, how much debt I’ll accumulate.

Even with my frugal approach to finances, I worry about its impact on my social mobility.

These are just some of the thoughts plaguing the start of my journey, but I’m learning not to let them interfere with my desire to attend school and attain the necessary degrees for a better quality future.