Rent, groceries, phone payments, gas and other bills are at the forefront of some Keene State College students’ minds because they are out of work.
“It is very tough financially since I pay for everything on my own. It is also mentally very difficult to figure out a completely new life with no income,” said Courtney Leonard, a junior majoring in sociology.
With the campus shut down for the semester, students who lived in dorms had to move back home, moving away from any on-campus or off-campus job they had. Additionally, most businesses have been forced to close unless they are essential. Because of this, many Keene State College students have found themselves out of work and out of money.
Leonard worked at the Starbucks on campus four days a week for about 25 hours a week. She said she was paid about $430 biweekly and her money would go toward rent, groceries and essentials. She also said she saved a small sum for her social life, but now she has no income for her bills.
Not only is the lack of income difficult but Leonard said a lack of a structured schedule has affected her motivation.
“I went from a very structured schedule with work and classes to not working at all and doing online school work. It greatly affects my motivation on a day-to-day basis now that I don’t need to get up for work,” said Leonard.
Similarly, Samantha Audette, a senior and exercise science major, said that she is actually more stressed now that she is not working.
“Not working is giving me more time to do school work, but I am used to a busy schedule, so having nothing besides school to do, I procrastinate a lot and am finding myself to be more stressed,” said Audette.
Audette worked at the Spaulding Gymnasium as a trainer and at the desk. She also had an off-campus job at the YMCA as a fitness desk attendant and led gym orientations for new members. She said she made about $70 a week to pay for gas, her phone and groceries.
“I normally don’t like to touch my savings, but now all my payments are coming out of there. I am concerned how much my savings will deplete,” said Audette.
Even students who are still working said they are struggling with the limited income. Dana Dearborn, a junior majoring in exercise science, worked as a student coordinator for KSC Reads and in the administrative suite in the Student Center as an assistant.
“Although I am working, my hours and paycheck are significantly less than when I was at school. Right now I’m working five hours a week and taking home $35. This is enough for me to get some groceries,” said Dearborn.
The students said they are considering short-term and long-term consequences of the pandemic and being out of work. Dearborn is concerned she will not be hired back at her usual summer job, hurting her funds for rent.
On the other hand, Leonard has filed for unemployment because she is so worried about her savings.
“My short-term concerns are figuring out a schedule with little structure and learning how to live alone due to social distancing, but my long-term concerns are not being able to save up money and be stuck in a rough place financially even after all of this is over,” said Leonard.
Kiana Joler can be contacted at:
kjoler@kscequinox.com
