According to an article published in the Washington Times in May 2012, the number of high school students with jobs is at a 20-year low. In 1990, 32% of high schoolers held jobs versus 16% today.

Why is this? The article’s author, Ben Wolfgang, attributes it to the strong desire to improve academics and get into a prestigious university.

Juggling school, work, and sometimes sports is not for the weak. For the 16% that do try to balance work while striving for high grades in school, life can be demanding.

Some students have one job or multiple jobs during the school year for different reasons, whether its to help out with the bills at home or pay for gas and other daily expenses.

Senior Lou Corgliano, who recently competed at the Foot Locker National Championship for cross-country, also works at Shoprite during the week days.

“Having a job during the school year isn’t really hard because since it’s my senior year I don’t have a lot of homework,” he said. “I don’t get too tired because I only work one or two days a week depending on my schedule.”

Senior Jenna Sanfilippo juggles school along with working at The Alley and 54 Gym and Fitness during the week days and weekend.

“Last year was harder dealing with work and school because I had a lot of homework. This year its not as bad and I can handle more,” she said.  “The only time I get really tired is when I have work the night before and then multiple tests the next day.”

Senior Taylor Downey has a packed daily schedule and  finds it difficult at times to keep up with her workload. She finds herself drinking water nonstop in school so that she stays awake in her classes.

“My typical Tuesday is not like the average high school senior,” she said.

Here’s a hour-by-hour look at her day:

• 6:00 AM wake up
• 7:00 leave for school
• Attend school until 2:07
• Track practice until 4:30
• Work at IHOP 5-10
• Homework 10:30-12 AM
• Shower and personal care 12:00 AM
• Sleep 1:00 AM

You would think that having a job allows high school students to have more money in their pocket, but that’s not the case.

Senior Nick Noto, who also works at Shoprite, says that having a job allows him to have more freedom when it comes to spending money but notices that it goes very quickly.

“Working allows me to spend freely, but by the end of the week it’s gone because I have to pay for gas and food,” he said.