Up in the Air

How students juggle school, work and everything elseBy Amaani Bhamla.At 2 A.M. when her friends are lost in their dreams, City College student Navdeep Kaur is stuck at work checking in passengers at the Air India counter at the JFK airport. “I almost failed my biology class because I didn’t get to study; I was always caught up at work,” says Kaur, a 21-year-old biology major. “I started to study during my break at work to manage things and was unsuccessful. I was in misery.”Eventually lack of sleep and concentration became too much. Kaur had to leave her job.  “I had no choice but to quit,” she says. “But I am completely broke; all my savings have been used.”Many CCNY students know how Kaur feels. As the recession drags on and tuition increases, money is crucial. And students are caught in the middle. With finals approaching, those who juggle school and work will be even more stressed.For those who juggle schoolwork with work-work, along with all-nighters and lots of Starbucks, try these tips to collected from other students who have learned how to strike a balance:Be prepared- Dipen Patel, 21, says he, “keeps a book with me all the time so whenever I get time I read. Like on the train or bus or during breaks.”Understand that every single second counts. It’s important to give yourself sufficient amount of time and do your best to stay calm. Says Dayna Chunara, 22, a hardworking senior: “You take it one day at a time or one coffee at a time.”Stay focused, despite all you have going on. You need to have a long attention and concentration span. If it’s not possible ask for help.  “Take a leave from work and focus on school,” advises April Cantin, 21, a student who knows how it feels.Take care of yourself. Eat small, healthy meals and try your best to get 6 to 8 hours of sleep to avoid deprivation. If you don’t, you might find your emotions on overdrive.  When you’re tired and hungry, “you get ticked off at the smallest detail possible,” says Robina Ahmad, 22. Good luck!