College students navigate financial stress and lifestyle changes

First-year students at South Dakota State University face significant stress regarding financial management, including navigating financial aid, managing debt, and balancing work with academics. Asha Hertler, a first-year adviser at SDSU, notes that many students struggle to find a balance between earning immediate income and focusing on their education. She recommends that students aim to work no more than 15 hours per week when possible to prioritize their studies.

In other campus environments, such as Tuscaloosa, students are increasingly turning to ‘side quests’—spontaneous, non-productive adventures—to alleviate the pressures of transitioning to independent campus life. These activities, ranging from local excursions to long-distance road trips, serve as a way for students to reconnect with themselves and their peers away from the rigors of the classroom.