By Awa Soumahoro
CCC Journalism Program
BLACKWOOD – Some Camden County College students say they prefer to work during the day and take classes in the evening but the college doesn’t offer the classes they want in the evening. Some others say they prefer to take classes in the morning and afternoon and work in the evening but the college doesn’t offer the classes they want in the daytime.
“I’ve just started a new job and they pay better than what I was doing before but with the schedule they provide to me I can’t do anything,” said Camden County College student Melissa Sikaly. “I need this job to help my family and pay my tuition. I’ve chosen to take class at night.”
However, she stated about the evening class she wanted to take, “They didn’t have enough students who were taking this class,” so the class was canceled. So, she said, she took another class instead.
A 2020 study by researchers Ryan Hatcher and Yosung Hwang found students who work as they attend classes may encounter more significant challenges in attaining a balance because of the opposing responsibilities. Nevertheless, they benefit from being more skillful at focusing on varied roles and responsibilities and prioritizing matters.
Camden County College student Micheal Archange said he also preferred to take the classes he wanted in the evening but, “I had to change all my schedule because I was supposed to graduate with my associate’s next semester and they don’t offer one of my classes in the spring, so I’ll be obligated to transfer and take the last one online being at the university.”
Archange said he plans to take the course online from Camden County College while he’s enrolled at Wilmington University.
Other students said the college didn’t offer the classes they wanted in the morning and afternoon.
Among them is Camden County College student Ismael Traore. “I live in Philadelphia,” he said. “I’m always trying to find a schedule where I can finish earlier because I live far and I don’t drive,” adding he prefers not to ride the bus during the evening rush hour.
A 2021 study by researchers Yingjun Dong and Xin Zhang found sunlight benefits the eyes and boosts the brain’s alertness, the morning hours enhance the ability to recall concepts and the afternoon hours help learners incorporate and retain new ideas.
A request for comment from a college official went unanswered.