Life as A Working Student

So what really inspires me to write a blog about life as a working student? It is based on my struggles and life challenges in between personal life, school and work. 

Marketing audiences

Marketing audiences

Drafting my literature review for Every Inch Swimwear

Drafting my literature review for Every Inch Swimwear

I have been a working student since late 2012. Why am I working student? The answer is quite rational. I want to be independent and be able to support myself with my college fees. I wanted a better future for myself and I just have to fight for it in order for me to get a degree. 

Me working in Abercrombie & Fitch as full time Overnight, scrunching all the sleeves. I am the scrunching queen!

Me working in Abercrombie & Fitch as full time Overnight, scrunching all the sleeves. I am the scrunching queen!

Me working as a part time server during the Rugby Sevens

Me working as a part time server during the Rugby Sevens

Me working as a Lead Stylist in Abercrombie & Fitch, tweening with the mannequin

Me working as a Lead Stylist in Abercrombie & Fitch, tweening with the mannequin

Life as a working student is not easy but could also be fun and challenging. I like facing challenges, it makes me smarter and stronger. I'd like to talk about the negative side of being a working student first then to the positive side. 

Tiring but it's all worth it

Tiring but it's all worth it

I had a lot of hardships and I have also gone through depression and never-ending stress. To be honest, I didn't really have a proper social life, I don't see my friends that often and there are many events that I have to missed when I had to work overnight in one of the awesome work place that I used to work for, Abercrombie & Fitch. The first 2 years of my college life was bearable and I still have a little social life. But my final year was the biggest hit in my life. I didn't have any choice but to say no to my friends and somehow I felt that I may have drifted apart from them. Although I know this is very normal but I was feeling really depressed and I felt lonely. The only thing I do is work, studies, do projects and little time for myself or to anyone. Basically I am living like a running headless chicken everyday. I was caught up in many things but I didn't regret any of it. A great sacrifice comes with a good price. 

Working in a team to paint this beauty in Color Theory in Fashion class

Working in a team to paint this beauty in Color Theory in Fashion class

A Katy Perry inspired fashion doll house for my Contemporary for Fashion and Trends class

A Katy Perry inspired fashion doll house for my Contemporary for Fashion and Trends class

My platform inspired shoes design for my Product Development class

My platform inspired shoes design for my Product Development class

I present to you Ritika Gajwani, the model for my accessories brand for my E-Fashion class

I present to you Ritika Gajwani, the model for my accessories brand for my E-Fashion class

A report on Toms for my Market Research Technique class

A report on Toms for my Market Research Technique class

Presenting my Final Marketing 2 project, ZARA

Presenting my Final Marketing 2 project, ZARA

Presenting my Major Studio Project "Every Inch Swimwear"

Presenting my Major Studio Project "Every Inch Swimwear"

Despite of my busy life, I still manage to do some fun. Such as, I have organised an amazing junk boat during the summer with my hectic schedule at that time, I still manage to squeeze in some time to deal with all the junk boat event. I also managed to work full-time with 0 absence from work.  

Manage to find time to do some hiking with my boyfriend Ryan

Manage to find time to do some hiking with my boyfriend Ryan

I did bunny jumping in Macau Tower

I did bunny jumping in Macau Tower

Managed to organise my birthday party inviting all of my friends over

Managed to organise my birthday party inviting all of my friends over

Celebrated Halloween with friends 

Celebrated Halloween with friends 

Finding time to meet awesome people

Finding time to meet awesome people

Squeeze in some time to attend Beatship

Squeeze in some time to attend Beatship

Organized a successful boat party

Organized a successful boat party

The 1st junk me and Ryan organised

The 1st junk me and Ryan organised

BBQ gathering with friends

BBQ gathering with friends

The good thing about being a working student is that I learned to be more independent and responsible in life. This gave me an opportunity to face different challenges and lessons that I need to learn. 

Doing what I do best

Doing what I do best

Working hard on the styling for my Every Inch project

Working hard on the styling for my Every Inch project

At work, being a stylist

At work, being a stylist

Working on the window display in College campus

Working on the window display in College campus

I never thought I could survive this but I did it and I am more than proud of myself. This is by far the biggest challenge I have ever faced in my life and I know that I will be facing even more difficult challenges as I grow. 

Honestly speaking, I like researching and writing reports

Honestly speaking, I like researching and writing reports

Working on my financial statement for one of my projects

Working on my financial statement for one of my projects

I actually wrote 6664 words!

I actually wrote 6664 words!

Now that I'm graduating soon, I feel very excited and one day I will be able to share this story to my children and to my grand-children. A story that someday could inspire others.

My portfolio after my 2nd year in college

My portfolio after my 2nd year in college

I got photography skills!

I got photography skills!

Briefing during my photoshoot for my Every Inch project

Briefing during my photoshoot for my Every Inch project

 

Yours Sincerely, 

Michelle Chan