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. 

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. 

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. 

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. 

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.  

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. 

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. 

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.

Yours Sincerely, 

Michelle Chan