More than 13% of students report using drugs or alcohol to cope with stress this year, according to the Student Burnout Report. However, this was particularly true of students who worked and even more so among students who worked longer hours.

The report found that for every increase in hours a student works during the school week, there is a 25% chance that a student will report an increase in drug use. For example, if a student goes from reporting 0-5 hours to 6-10, their initial risk of drug use increases 25%. The same would happen as they move to 11-15 hours and so on.

On the weekend, that number jumps to 32% every time they report higher hours.

This was consistent to results from an article published in the Journal of Child and Adolescent Behavior, as well as four other studies that all found working more than 20 hours puts students at increased risks of drug use. Only 7% of Caney Creek students who have weekend jobs reported working more than 20 hours on weekends, but 18% of students do with weekday jobs.

While the study could not determine the exact cause, the results point to possibly risky work environments and higher exposure to drug and alcohol users.

“Specifically, working more hours is associated with more income to spend on alcohol and other drugs, greater exposure to teens who use (alcohol and drugs), and increased exposure to riskier work environments where older teens and adult coworkers use (alcohol and drugs),” the report notes. “Youth who work more hours may also experience changes in their relationships with their parents (e.g., less parental monitoring) and commitment in school that may mediate future (alcohol and drug) use,” the report notes. “… For example, some jobs may provide more physical access to alcohol (e.g., jobs at restaurants and grocery stores) and exposure to more risky work norms around drinking and using (e.g., adult coworkers who use after work), which may influence youth (alcohol and drug) use.”

Students who work more than 20 hours a week show a decline in academic performance along with grades, behavior, and likeness to drop out, according to a survey taken by the University of Washington.

It wasn’t all bad and not all teens had a greater risk of using. The same study in the Journal of Child and Adolescent Behavior found that having a job can actually be good for students.

The study notes that one theory suggests that when given opportunities like a job, an at-risk student may choose to behave better. It also explained that jobs provide opportunities to experience having responsibilities, boost time management and decision-making skills, and be more motivated to succeed in a career.

Jobs & Burnout

Senior Jason Holmes got his first job as a freshman. For him, it was about saving money for college and having a little extra spending money.

For the 23% of high school students that work, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, finding a job in high school is a milestone. It is often the first time students experience responsibility and a sense of independence.

According to the Student Media survey, Caney Creek has a higher percentage of students that work. Holmes is among the 34% of students with a job.

“I was like 14,” Holmes said. “I didn’t feel rich, but I felt great. It is the first real taste of having your own money.”

Of employed students, 69% say that their job is needed. Having extra money to spend in high school can be rewarding. It not only gives students a sense of independence, but also gives them the opportunity to spend money on supplementary things they want. Though, for some, obtaining a job is about survival.

Whether that be for personal or family expenses, these students are using their paychecks for their necessities. While Holmes’ job is a “want” job (one that isn’t needed for survival), there are still drawbacks.

“I definitely feel like I’m missing out sometimes,” Holmes said. “It feels like the parties, or days I can chill with my friends or family fall mainly on the days I have work.”

About 36% of working Caney Creek students reported their jobs interfere with their school assignments, study time, or extracurriculars in some manner.

With long school schedules and extracurriculars combined with a part-time job, it can be hard for students to find time for fun. According to ISL Educational Learning, being involved in high school can relieve academic stress, help students make connections and increase academic performance.  Free time is essential for students to relax and decompress, however having to toggle so much on one’s schedule can leave little time for leisure.

“After school I go straight to work, so I don’t really ever have time to do work at home,” junior Madelyn Vita said.

However, having a job was unrelated to burnout rates, according to Student Media’s burnout survey, but there was a relationship between feeling that job interference and burnout. Every additional step a student reported feeling their job interfered, they were 18% more likely to report burned out.