Tuition, Jobs, Resumes: The Reality of the "Circus Generation" Juggling It All - Before the "Acrobatics" of Work and Learning Reach Their Limits

Introduction: Student Life is Not a "Show"

An article published on November 11 compared the reality faced by today's university students to a "circus." This is not mere wordplay. They keep juggling "tools" such as tuition fees, rent, resume building, and future anxiety in the air, and their lives are shaken the moment they drop them. The article's author, Alison Taylor from the University of British Columbia, developed this metaphor through five years of research and interviews with students.Phys.org

Four "Acts" of Student Survival Strategies

• Juggling (Simultaneous Multitasking): The reality that "more than half of undergraduate students work" even during the semester. Adding internships and volunteer work inside and outside the campus, there are more "balls" than hands.Phys.org

• Tightrope Walking (Adjustment and Redistribution): Students with support networks and experience find it easier to balance, but economically vulnerable students and those with disabilities must check their footing with every step.Phys.org

• Contortion (The Cost of Overextension): Flexibility is often considered a virtue, but excessive "stretching" directly leads to mental deterioration and dropout risks.Phys.org

• Sword Swallowing (Swallowing Energy): Suppressing defensive instincts and overdoing it leads to burnout.Phys.org

What Pushes Students onto the Wire

Taylor points out that policy and economic discourse demand "hit the ground running" readiness, pressuring universities for "labor market responsiveness." However, the university timeline is longer than quarterly financial results, and employers should bear the responsibility of nurturing, with a need for lower tuition and expanded living support.Phys.org

Reinforced by Data: Balancing is Not an Exception but a Daily Routine

Taylor's observations resonate with overseas statistics. For example, a survey by the UK's HEPI shows that more than half of full-time students work long hours, reaching a total of 48 hours a week when combined with study. This indicates that the right to learn is being eroded by a "lack of time."The Guardian

Reactions on Social Media: "Sighs" Heard from Timelines

• "Balancing full-time work and full-time study isnearly impossible," a cry of despair. Posts with calculations showing it's unrealistic when commuting and housework are included gain support.Reddit

• "Working 50-55 hours a week plus 4 courses. Switched to online to avoid commuting," an experience shared. Schedule changes are discussed as a way to "not fall."Reddit

• Wisdom to avoid burnout, such as "locking in" study in short fixed blocks and ensuring rest, is also shared.Reddit

• Posts simply relaying media broadcasts are also seen, indicating the spread of interest (shared by news distribution accounts).X (formerly Twitter)

These voices focus more on "concrete survival techniques" and the "absence of systems" rather than the "merits of the article."

From "Immediate Readiness" to "Long Learning"—Key Proposals

Translating Taylor's arguments into policy language boils down to the following three points.

1. Protect the University's Timeline: Be cautious with curriculum proliferation that follows quarterly employment trends (proliferation of micro-credentials, mandatory internships, etc.).Phys.org

2. Clarify Employers' "Responsibility for Nurturing": Increaseentry-level positions with training rather than unpaid/low-paid internships for immediate readiness.Phys.org

3. Enhance Tuition and Living Standards: Establish a "safety net" to prevent falling from the wire through tuition restraint, grant-based support, and fair distribution of on-campus employment.Phys.org

Practical Innovations—What Can Be Done on the Wire

Until the system catches up, there are small practices that students can implement.

• "Fixing" Time: Study in fixed blocks of 45-60 minutes at the same time every day ("lock-in"). Schedule rest to prevent burnout.Reddit

• Visualizing the Load: Make total weekly work and study hours visible, and if they reach 48-56 hours, treat it as ared flag to readjust subjects and shifts.The Guardian

• Hybrid of Online and In-Person: If commuting time can be cut, utilizing online options can be a strategy to stabilize the wire.Reddit

Still, the Hope to Be Noted

Behind this issue is the concept of "rhythm" depicted in the book 'Juggling Rhythms.' Humans cannot constantly output 100% like machines. Therefore, learning the rhythm of "juggling," "crossing," "bending," and "pulling" is itself the learning of the 21st century.De Gruyter Brill

Conclusion: Not Applause, but Systems

It's easy to applaud students' tightrope walking with a "hang in there." But what is needed is a system where the lifeline doesn't break even if they fall. Unless universities, companies, and society redistribute roles, the next generation's show will be described not as a "success story" but as a "war of attrition."Phys.org