Fluctuation of interest rates, inflation and prices changes students’ employment and management of home life.
“More students have to get jobs,” said senior Teegan Alexander.
Employment during high school can have negative impacts on achievement in school, according to a study by the U.S. Department of Education.
“It can be hard for students to balance everything in regards to sports, employment and home life,” said counselor Danetia Wilkins.
The use of numerous tactics can help gain employment stability.
“One of the main things to sustain stability is saving. Saving, not half your check because students do like to spend, but have enough to pay your bills, some that you can save and some for yourself,” said Wilkins.
In regards to home life, many Americans still say that their expenses have grown faster than their income, even as certain parts of the economy have begun to do better in recent times, according to PBS.
“[Now] I [have to] take care of my brother a lot, so it’s like hard to take care of schoolwork at home,” said freshman Carleigh Walters.
In addition, inflation has significantly raised school lunch prices, according to USA Today, with no apparent increase in quality.
“[One of my teachers] will offer me food because she feels bad [that I don’t have any lunch]. I don’t like the [school lunch],” said Careligh.
However, Ocean Lakes offers many programs to help students.
“If [students] are finding that there’s financial difficulty at home, we have the Beach Bags. We also have upcoming holidays where students are allowed to shop at discounted prices to receive gifts…if a student has any difficulties, we do have multiple resources,” said Wilkins.
