Monday, June 12, 2023

[PHOTOSTORY 4: STRUGGLE] Mental Health of a College Student with Financial Debt


By: DuJuan Glenn

Brianna Judge goes for a midnight jog after work to clear her head before she makes a decision for the evening. "I felt like I had a time limit on college and wanted to make my family proud, but I think I could have waited."
Brianna Judge is hungry due to the jog and craves a healthy snack. "Because of my new schedule, I don't have much time to eat or play games with my friends."

Judge begins to prepare her renowned quick snacks, which she consumes anytime she is hungry and cannot be bothered to prepare anything else bread with honey. "I know it seems weird or crazy, but it's actually good, like how random peanut butter and chocolate is."
The finished creation of Judge's famed bread and honey sandwich she made. According to bakingbusiness.com, "one of the best pairings for bread is honey."
Brianna Judge, still hungry, prepares a bowl of cereal with tap water. "I ran out of milk, but I found the next best alternative to use for my corn flakes."
Brianna Judge finishes her breakfast with just a smidgeon of water. "Some may think I'm crazy, but I find that water improves the texture and taste and that milk ruins it."
When Brianna Judge checks her bank account balance, her hunger fades. "It's difficult and frustrating to balance my finances now that I'm an adult."
Brianna Judge examines her undergraduate record for the spring semester in order to make a difficult decision that may affect what she does in college. "I know I could have done better with cultural heritage, but things became intense with family and friends, and I became unmotivated and sad."
Brianna Judge looks at the University of Houston's financial aid rules to see if she will be able to have more after thinking what she could do or a way to help her out. "That one bad grade really threw me for a loop, and I'm a little concerned because financial aid helps me support myself during college."
Stressed out Brianna Judge takes a breather to consider how she will finish her year of college with everything piling up. "Covid-19 made me so vulnerable to everything that I sometimes shut down."
Brianna Judge abandons all of her classes and focuses on employment after a difficult choice, especially considering taking a gap year. "I can't multitask right now because my friends and family are all going their separate ways, and it's weighing heavily on my heart and mind."
Brianna Judge pauses as she realizes that by dropping her classes, she will take longer to graduate. "I think I'll be fine; it's just stressful, and I've considered dropping out entirely, but I know I can't."
Brianna Judge performs a silent prayer to remember everyone she lost who is watching over her. "I'm giving it my all, and I hope I can make everyone proud."
Brianna Judge searches for good banks around her as she looks for extra food to supply her house. Food banks are frequently held on campus to aid students with fundraising, health and safety, recruiting volunteers, and even providing free food.
Brianna Judge visits every food bank in Georgia online that is close to her home. "I'll send locations to my mom and dad so we can have more food options."

Brianna Judge texts her younger sister Raven Judge, who is working late at night and would want to help maintain the family if she could send her some money. "She's really the only person I can ask because I know my parents are swamped with bills."
Brianna Judge sobs after sending that text because she has to beg her sister for money. "I know I'm repaying her, but I don't like feeling so helpless that I have to run and ask for help."
Brianna Judge takes a deep breath and listens to an old audio tape of her grandmother telling her how pleased she is of her. "I adore my grandmother, and whenever I feel myself spiraling, I listen to this voice memo to gain clarity and stay focused on doing my best."

Brianna Judge analyzes her receipt for goodwill items to determine how much she spent. "I'm going to try to budget better and only buy what I need." 
Brianna Judge considers the rainy day money after much deliberation in order to have transportation for work tomorrow. "I know this is only for emergencies, but I need to get to work tomorrow."

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