For many students at Kirkwood Community College, school is only one part of their daily struggle. Behind the scenes, some are working long night shifts just to survive and stay in school. While others go home after classes to rest or study, these students are preparing for another long night of work.
Tchaba Napo, a mechanical automotive technology student, is one of them. Outside the classroom, his life is defined by long hours, physical work and very little rest. Like many students trying to balance education and survival, Napo has no choice but to push himself beyond his limits.
Napo said he works the night shift, about 40 hours a week. But he believes students should consider second shift jobs instead, which usually start in the afternoon.
“Students should choose second shift,” he said. “It will be more helpful. The night shift is too stressful. It’s not easy. I’m just managing.”
For Napo, the biggest struggle is sleep. Working through the night and trying to function during the day has taken a serious toll on him. His body is constantly tired, but his responsibilities do not stop.
“I find it difficult to sleep during the day,” he said. “Yet I still have to work at night. My biggest struggle is juggling night shift and studying full time.”
According to him, the lack of proper rest is not just uncomfortable; it is dangerous. It affects concentration, health and overall academic performance.
“Night sleep is good for your health,” he added. “Sometimes I don’t even sleep at all during the day, and I still have to go back to work.”
Despite everything, Napo said he is not aware of any support systems from the college for students working night shifts. For him, it feels like students in his situation are left to figure things out on their own.
Marzouk Mamadou, another student at Kirkwood, is facing a similar reality but sees things differently. He is studying Network and Systems Administration and also works about 40 hours a week. Like Napo, he understands the pressure, but his mindset is more focused on making the situation work.
“Life is not easy,” Mamadou said. “Studying for my degree is important to me. The only option I have is to make some money to support my education.”
Mamadou works from 10 p.m. to 7 a.m. and sleeps for about five hours during the day. For him, the sacrifice is necessary, even if it comes at a cost. He believes discipline and determination are key to surviving this kind of lifestyle. He even encourages other students to consider night shifts, especially those who want to keep their daytime schedules free for classes.
“If you work at night, you can attend classes during the day,” he explained. “It’s not easy, but it helps you stay in school.”
Both students work at Walmart as stockers, a physically demanding job that requires strength and energy, something that is often in short supply after sleepless days. The job involves lifting, organizing and being on your feet for long hours, making the lack of sleep even more difficult to manage.
Their stories raise an important question: How many students are silently going through the same struggle?
Across campus, there are likely many others who face similar challenges but remain unseen. They show up to class tired, try to focus, and still meet deadlines, all while carrying the weight of financial responsibility on their shoulders. For these students, failure is not an option because too much depends on their ability to keep going.
For many, education is not just about attending classes and completing assignments. It is about survival, sacrifice, and pushing through exhaustion every single day.
Students like Napo and Mamadou are not just chasing degrees. They are fighting to build a future, one long night at a time.
Categories: Feature
