priorities, be a good time manager, find a flexible job, be determined and understand the importance of a degree.

The first step is to set priorities. College, for many students, has been the biggest step in their lives. Many Palo Alto students are first-generation college attendees, which means they are trailblazers, striving to fulfill their goals.

"It all boils down to having priorities set, accomplishing them one at a time and following through with them," said Eva Rosa, a sophomore, Business major.

The second step is to be a good manager of your time. Time is what every student wants to have more of. The challenge is to balance school and work while managing time most efficiently.

Many students have families to support. These students continue to work and come to school to expand their education and to get paid a lot more for what they do without a degree.

"Being a young mother and a college student, I tend to focus more time on school and work than I actually get to spend time with my son. It's hard, but sometimes there is no other direction to go but to keep moving," said Maria Lara, a sophomore, Nursing major.

The third step is to find a job that is flexible. Degrees are becoming more and more expensive to achieve. Tuition, books and fees add up. Juggling school and work can become very frustrating. Either classes do not meet at the times you need them, or they are cancelled because of low enrollment. Many students find it very hard to find a job that works well with their school schedule.

Students who have the dedication to succeed, however, are most likely to stick with it, no matter how difficult the road may be.

"I tend to focus more time on school so that I may achieve my Communications degree, than I actually get to spend time making money at work," said Jami Zimmermann, a sophomore.

The fourth step is determination. Many students have the desire to be somebody early in their childhood years. They usually get these ideas from movies, favorite heroes, parents, friends or even teachers. Prioritizing these ideas ahead of time can paint a clear picture of what it is going to take to be that person.

"Students mature and realize that dead end jobs will get them nowhere," said Janet Rangel, PASSkey counselor. "This, in return, makes students aware of the importance of earning a degree. While achieving this degree, students can better themselves for their sake of becoming a better person with a good head on their shoulders and a degree they can be proud of. Sticking to what they believe is right and making it a reality is the key to much of this success."

The fifth step is to recognize the importance of a degree. Many students don't until it is a requirement to advance in the company they work for.

For one student, lacking a Bachelor's degree stopped her from following her dreams of earning more money and moving up.

"I once thought that I did not need to further my education since I was already making a lot of money at my current job without a degree,” said Alma Perez, a sophomore Nursing major. "However, it all changed when I wanted to advance in departments, but I did not meet certain criteria, so I was not qualified for the position. This is when I realized that I should have balanced my work and school and not dropped school all together. So, I came back to achieve that."

Juggling school and work is easy for some students, but for others, it's difficult since many complications may occur. If the right choices are made and the right paths are taken, college graduation will be the sweetest reward.