The Real Cost of Study-Life Balance in JC: How to Survive College Life

From the Perspective of a Student Economist

Balancing study and life in Junior College isn’t just about managing your time; it’s about making daily decisions that affect your grades, your wallet, and your mental health. From CCA commitments and daily spending habits to mental wellness and part-time jobs, JC students constantly juggle competing demands. The reality is that every choice we make - from buying bubble tea to joining a demanding CCA - carries a cost. So, the real question is: are we managing that cost wisely?

Understanding the Decision-Making Process: The Marginalist Principle

Let’s start by briefly understanding how we make these decisions. Economics tells us about the Marginalist Principle - the idea that we weigh the benefits and costs of every additional choice we make. For JC students, this means evaluating what an extra hour spent on CCA, or another bubble tea, is really worth against what we sacrifice: time for studying, saving money, or mental rest. Unfortunately, sometimes we underestimate these costs because we lack enough life experience or information to make fully rational decisions.

Is Your CCA Draining You or Making You?

First off, CCAs offer plenty of positives. They build leadership skills, foster friendships, and provide a space to pursue passions beyond academics - things school lessons alone can’t teach. CCAs shape us into more rounded individuals and often become highlights of our JC journey.

The Tangible and Intangible Costs of CCAs

But CCAs also come with costs, both tangible and intangible. Think about the money spent: a music instrument costing $400, concert uniforms at $150, or $100 for hiking boots. Take football, for example. Just a pair of cleats can set you back $100 to $150, plus another $80 or more on shorts, shirts, and socks. Many footballers end up spending over $180 just to be properly geared for training. And these expenses add up quickly.

Beyond money, the time and energy commitments can be draining. During peak periods like the National School Games (NSG) or the Singapore Youth Festival (SYF), many of us resort to cramming, studying on the go, caffeine overdoses, and all-nighters just to keep up. This raises the question - is the opportunity cost of your CCA worth it? Are we sacrificing too much study time or rest?

The Trade-Off: Growth vs. Burnout

For some, intense CCA commitments might hurt academic performance or mental health, leading to emotional exhaustion after practice or rehearsals. Yet, quitting isn’t so simple. CCAs give us memories, growth opportunities, leadership experiences, and a strong portfolio for university applications. Quitting might feel like letting the team down or missing out on key experiences.

So, while CCAs do cost us time, money, and energy, the personal growth and connections they offer often outweigh those costs. To all my fellow academic warriors, I wish you the best - prioritise wisely, use your time effectively, and don’t hesitate to seek support from friends and teachers. And juniors, which CCA do you think is the least ‘expensive’ in both time and money?

Daily Spending Habits: Bubble Tea, Cafes, Grab Rides

We’re all guilty of this - buying bubble tea for $4, hopping on Grab rides for $15, or grabbing that item we’ve “always wanted” for $20. Individually, these seem small, but over weeks and months, the costs add up. Should we stop entirely? Not necessarily.

Instead, try moderating your spending: limit bubble tea to once a week, cycle instead of Grab, or only treat yourself after finishing a tough semester. Small adjustments can keep your wallet happy without feeling deprived.

It’s not just how much you spend - it’s how you spend. Buying cheaper items might trick us into thinking we’re saving, but it often leads to buying even more. Keeping track of weekly expenses can reveal areas to cut back, easing financial pressure.

Look out for deals and promotions - free membership programmes at restaurants, student discounts, and sales on essentials can help you stretch your dollars. And beware of peer pressure. The urge to splurge on outings just to “fit in” is real, but staying thrifty is a foundational step toward financial success.

Your Brain on a Budget: The Real Costs of Our Mental Health

JC life is a constant juggle: lectures, CCAs, and trying to squeeze in a life. Burnout creeps in when you’re stretched too thin - feeling drained, losing joy, or even falling sick. This isn’t just a personal problem - burnout lowers your productivity and quality of education, and on a larger scale, impacts national productivity too.

When mental health suffers, you might skip out on leadership roles, research opportunities, or exchange programs - all crucial for your future potential and income. Mental burnout quietly holds you back, even if you don’t notice it right away.

Ways to Protect Your Mental Health

So, how can we fix this? Therapy helps - it reduces stress and improves focus. Private therapy can be costly ($80 to $300+ per session), but school counselling is free, and online options are growing. Although it might be tough to ask for help, especially in Asian families, self-care matters. Take “hot girl walks,” enjoy comfort foods, or watch your favorite shows. Use free school facilities or online workouts to recharge. It’s about making time for things that restore your energy.

Ignoring mental health is like ignoring a leak in your finances - it eventually catches up. The costs show up as doctor visits, medication, or missed chances. Treat your mental well-being as part of your success strategy. Less stigma, more strategy.

Conclusion

The real cost of study-life balance in JC isn’t just dollars or lost hours - it’s stress, sleep, and whether we have time to breathe. CCAs, spending habits, mental health, and part-time jobs all pull us in different directions.

Managing this balance well means understanding what matters and what we can realistically handle. By making conscious decisions now, we build not just stronger resumes but healthier, more sustainable lives.

Remember the Marginalist Principle: every choice has a cost. Sometimes, we underestimate the true costs because of inexperience. But learning to evaluate these trade-offs wisely helps us do what matters - well - both in JC and beyond.