I have a group project this semester and my group wants to meet at 7 PM. Every night. I work 11 PM to 7 AM. 7 PM is when I'm trying to squeeze in a few hours of sleep before my shift. I can't make any of their meetings.
I haven't told them why. I just say "I'm not available then." They're getting annoyed. One of them wrote in the group chat "some people need to be more flexible." That was aimed at me. I felt it.
My question is: should I tell my professor I work nights and can't do evening meetings? Or will that sound like I'm making excuses?
A 2026 study found that 1 in 5 college students now work night shifts, mostly in hospitality and retail . I can't be the only one dealing with this. But every time I've mentioned it to professors in the past, they give me this pitying look and say "try to manage your time better." Like time management is the problem. I have 24 hours just like everyone else. The difference is I'm awake for all of them.
My roommate says I'm overthinking it and should just tell them. But I've had professors who clearly think working students are just "less committed." One time a professor said in class "if you have time to work, you have time to do the readings." I wanted to scream.
The group project is 30% of my grade. I can't afford to be the bad guy here. But I also can't afford to quit my job. Rent doesn't pay itself.
Has anyone been in this situation? How did you handle it? Did you tell your professor? Did it help or make things worse? I'm stuck between being honest and being judged.
I haven't told them why. I just say "I'm not available then." They're getting annoyed. One of them wrote in the group chat "some people need to be more flexible." That was aimed at me. I felt it.
My question is: should I tell my professor I work nights and can't do evening meetings? Or will that sound like I'm making excuses?
A 2026 study found that 1 in 5 college students now work night shifts, mostly in hospitality and retail . I can't be the only one dealing with this. But every time I've mentioned it to professors in the past, they give me this pitying look and say "try to manage your time better." Like time management is the problem. I have 24 hours just like everyone else. The difference is I'm awake for all of them.
My roommate says I'm overthinking it and should just tell them. But I've had professors who clearly think working students are just "less committed." One time a professor said in class "if you have time to work, you have time to do the readings." I wanted to scream.
The group project is 30% of my grade. I can't afford to be the bad guy here. But I also can't afford to quit my job. Rent doesn't pay itself.
Has anyone been in this situation? How did you handle it? Did you tell your professor? Did it help or make things worse? I'm stuck between being honest and being judged.