While most students are winding down for the night, geological studies senior John Warren is just arriving at work.
When Warren accepted a job as a Menna's Joint delivery driver in December, he became one of many who must adjust their sleep and, sometimes, class schedules to accommodate establishments that cater to a nocturnal crowd.
Warren said despite his late-night shifts at the restaurant, located at 4790 S. Hagadorn Road, transition has been easy as he has been able to maintain a balance between sleep, school and work.
"I've grown up with an interesting sleep schedule, so I'm used to the late hours," Warren said.
He works 10 p.m. until 4 a.m. Tuesdays and Thursdays and said he rarely gets tired during his shift.
"I carefully made sure that my work schedule wouldn't conflict with my school schedule," Warren said. "For example, on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays, I don't start until 1:50 p.m."
Warren said that in addition to scheduling later classes, he's taking a lighter course load this semester to handle the new job.
But instead of coming home from work at 4 a.m. and falling right asleep, Warren said he has things to get accomplished.
"When I get off work, I usually have homework to finish for the next day," Warren said.
But for some, the combination of late-night shifts and early class times doesn't result in a positive experience.
As an employee of the 24-hour fitness location Atlas Gym, 4790 Hagadorn Road, Shelby Anderson often has trouble juggling both school and work.
"After I get off of work, I stay up for a bit, unable to sleep," the international relations senior said. "I lay down and I'm nervous about having to wake up so soon."
Anderson said she often works from about 5-10 a.m. before rushing to make her 10:20 a.m. classes.
"If it's an interesting class, then I'm able to stay awake," she said.
Despite the nonconventional hours Anderson keeps at Atlas Gym, she still finds her job has benefits.
"I really like the job. It's quieter at night, so I get the chance to do my schoolwork," Anderson said. "One of the perks to working at a gym is all of the energy drinks. One night during finals week, I had about four or five of them."
For Jack Kramer, four alarm clocks scattered around his room are essential for him to get to class after a night receptionist shift.
The economics sophomore has worked as a night receptionist supervisor for the past two years in Abbot Hall. But when Kramer is home for breaks or the weekend, he uses a few days of sleeping in to restore his sleeping patterns.
Kramer added that he likes his job, despite the late hours.
"Usually, it's like I'm getting paid to study," Kramer said.
