Overwhelmed

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I'm a full-time university student and I found a job that promised part-time but I'm working 30 hours a week. It's difficult because I can't ask my mom for advice on time management because any time I do, she makes it about me "not being able to handle" the demands of being an adult. I used to be the type of student to get an assignment done days before it was due, and now I'm working on papers and turning them in the night before. I was working the closing shift like 3 days in a row even though I have morning classes and I was so exhausted I skipped two classes and I feel so guilty and ashamed about it.

I want to ask my manager if I can work 24 hours a week (4 days of 6-hour shifts instead of 5 days) but I don't know how. This isn't my first job, I've had a lot in high school and another one since starting college, this is just the first one that's never given me any leeway. Texting him seems unprofessional but I'm worried I'll lose my cool if I ask him in person. And forgetting the mode of communicating the message, what should the message even be? Other people at my work are full-time students and they're working the same hours as me, plus we're understaffed so it's possible my hours won't change or they'll get worse.

I'm overwhelmed by school and work and maintaining my extracurriculars. All of this with a lack of routine has me feeling like I'm drowning. I want to just hide in a burrow made of blankets and pillows. I'm watching my friends start to hang out without me a lot since I've been so busy and it doesn't feel good to see that either. Is this what adulthood is? Is there any way to make this more manageable or less miserable or should I just keep my head down and power through?

I attended college at a late age (40’s) but even then it took me quite some time to find a balance. I dropped at least one class a semester. Final semester, final weeks, I did have a meltdown as it was too much. You have to find a balance and be realistic with yourself, also kind. This was on my third overall attempt at college, I once quit and took the failure grade. I graduated and the school removed the previous f, this gave me honors. I remember a story of a women that worked in the library, she would take one class a year and finished in her fifties.

Given the under-staffing: Do you personally know anyone who doesn't currently have a job but would like to work there, and who you think would do a good job? If so, offer to introduce that person to your boss. (If you don't currently know such a person, maybe you can ask around amongst your acquaintances outside of work?)

THEN (in a second, separate interaction with your boss) inform your boss about your academic situation and say that you would like to work fewer hours per week for at least MOST weeks, although you would still be willing to work 24 hours during weeks that are expected to be especially busy. Hopefully you boss would appreciate the flexibility.

I would suggest sayng this in-person, armed with written notes to refer to. If that won't work for you, then email might be better than a text message.

I can overcommit myself and end up doing everything poorly. Plus suffer burn out.

What is the worst thing that can happen if you ask your boss for fewer hours? Do you need the money? If it is a work-study program, you could talk to the program coordinator.