Mbo, you think being a student is a tough assignment, and it is. But try this one:

Single mother, with small child (4 yrs. old)
Never worked outside the home before.
No job skills except typing and a reasonable sharp brain.
Two (count 'em) menial jobs at very low pay.
Must keep them both to pay bills dumped on me by disappearing husband, soon to be divorced.
Divorce also to be paid for.
Naive country girl trapped in big city.
Scared to death of being alone.

I still have friends 30 years later that I made during that Godawful time. And by God, everything managed somehow to get done, including a lot of good times.

What Spaw said the first time. Do it.

Lin