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My thoughts: “How can I be in two places at once? If I pick one, I’m letting the other down.”

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Two notifications lit up my phone almost back-to-back.

5:02 p.m. – Boss: “Can you do 5-close?”

5:12 p.m. – Group Chat: “Reminder: tonight 7 p.m. mandatory project meeting.”

My rent, bills, and my group’s expectations collided in that moment.

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“If I let my boss down, he’ll be upset—and I need the money. It’s only one meeting, right?”

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Without thinking too long, I agreed to cover the shift.

Sent my group a halfhearted message: “Might not make it, sorry.”

Put on my uniform, tied my apron, and walked out the door with a knot in my stomach.

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The Jetsons Clip: Getting Ready For Work

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“The fryer’s popping, orders keep piling up… but my group is probably waiting on me. I can’t shake this feeling I’ve made the wrong call.”

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The fryer hissed, grease hung heavy in the air, and orders stacked up.

My phone buzzed in my pocket again and again.

I ignored it until my break, but the guilt grew with each vibration.

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Discover & share this fry falafel Animated GIF by Falafayette with everyone you know. GIPHY is how you search, share, discover, and create GIFs.

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“They’ve already divided the work without me. Their texts sting. I really did let them down.”

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Checked my phone:

“We already split the work without you.”

“This isn’t fair.”

“We needed you tonight.”

Shame burned through me stronger than the heat of the kitchen.

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Three Uk Text GIF by Relaxing Stuff - Find & Share on GIPHY

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Discover & share this Three Uk Text GIF by Relaxing Stuff with everyone you know. GIPHY is how you search, share, discover, and create GIFs.

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“The guilt feels heavier than the shift. I failed them—and I failed myself.”

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The night finally ended.

Walking out into the cool air, I felt the weight of guilt heavier than the exhaustion of the shift.

I knew I had failed both my group and myself.

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8:45 a.m. (Next Morning) | Taking Responsibility

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8:45 a.m. (Next Morning) | Taking Responsibility

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Faced my group during class. No excuses—told them I had chosen work for the money, and it was wrong.

Agreed to take extra editing and citations.

Later that night, emailed my professor to explain what happened and take accountability.

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Meeting On The Table Now GIF - Meeting On The Table Now Lets The The Meeting - Discover & Share GIFs

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“If I don’t schedule ahead, I’ll fall into the same trap again. I need to protect my school time.”

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Sunday nights → weekly 30-minute planning session to block out class and group work before scheduling shifts.

Mid-week → quick group check-ins to avoid surprises.

First time I told my boss, “I can’t work Tuesday evenings,” my voice shook—but it got easier every time.

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“I’m showing up early now. Not to prove something flashy—but to quietly earn back their trust.”

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Started noticing the little things:

“Mandatory” really means your presence matters.

Group silence means frustration.

Last-minute decisions ripple far beyond you.

Began showing up early to meetings, ready to work, to prove I could be counted on again.

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“This time I’m sticking with school. No hesitation. For once, I feel proud of the choice I made.”

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Final Project Stage | A Different Choice

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Final Project Stage | A Different Choice

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Another Tuesday, another text: “Can you cover 5-close?”

This time, I opened my calendar and typed: “Not available – class commitment.”

Sent it before I could second-guess myself.

My phone stayed silent during the meeting.

After we wrapped up, a teammate said: “Thanks for picking it, bro.” It was simple, but it meant everything.