Within These Walls

A navigation of life and college

A photo essay by Katrina Perce

September 23 2024

Work-life balance. One complaint from a college student to an out-of-college listener and this is the response: maintain work-life balance. But, what can that mean in a lifestyle that does not have space for balance?

Many students filling the spaces of college apartments are limited to their temporary space alongside their studies. A college student’s room is incomparable to most. It not only is a place for sleeping, but a hub for their entire life; a place of self-identity and an attempt to create a piece of home in a provisional portion of life.

We take a look inside of Katrina’s room to see the means of life as a graduate student, confined within her bedroom walls.

A view of the balcony entryway inside Katrina's room — A view of a balcony entryway from Katrina’s room. The balcony has become a space of peace and a way to get fresh air in between assignments for Katrina.

A lanyard hanging on a decorated wall with pepper spray, a window breaker, and other items — A lanyard hanging on one of her decorated walls, with pepper spray, a window breaker, and other small items attached. To Katrina, this is an important item to have while living in the city alone.

Each week of a college student’s life is crucial. With only 16 weeks in a semester, there are only few parts of each day that can be sacrificed for rest, social activities, personal care, and work. At times, this means sacrificing the amount of time one spends eating a meal between activities. Other times, this means putting off laundry and cleaning days.

An empty, used plate resting on top of a binder and stool surrounded by background items — A plate placed on top of a binder and stool inside of Katrina’s room, leftover from having a quick meal in between work and hanging out with friends.

A jacket over a tote bag, both hanging on the handle of a door — A jacket hanging on top of a tote bag, both hanging on the bedroom door handle. The jacket is an ongoing art project, worked on when time permits between work and class.

A diploma frame wrapped inside of its original bubble wrap. Purchased to commemorate Katrina’s graduation with her Bachelor’s degree in 2023 and to hang in Katrina’s work office.

A close-up image of a diploma frame wrapped in bubble wrap

For Katrina, work and school consume her weekly 8AM-5PM schedule. Beyond these hours, she picks up several hobbies to get her mind out of work-mode and find a sense of relaxation.

A pickleball paddle and ball resting on the edge of a basket and shelving structure — A pickle ball paddle and ball resting against a picnic basket. Surrounding are a ukulele inside its case and a storage shelf with different art supplies.

A close-up image of two puzzles, one with an image of Frida Kahlo peeking between the foreground — Two puzzles standing alongside an art storage shelf, one puzzle still wrapped in plastic.

A low-ground image of pink roller skates with yellow laces

A pair of roller skates underneath decorative shelves. One of many different parts of the room used as a storage space.

A feeling of home and a sense of belonging defy the four walls that a student is confined by. Personalizing space and keeping small reminders of love and care is what keeps Katrina’s life in balance.

A shelf of items surrounding a miniature trophy with a "Summer Retreat Advisor 2024" tag attached to it — One of Katrina’s decorative shelves with meaningful items: a paper fortune teller from her best friend, a pig full of star wishes from her older sibling, and a miniature trophy from an on-campus organization that she supervises for work and in her free time.

A wide shot of a decorated wall including art prints, photos, and other small items — A wide shot of Katrina’s wall decorations. Includes art prints from a monthly art subscription, postcards gifted from family members and friends, and small items that signify her relationship with loved ones such as notes, pictures, and a stuffed plush.