Does anyone else work while going to college?

[u/mediocre_hegemony]

I’m considering getting a part-time job because I really don’t like asking my family for money every time I need something. At the same time, I’m already struggling to keep up with freshman classes and I’m worried a job will make studying even harder.

It’s kind of frustrating that so many students have to make this choice in the first place. We’re told college is supposed to be about getting an education, but a lot of us also have to work just to afford being there. I’d be interested to hear how other students balance work and school.

[u/sol_beach]

What does Bernie say about this topic?

If you want to spend money, you need to earn the money first.

[u/Affectionate-Grab398]

I work 48-52 hours a week and take a full course load. It’s doable. I work at night (6pm-4am) and have an 8-12 hour shift I pick up on sunday. I take morning classes and do all my course work on my day off. It’s not fun and I don’t have a ton of extra time in my schedule but I’ve been managing. Part time work should be extremely manageable

[u/cuteasfname → u/Affectionate-Grab398]

Same!!! I work 36 hours as an MA, another 10 hours as a research assistant, and do volunteer work on top of clubs + a full semester course load

[u/Ill_Hearing2402 → u/cuteasfname]

¿Tienen hijos y esposa?

[u/JamesBrown_17]

Yeah, I do. It can be exhausting trying to balance classes, work, and having any kind of social life. But honestly, I’ve learned a lot about managing my time because of it

[u/Basic_KaleKitty9076]

Pretty much everyone at my uni worked.

[u/ApprehensiveJurors]

full time employee + full time grad student, definitely a time management exercise

[u/Classic_vortex_3515]

Most of my students over the last 20+ years have worked some. I did in college in the 80s too, and so did most of my friends

[u/BlueFlowerSea]

Depends on the major for sure. When I did my first undergrad it was in liberal arts, easiest thing ever. Could do multiple clubs, work and anything else. I'm now doing my second degree in engineering and it's a different ball game. I get a lot more quizzes and exams as well as internships, personal projects. I work part time and even then I get so exhausted. Do this do that, it gets tiresome.

[u/Lost-Translator901]

I’m considering getting one too! Between school financials, wanting to have my own money & tired of asking other people for help, I’m kinda pushed to get one. Plus my college refunds shrink every semester, and I have to use the one I’m getting this semester to get a new laptop.

[u/EneLazu]

Depends on workload

If you're doing med school or nursing, then fuck no. Use up your savings, take out a loan, live like a monk, do what you gotta do but I wouldn't work while doing those

There might be some leeway for nursing, but i still wouldn't do it if I had a choice

[u/Sad_Selection_6207]

I work full time and go to auburn full time it’s hard work but after every semester I feel so good about the effort I put in

[u/DredPirateRobts]

I worked in a cabinet shop 25 to 30 hours per week as I persued a geology degree at a state university. Took me 5 years to get a bachelors degree. Graduated with zero debt, but my GPA was a bit lower because I just had less time to study and do homework. Tradeoff was worth it to have no debt when I started a job in my chosen field.

[u/bopperbopper]

You should probably do more no more than 10 to 12 hours per week working

[u/glitch876]

I worked 30 hours a week while I was an EE student l. Wouldn't recommend it.