Lately I've faced a number of life-changing decisions, my latest one being whether to attend college full-time in the summer AND work, or just focus on college.

 

Here is the reason for my debate: I recently moved to a new state with my spouse for a job opportunity.  We're making enough money that I don't have to work, but I feel bad not helping out at all and only focusing on school.  Also, I am completely isolated because I don't know anyone here and really don't like where we live.  I thought a job would help get me acclimated, yet I fear the potential of being overburdened by working and going to college, especially if I don't technically *have* to work.

 

Fellow college students, what would you do?  I have been in college before while working full time and it sucked.  And this was when I was single.  Right now I have so much free time on my hands that I just want to be busy doing something (I'm between semesters due to the move so I'm not in college right now, but I plan to get into classes in the summer), but I also don't want to be overwhelmed by doing everything and never having free time.  Should I get a job, or should I just suck it up and be jobless until I start school again?

The only one that can truly give you an answer, is you yourself, it's unfortunate but true, however, I recommend staying at college, you'll be able to relax for a little and think out your next move maybe, right :]?

Edited April 13, 201510 yr by Iamkingdomhearts1000

I'm currently in college full-time, with a small job three days a week. And even though that job only comes down to about 15 hours a week, it's still a massive pain having to put whatever I'm writing or reading on hold for a job so I can live the way I currently do. 

So, I dunno. I can handle what I'm doing, but I would not recommend it to anyone prone to stress. I think it helps if the job's a little mindless and easy, that way you won't have to completely switch your attention all the time.

I guess if you have free time now, and you think you'll have free time during college as well, then yes, go for it, dual-wield job and college. Just keep an exit-strategy in mind.

I'm currently in college full-time, with a small job three days a week. And even though that job only comes down to about 15 hours a week, it's still a massive pain having to put whatever I'm writing or reading on hold for a job so I can live the way I currently do. 

So, I dunno. I can handle what I'm doing, but I would not recommend it to anyone prone to stress. I think it helps if the job's a little mindless and easy, that way you won't have to completely switch your attention all the time.

I guess if you have free time now, and you think you'll have free time during college as well, then yes, go for it, dual-wield job and college. Just keep an exit-strategy in mind.

Basically this. I worked a job my first semester of college because I needed money to pay for it. It was pretty exhausting and if I didnt need to I would have just stuck with school work.

On one hand, I'd like to say you shouldn't have to overwhelm yourself if you're able to get by; most students juggle college and work because there's not much option. On the other hand, going jobless would put you at a disadvantage after graduation if the work experience you do have doesn't count for something (take this from me). It partially depends on your field and partially depends on how you're able to handle your schoolwork. When you're a student at college, college is your first priority -- but as it's been mentioned, to have college as a priority at all might involve having to pay for it yourself. In other words, the ones who do it probably can't get away without doing it.

 

If you're gonna shoot for a job, at least pick a low-demanding one. Money doesn't seem to be a huge concern for you, so you have your pick of which easy and menial job to take for some extra grocery cash. You really don't need workplace stress to compound the stress you'd already have with your classes. Sad to say, in almost all the cases I've seen, the ones who have to juggle full-time class and a job usually have to let one suffer at the expense of the other. Usually it's their grades that take a dive, which is bad news for the students enrolled in programs like scholarships that require a certain (high) GPA. All in all, it boils down to what you're willing to put up with more: letting your spouse do all the heavy lifting and potentially soften your resume with not enough job experience; or a semesters-long balls-to-the-walls grind that might just burn you out instead of help you. Only you can decide what you're able to juggle. Talk to your spouse about what he's willing to do for you and what he thinks.

I'd say focus on college first then as you progress pick your job choice and move on from there. Obviously its your choice and you shouldn't fully base it upon our opinions, but just to explain what I would do personally. If you feel that getting a job is a good opportunity for yourself, I say go right ahead.

If you think work is going to get in the way of college, then i'd say stick to college for the time being. When the time comes when college isn't in the way of work, then get a job.

I would say if you're really that bored, go and get a job, but try to find one for you that isn't going to be so time consuming that it'll overwhelm you when you return to College, since you say that at the moment you guys are making ends meet well without any real problems or money troubles. Like Dracozombie said, it'll be good if you have more experience working for after you've graduated. Plus, having more money in your pocket is always a good thing, like for when you wanna spoil yourself every now and then. But again, make sure that if you are going to get a job, it's one that you think you have time to juggle with your School life. I've seen when you tend to have other obligations alongside school, whether it be sports or a job or something else, typically people have to let one aspect of their life suffer over the other(s) and I'm sure you don't want that. 
 
This is my advice, but remember, it's all up to you. If you think that you're better off just focusing on School for the time being, that's a good option too. At least that way you can still have some free time when you go the college and not be overwhelmed. Maybe talk to your Spouse aswell about what he/she thinks on your feelings on this and if they really mind that you aren't helping to support them. Besides, you could spend your free time now doing other things like catching up on good literature or games, or doing sports or that stuff.
 

Btw, omg you got married? Congrats Mystic! : D
 

Edited April 13, 201510 yr by BlazingArachnid99

Well, this all depends on you, but like everyone here has said, if you want to get a job, try finding one that's simple enough so that it doesn't get in the way of your studies.  The key thing for you here is to balance your life, and if you get a job, then that's something you have to balance with school, but I'm sure that if you're determined enough, you can balance both fairly well, and plus, with any free time you could have left, you could spend time with your spouse!  Since right now you aren't taking classes, you have time to think on what you want to do, so I suggest you meditate and discuss with your spouse to see what solution is the best. ^_^

Edited April 14, 201510 yr by Shigehiko