Supporting yourself while in college! WTF?
 

No offense, really.
The majority of the people I know at my school and job support themselves financially. I thought that was because my school is a primarily commuter campus. After reading some recent posts it turns out a lot of you GCers also support yourself. The same people, bitch about paying bills and being poor.

Question is, why so many 18-22 years support themselves while in college? As if tuition isn't high enough, you have to worry about coming up with more money. Isn't it more convient to live at home or stay in dorm until you graduate? Yeah, yeah I know our parents can be hassles. For me at least, between work, APO, school, church, and other extrecuricular activities I am rarely at home anyways. Am I missing something here? :confused:

I don't think your missing anything, but I also believe it depends on the situation. Some people don't have the luxary of staying at home, and some times dorm life isn't for everyone.
i mean I support my self and go to school full time, along with 30 other things i try to manage at the same time. I mean yea I complain, cause hell I can complain, but everyone needs that space to vent and get it all out. No matter how hard the situation we made it, ya know plus not everyones situation is as easy as you think
DGPhoney~

Re: Supporting yourself while in college! WTF?
 

To everyone who supports themself at college and pays their tuition/book/housing fees - I say more power to you and if you want to bitch about being poor and paying bills, thats your perrogitive b/c you are putting the extra effort forth to get an education - which by finacial standards is not always easy these days.

Luckily enough, my parents still pay my tuition and support me financially through college. But i know how blessed I am and that everyone does not have that luxury. I work my ass off to get good grades and make my parents proud and content that their money was put to good use.

We all don't go to school's where it is feasible or desirable to commute - I'm from chicago and I go to school in iowa - there wasn't anywhere near home i felt was right for me - and thats a matter of personal choice - some people are confined to one area for college, i had my pick of schools.

People who support themselves through college, i've found, often appreciate their education more and work hard to make the greade - becuase who wants to be blowing their own money?

Re: Re: Supporting yourself while in college! WTF?
 

I know that, majority of campuses aren't commuter ones, matter of fact IMO they SUCK!

You're right, I also found people who support themselves tend to value their education more. However, they appear to be very unhappy and forced/rushed to grow up. Not to mention very stressed, I knew if I had to support myself and do college I would end up with an ulcer or in a mental institution.

I mean, Kudos to who can pull it off. But, isn't it a rather extreme measure? Particularly to those who do it voluntarily.

I am all about the student loans!! or grants if I can get them. While its very commendable to support yourself AND go to school full time, I dont think I could do that, atleast right now. School is the main focus in my life and I wouldnt want to have any big worries to distract me from that. I lived off campus for a year and had plent yof money for tuition, rent, food, ect ect ect(and there were plenty of ects!!) Obviously you pay for that later, but I would rather be sure I am getting the best education that can rather than worrying about money.

I know you mentioned something about living in the dorms, here it is definately cheaper to live off campus. In the dorms you pay over 2000 bucks a semester, and to live off campus right now Im paying 1100... so... if someone was to support themselves, off campus is the place to be.

Also we do have alot of locals who go here, so they can commute, but I live an hour away so I cant.

Clarion Term Definition:
Local:
1- a person who lives in Clarion County
2- a hick
3- a hick who only comes out at A.L.F. or Spring Fling and Sundays at Wal Mart, usually scary.

I was one of the people who supported myself for the most part during college, although I did live at home...the cost of living in a dorm was waaaay to expensive. I didnt want to take out student loans because I wanted to graduate with a clean financial slate. My parents did help me with tuition, but I tried to work as much as I could, because even though my parents are poor, they were helping my brother and sister at the same time through college. There was no feeling like the bad feeling I had when I found out how much money my parents had to take out of their own retirement to help send us to school. I dont really have anything else to say other than...maybe people who complain about having to support themselves during college have to out of necessity.

But, when you get done with bills, isn't it more expensive?

I lived in a pretty nice apt off campus and paid like $220 I think, with bills it ended up around 275-300. That included a garage aswell. Oh thats with a roommate too...

I'm always in awe of people who can support themselves totally during college. I have a very part-time (read, 6 hours/week) because it's in my major, but I use that money to pay sorority dues and trips to visit my boyfriend and things I'd just rather not ask my parents for. It's bad enough that they pay what is equal to the average income for a FAMILY just for me to go to school a year, and I'm not going to tax them further with paying for extras outside of tuition, room, board, books, supplies, travel, and general personal expenses--oh yeah, can't forget emergencies. If you go to a public school, chances are the tuition is lower and there's a housing shortage--which makes living off-campus and supporting yourself through a job much more feasible. I know where I go to school, the surrounding neighborhood is rather expensive, and everyone is required to live on campus for their first three years, and many seniors don't even live off-campus, because it's cheaper and much less of a hassle. I'm sure that if I had gone to my state university or even an out-of-state public school, I wouldn't work at all, and I'd probably have even more disposable income. It all depends on where you go to school.

People support themselves basically because they HAVE to. Despite the relative affluence of the United States, so many people are in debt and can barely pay all of their bills, let's not even go into paying one (or MORE) college tuitions. Also, there are so many people who are not financially dependent on their parents.

The way I see it, most of us have jobs because of our GLOs. They need money. Not just for national dues, but for shirts, goin out with the guys/girls, buying paraphenalia, and holding events. its not that it's all about the money, but it's nice to have it.

and since we're already working for our GLO's, we might as well work a little bit more and be independent. sure bills suck, but its a price worth payin in my book.

Re: Supporting yourself while in college! WTF?
 

Well, it may be more "convenient" to live at home or stay in a dorm, but what is convenient is not always best.

I went to college about 4 hours away from where my parents live. I'm glad I did, too. It's not that I don't love my parents (I do) but IMHO, one of the most important things about college is learning to live, more or less, on your own. Even though my parents paid for college, I still learned important things being away from them. Also, living in an apartment instead of a dorm helps prepare you for life in the "real world" where you have to do things like set up electricity and phone service, pay bills, cook and clean up after yourself.

I think that it would be unfortunate to miss out on all these learning opportunities and graduate college never having lived away from your parents. You're behind the curve, then, and lack a lot of the skills that your peers have already been developing for years.

Re: Re: Re: Supporting yourself while in college! WTF?
 

You wouldn't end up with an ulcer or in a mental institution. That's just what you think because you're not doing it. I look at it like this. College is about WAY more than what you get in your classes. It's also about the LIFE experiences that you have. College is supposed to "prepare" you for LIFE. And life is HARD!! So what better time to get the practice of being on your own than in college. Was it hard for me? Yep. I have a GRIP of student loans, and I STILL had to work 2 or 3 part time jobs at a time. I went to school away from home (only 3 hours). Not to mention, both of my parents passed away while I was in school. So, I didn't have a choice but to learn how to support myself. Was I stressed? Yep. Did I get a healthy amount of sleep? Nope. Do I think it's extreme? Nope. My philosophy, you do what you gotta do. I did what I had to do. Do I regret any of it? Nope, not one little bit. Those experiences made me who I am today, and I'm thankful for them. I cried MANY, MANY a night. It took me 5 years. But I did it. And studied abroad, too! I'm proud of myself, and I think my parents would be proud, too. To this day, it's my most important accomplishment.

The thing of it is, everyone can hack it, if you HAD to. But if you don't have to, DON'T!!! I don't want my kids to go through what I went through. I hate these loans hanging over my head, but they were worth it. I guess what I'm trying to say is, there are probably a lot of things that you don't think you can do. But I'm a living testimony!!! :)

I think you guys are missing the point, SOME people HAVE to support themselves at a young age, that's fine. But, it confuses me why some people who DO have the option of waiting, are willing to go through all of that crap. Sure, it prepares us for the real world. But, we have the rest of our lives to grow up. Why do it at 18 or 19 or even 20? The idea is ludacris, majority of the people I know who voluntarily support themselves so young, wind up back home anyways with their folks.

Re: Re: Re: Re: Supporting yourself while in college! WTF?
 

I'm very sorry to hear about that. :(

At what age do you think it's feasible to START growing up?

Nope. Right now the only bills I have are my phone and internet.

For all you who look to make the treck out west to Southern California...Bring some money, you cant find a nice aprtmnt in a nice area for less than a $500 a person...and a beer for under $5...there arent any freebees out here in cali..you pay for what you get...

see I make money by babysitting part-time I watch 3 kids 20 hours a week and get paid $175 a week!! The really cool part is that I don't have to pay taxes either!! YAAAY!! or at least taxes arent taken out!! I also live at home right now so that I can save up to get an apt. hopefully sometime this summer before school starts in Aug!! But I dont really have too many bills I have my cell phone bill and of course my car insurance but thats all right now!!

Nicholi

21???Hell, why should I be considered an adult when I can't simply get a cold beer or a night out at the casino? :confused:

Re: Re: Re: Re: Supporting yourself while in college! WTF?
 

Heck, I'M proud of you! Where did you end up going abroad? I'm spending next semester in Rome...I can hardly wait!

Okay...some people definitely have the option of waiting. A lot of those same people, however, have parents with whom they don't see eye to eye regarding the scope of their academic career, and would rather pay for school themselves than deal with parents wondering why they majored in what they did, etc. Some parents will comment on exactly where their money's going, and that can cause a lot of stress for people. I have a lot of friends (not at my school) who have parents like that, and rather than hear their parents b----ing, they'll just pay for it themselves. Don't forget that there are also parents who don't support their children's lifestyle choices, and often give them the choice of not living that life or being on their own.

Oh, I get the point. It's just not as simple as it may seem.

On another note, I don't feel "unprepared" for life outside of my dorm. It's just that, in my case, not living in the dorm for my last year is something I just don't want to do. A man was killed not 5 blocks from where I live two weeks ago. The rent for a studio apartment can reach over $1,000. That may be "the real world", but I'm not about trying to dodge bullets or high rents when I'm writing a thesis. Is there anything wrong with that? Does that make me less mature than my peers? No.

Unlike many on my campus and others I know, I didnt have the option of mommy or daddy paying for everything. It was I pay and take out the laons or I dont go, ANd there was no way on this earth I wasnt going. I worked sometimes 25-35 hours a week and was usually taking about 16 credits a semester. Its not easy. Life is stressful whether you have to do this or not. It doesnt make you mental, but I think stronger. Yeah I have bills galore and im in debt, but I know it will be worth it. You have to take the low road inorder to get to the high one. And yeah at 22 I still live with mom, and feel there is nothing wrong with it. Im looking after my mom, but at the same time, trying to get my stuff together so in a year or two when I do move out ill be in a position were ill be semi financially stable and more independent and able to get the stuff and do the things I want. Im sorry but I cant stand people who get every single thing handed to them (not that its always their fault...i.e Im dealing with a friend like that now)

...excuse me while i bitch...

i work between 35-40 hours a week while i finish part-time studies, 6 credits this semester, 9 next...
not only do i have to make payments on my loan, i'm also being charged interest on it right now even though i'm not finished school...or have a real job...

Another point i'd like to make about living arrangements: for our school and our rival there is simply not enough housing in the city for everyone...the waiting list to get into residence on campus equals capacity at both schools.

one advantage of not having daddy pay my way -> not responsible to anyone if i get garbage marks.

Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Supporting yourself while in college! WTF?
 

Thanks! :) I was a Spanish major, so I studied is Seville, Spain for about 4 months, one semester. I LOVED IT!!!! I TRULY believe that EVERYONE should do it. Sometimes, I think that it should be a requirement. Doesn't take much cash, either, I mean, you are going to study. I took $600 dollars with me. That's it, lol, cuz that's all I had. So I couldn't travel like I would have liked, but I LEARNED SO MUCH about Ideal08. I know that if I can go to a country where I know absolutely no one, can't understand what the people are saying unless they talk to me like I'm 3, and still survive, I can do pretty much anything. It is the best learning experience!!! You will love it SO much!!! Some days, I look at my pics from over there, and I just get teary eyed. I want to go back SO bad. One day...

See, college is the only time in your life where you can have an experience like this. Live in a foreign country for 4 months for cheaper than it is to go to your school (well, in my case). I mean, when do you get that opportunity again? You're already paying to be in school anyway, might as well get away for a little while. See how another culture lives, learn what you take for granted here in the US, and what things the US could benefit from by adopting.

I'm rambling, lol, but all in all, it was one of the best experiences of my life!!! You are going to have SO much fun in Rome!!!!!! I had a BALL on a STRICT budget, and I got the BEST grades there! I got better grades there than I got at Wittenberg, LOL!

See, thanks A LOT sh80er! :p Now I'm all nostalgic for my college days gone by. :( :) (it's bittersweet...)

rent's ridiculous out here as well, each yr. vacancy is less than .5%, supply and demand at its finest...don't know about you, but here we always try to cram in as many as possible to split the rent.