Working while in College?

Nubian · #1 08-05-2000, 10:58 PM

For those of you who have completed your undergraduate studies, or those who are currently undergraduates, I have a HUGE dilema and hopefully one of you can help.

I attend my university on a full academic scholarship, if my cumulative GPA falls below 3.0 for more than 1 semester my scholarship is taken away. Anyway, I came home for the summer break and got a job to help my parents with their bills, and earn some spending money for the upcoming semester, initially it was only a summer job, however there was a recent family situation that all but drained my bank acoount, meaning that I will either be dirt poor for the upcoming semester, or that I will have to continue to work while in school (while it would only be on weekends, it is a 45 minute commute, and I am a Biology-Pre Med Major, so study time is a must).

So, after saying all this,do any of you consider it wise towork while in school, through your experience does it have any affect on grades? I have so much to lose by making the wrong decision, any help would be appreciated.

Love,
Me

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The most virtuous of all men is he that contents himself with being virtuous without seeking to appear so...

Positive Kay · #2 08-06-2000, 12:32 AM

Nubian,
I will be graduating this year and my major is Sports Med. (Which is not as demanding as Pre Med) I was able to work and keep a good GPA. If you are able to get a "work study" or "student hourly" job. You should be OK. These are jobs offered by the school that require only 20 hours a week at the most. These are also jobs that DO give you time to study while on duty. Look into this at your school, it may help!!

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Set your goal!! Strive!! Bask in your reward!!

Positive Kay

blu_theatrics · #3 08-06-2000, 02:36 AM

I to have a full academic scholarship and my GPA can't fall below 3.6. I work part-time (about 20-30 hours a week) I just find that i have to prioritze sometimes. There will just have to be a little less time to play around and more time to study. My freshman year I didn't have a car, so i had to catch the bus to school and that was were I think I did my best reading. Also I'm not sure how much influece you have over your scheduling, but you might want to try to get a few electives out of the way this semester so that you won't have to focus on a large amount of demanding classes while you make this transistion.

Nubian · #4 08-06-2000, 04:59 PM

I wish I had a little more control over my scheduling, this upcoming semester I will more than likely take Calculus, Genetics, and Organic Chemistry, among other things, do you think this will have an impact?

Love,
Me

CANDID#4 · #5 08-06-2000, 06:03 PM

Well Nubian, you sound busy!!!

I am in your same situation. I am a Computer Science major which is very demanding. I have a school job (which pays my room & board w/ no extra cash, so I will have to work), but I will have to get a job, remain semi-active in extracirricular. And other things. The main thing is time management. To be honest I can't tell you whether you should work through school or not because I don't know how good you are on time management. If you KNOW, it will be overwhelming to you, DON'T DO IT!! Just because someone else has done it, doesn't mean you can. Set your goals high, but also know there are only 24 hours in a day.

Hope this helped.

#6 08-07-2000, 06:42 PM

Nubian,

I agree with CANDID#4. No one can really tell you what you should do. Only you know how demanding your schedule is. Only you know how well you can manage your time. I've already graduated, but while I was an ungrad student, I was able to work and go to school full time without my grades declining. I was also a Criminal Justice major so my major was probably not as demanding as yours.

Whatever you choose to do, good luck and my prayers will be with you.

Spotlight4Delta · #7 08-07-2000, 10:13 PM

I worked and is still working while I am in college. The only semester that I didn't work was when I pledged Delta and my GPA dropped-terribly! Working in college is not bad, it helps you put your priorities in order. Instead of sitting in my room and watching "A Different World," I had to go to work and find time afterwards to do homework and other activities. You just have to prioritize your time to accomendate your study time or find a job where you can study like at the school's library.

#8 08-22-2000, 03:31 PM

It's all about time management. I work evening about between 25 and 35 hours a week. While I do not have a scholarship, I am striving to raise my g.p.a. from a 3.3 to at least a 3.5 On the days that I work I get out of class have a half an hour to eat and then I go straight to work. I get home at about 10 at night study, do my crunches (my stomach is out of control), and goof off if I have extra time, and then I go to bed. My schedule is boring and very redundant but it is the only way i get get everything done that I need to in a day without my work, school, or personal time suffering. You just have to try different combinations until you find your balance.

*Steps back into the mist*
*A bright light flashes*

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and like that...she was GONE