Supporting yourself while in college! WTF?

[Ideal08]

Originally posted by SH80er
we have the rest of our lives to grow up. Why do it at 18 or 19 or even 20?

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

[AngelPhiSig]

Originally posted by SH80er


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

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

[SAE1955]

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...

[SparkliiQTMTSU]

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

[SH80er]

Originally posted by Ideal08


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

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?

[AlphaChiGirl]

Originally posted by Ideal08


I did it. And studied abroad, too! I'm proud of myself, and I think my parents would be proud, too.

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)

[Lil_G]

...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.

[Ideal08]

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

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! Now I'm all nostalgic for my college days gone by. (it's bittersweet...)

[Lil_G]

Originally posted by SAE1955
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...

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.