<p>I'm not sure how much adjusting I'll have to do yet, but I do want to get a job. </p>
<p>Did/do you work while in college? Where? Do you work just for some extra money or to pay off your tuition?</p>
<p>Some people do the first semester, some don’t. It also depends on how many credits you’ll be taking. I’m also starting college this fall (leaving in 15 days!!!). I’m not planning on working first semester. Unless your family really needs you to work in order to pay for school, probably wait at least a semester. Again, depends on how many credits you’re taking. If you’re like me and wanting to take above the average credit load and in a credit-heavy and time-heavy major already, you will probably be busy with school. I might work another semester if I have time, but we’ll see. If I do, it will be for extra $ because parents pay for tuition, room, board, books, fees, etc. I can just work in the summer if I want to. For a lot of people, besides considering the credit load thing, I think it depends on if it’s super NECESSARY for them to work to pay tuition.</p>
<p>It depends. I worked during mine, but I pay for my own books, cell, and car stuff. Mostly people do it because they have to pay their own bills. Working can make for some interesting stories and working on campus can help with meeting people (If you work an easier or more laid back job). Not working can sometimes make for some attitudes from some people. I didn’t work last year (but had a lot of money saved up) and some people gave off a real judgmental vibe.</p>
<p>I got a work study award my first year, and I didn’t take advantage of it because I didn’t want to overwhelm myself. This year, when I had planned to do it, they didn’t give it to me in my financial aid! So if they give you work study, I suggest you take it! At my university, they only allow you to work 6 hours a week, so it’s not too much.</p>
<p>This year I may be working at Walmart near school (I worked there this summer and might be able to transfer). That will be more difficult than work study because of the work dress code (would probably have to change clothes before work), getting off campus to Walmart, etc. It’s up to you…I somehow made it through my first year with enough money, even though I didn’t work and never asked my mom for money to help me out. It depends a lot on your financial situation.</p>
<p>I worked in my first semester and i did not feel that my job got in the way of my academics or social life. I found the opposite to be true, actually. I procrastinated much more later in the two semesters that I did not have a work-study job. Unless you have another heavy time commitment (e.g. athletics), you should be able to handle an 8-10 hour student job. A job will also help you meet more people and get connected on campus. My on-campus employers have pulled strings for me countless times to bybass annoying campus policies!</p>
<p>Having a job during college also helps as a resume builder, especially if you are working in an office of some sort. College kids have a lot of free time - you aren’t in classes 40 hours a week! Working 8-10 hours a week is perfectly manageable if you are at all smart with good time management skills. If you need remedial help, then, yeah, maybe you shouldn’t have a job…otherwise, you can definitely handle it.</p>
<p>I’m an incoming freshman and I start my on-campus job in 2 weeks. I think I’ll be able to handle it because I have friends who have worked there and they say it’s pretty laid back and you can get homework/studying done a lot of the time. So I would recommend talking to people about what jobs really work with the college student’s schedule. Also, I’m doing it to take a little pressure off my parents who are paying for most of my tuition.</p>
<p>Yeah, I applied to about 15 campus jobs so far, because I need one to pay for college. If your parents are paying for everything though, it’s a little less necessary.</p>
<p>I worked like 8 hours a week my first semester. It was fine, but I didn’t take many challenging classes. This year I could only get 6 hours a week (different job) but it’s fine since there’s nothing I actually have to pay for.</p>
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<p>That entirely depends upon the rigor of the school as well as one’s major. As if college only took the time one spent in class! If that is the case, you are getting a very dumbed down education for likely a hefty price.</p>
<p>“Is it ideal to work during your first semester of college?”</p>
<p>Study dealt with this: [Working</a> in College](<a href=“http://www.brockport.edu/career01/upromise.htm]Working”>http://www.brockport.edu/career01/upromise.htm) . To summarize, no it’s not ideal but if you only work a handful of hours a week it won’t matter very much.</p>
<p>I designed my schedule so that I could easily find a job. I don’t have any classes after 12:05 or 12:15, so hopefully I’ll be able to find something in the early afternoons.</p>
<p>But I think if you’re smart time-wise, you can give up 10 hours a week for a job if you need to.</p>
<p>UAKid: the author you quoted seems to say the opposite - that working a part-time job is beneficial. To quote:</p>
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<p>@b@r!ium. Yes, I remember that conclusion was made. But 10 hours a week is not very much. Most part time jobs I’ve found are 15-20 hours and the OP didn’t specify whether or not he wanted part time or full time.</p>
<p>You are right that I shouldn’t make assumptions on the OP’s intentions but that doesn’t change the fact that you (apparently knowingly) misquoted the article you linked to. Their conclusion is the opposite of what you stated for the most likely scenario: that the OP wants to work only a few hours part-time. According to the article you quoted, the most common work commitment for a full-time student at a 4-year college is 1-15 hours per week. And none of the work-study jobs at my college require more than 10 hours per week, some as few as 2.</p>
<p>I don’t think it’s ever ‘ideal’ to work lol but it isn’t at all hard to work around 10 hours a week. It’s my opinion that it’s best to start out working a bit just to sort of get used to working along with studying or whatever.</p>
<p>If you have a job, you will figure out pretty fast if it is too much. I did not work my first year of college, and DD will start her first college job this fall as a junior. If you feel as though you need the money, make sure you plan your time wisely. And remember, some jobs are easier than others.</p>
<p>I know my parents won’t be a good source of money, so I’m glad I have my work/study job for spending money. 10 hours a week doesn’t sound bad at all.</p>
<p>10 hours sounds great for college, if you were working like 20-30 or more, well…</p>
<p>it can really depend. what are your classes like? how much studying do you do? how dedicated will you to be to your job? how can you handle stress? theres a ton of things to ocnsider. I worked and I was fine but I know others who werent able to, even after their first year. I guess my advice is if your class load isnt too bad and you need a little extra cash, i would go for it. just keep in mind it will be more work (it is work after all) and you have to handle it in a responsible fashion.</p>