<p>Well, I am trying to get some advice regarding having a job during college. I currently have a job, and plan on working at this job until I go off to college. If I would like to, I am able to transfer to a closer location to my college, but I am not sure if I can handle a job. I definitely didn't plan on workoing for the first few weeks, but I am debating for after those first few weeks. I am scared I will not have enough money, although my family says they will send me some money. I am not too sure how college tuition works, so if anyone could also please help explain that to me, that would be good. For example, will I have to make payments throughout the semester, or just one large sum up front? I definitely plan on getting a student loan to help me with that as well.</p>
<p>For tuition payments, you should probably contact your schools Bursar building, because the payment methods for most colleges are going to be similar, but not the exact same. For my school, you have to pay at least half by the first day of class, then you are a two (or it might be three) week window to come up with the remaining half. I'm pretty sure you also pay an additional $100 or something if you do the half and half payment option.</p>
<p>I know for off-campus dorms/apartments, you can either opt to pay one large lump sum, or pay monthly but at a slightly higher cost than if you just payed the lump sum.</p>
<p>I didn't have a job first semester freshman year, and while I loved the freedom, I got a job second semester and have had that job ever since. Fall of sophomore year I started working a second job as well. It's a big time commitment, but I love what I do and it beats sitting on the couch all afternoon. I'm glad I had the first semester off to figure out the pace of college life--the classes, the social life, campus events, etc. My parents didn't send me any money (I used my summer savings) and that part sucked but if your family is willing to send you money you should be okay.</p>
<p>Student loans are usually applied in one sum up front. That's how I pay my portion of tuition. My mom pays through a monthly payment plan, and my dad pays a lump sum up front. Your school will be able to tell you what your options are, and it's more than likely written on the school's Fin Aid or Tuition/Fees website.</p>
<p>Alright, thanks for the help.</p>
<p>Personal experience: it is a lot easier to have a job at the beginning of the semester than at the end of the semester because most most course work is due in the second half of the semester. On top of that, I usually establish a weekly routine early in the semester and being forced to make significant changes to this routine is rather stressful for me. Therefore, I would encourage you to find a job early in the semester if you plan to work.</p>
<p>The problem I find with having a job and being a full time student is that even though I might be scheduled to work only 10 hours a week, those 10 hours can be crucial for studying. A job can get in the way of school work early on in the semester, then towards the end of the semester I am kicking myself in the ass because I am borderline between grades and I have to ace the finals in order to get a good or acceptable grade. And working 10 hours a week won't make you that much money anyway, like what... $150 or so? I'd rather focus on getting as good of grades as possible than be bothered with work. But that is my experience with jobs not connected to my school, work-study programs are more flexible with students. </p>
<p>Some people are able to handle having a job and being a full time student. I am going into my sophomore year next semester, so I still have to establish myself academically before I can have a little bit of room to work a part time job.</p>
<p>i work two jobs..and i feel that working helps me manage my time more efficiently..thus less time spent procrastinating</p>
<p>I second bannana_girl. And it's not like you could work continuously from 9 am to 11 pm. At least I can't. I worked dinner shifts in the dining halls as a freshman, and on the nights that I did not work I never studied during that time frame. I just needed some time off between afternoon classes and late-night study sessions.</p>
<p>But whether you want to work or not is your own decision. Many of my classmates chose not to work freshman year to get used to college and have an opportunity to enjoy the freedom of college. Not having a job during the school year is a perfectly fine decision if you have the financial means to do it and even recommended by several of my professors.</p>