Late college student - opinions needed!

<p>Here's a quick background on me. I graduated high School a semester early. I worked for 9 months and then started community college. I quit going to school after two months. I worked my up the corporate ladder in a fast food restaurant to a store manager at 22 years old (also moved out at 22 years old on my own). Did that for two years, saved up some money and got burned out. Decided to do some world traveling for 5 months at 24 years old and I also took a few more months off spending time with my family/Grandma (who probably has another couple years to live that's it). It was the greatest 7 months of my life.</p>

<p>I came back from my world travel and started community college this spring semester & plan on transferring to UNCC in NC after I get my associates. I've been working 30 hours a week and have taken five classes. I already finished one class, made an A in it. I'm making all A's in my classes now, and as long as I don't choke on my exams I should make all A's in all my classes. I'm proud of my hard work this semester.</p>

<p>Now for my questions. Number 1. Should I take summer school and try to get my degree as soon as possible? I don't want to burn myself out and I figure I'm 25 years old and am a freshman in college. If I try to get my degree as early as possible by loading up with summer courses each semester will it really matter if I'm 29 and graduating instead of being 30 and graduating? However I think my father wants me to take summer classes.</p>

<p>Question number 2: If I don't' go to summer school, would it be a responsible decision to spend my money traveling Europe and possibly some of the USA or Mexico this summer using my own personal money? Or perhaps take the summer off and work 40 hours a week most weeks but still do some traveling, just maybe not for months at a time this time. I can afford this but if I travel to Europe I might be close to broke by the time I get back although I could just build up money again assuming my classes are going OK. </p>

<p>I'm also living back home at my fathers house. However my father lives with his girlfriend so I basically have the house to myself. I put a down payment on a car and my father happily said he could afford the $215 a month payments as long as I was going to school (I wanted to get a used car with my own money but he said it would be better to get a new car and he can afford and is happy to pay the payments). I don't pay rent or utilities. I pay for my food, gas, medical insurance, car insurance, phone bill and am taking out student loans (although I keep lights in the house to a minimum, only keep the thermostat where my father would have it anyway and I shower out of a bucket like I did traveling in Nepal and Mexico to keep my part of the water bill down which is probably nothing seeing as I shower out of a bucket. No I'm not lying about that haha). </p>

<p>I just need your opinions on if I should take summer school and if I don't take summer school would it be a responsible decision to do some world traveling at 25 years old living at home going to school. Part of me says go travel while I'm young, take the summer off, and enjoy the experiences that traveling has to offer. The other part of me says I'm not 18 or even in my early twenties anymore and I should save my money towards future loans and get my degree as quickly as possible. Thoughts?</p>

<p>You seem to like to travel. Why not do a semester (or summer) abroad? You’ll get college credits and the lifestyle you crave!</p>