Need Parent Wisdom!

Parent Cafe
1

<p>I have a small conundrum . . .</p>

<p>Yesterday I finally received notice that my grade in a class during spring was changed from an incorrect C to an A after a long time of calls to the professor and a lot of nagging on my part. I was ecstatic and it motivated me to keep going (since I had been distraught that my GPA had been affected so adversely from that dumb error). This reopened the doors to my dream of leaving to college next fall at UC Berkeley, UCLA or Amherst College (as a transfer).</p>

<p>In order to do that by next fall, I’d need to take three more classes than I am taking right now. . .those classes start in about two weeks exactly. I currently work full-time at a job where I usually spend around 45 hours per week at $12.50 (which is great for my lack of experience!) so I'm saving a bit of money.</p>

<p>But in order to get A’s in all of them (which I need in order to maintain my GPA and realize my goals), I’d realistically have to stop working completely. I could wait another year though that’d defeat some of the purpose of having graduated HS two years earlier, which was the reason I chose to do that anyway.</p>

<p>So basically it’s: should I give my two-week notice THIS WEEK and then focus solely on school in order to finish on time and attend my dream school, or postpone that a year and work while taking some classes as I'm doing now and just take my science courses spring of 2010?</p>

<p>Other factors: currently my family is having some tough economic times, we're trying to figure things out and meanwhile I'm a back-up for money in case things don't go as planned. I have around $5,000 in my account which is a nice pillow for now. . .currently waiting to sell one of our properties in Mexico which might bring us stability. . .I just don't know how soon that will fly.</p>

<p>Also, really right now I would like to finish college in the regular four years; I could accomplish this while still working if I chose to go to a California State University (perhaps SFSU) though their prestige is not as great as the UC's.</p>

<p>THANK YOU!</p>

2

<p>It really depends if you can manage financially without the job - if so then quit the job and go for it.</p>

3

<p>I’d say, take it easy. </p>

<p>You’re going to live for around 85 years. What’s the diff if it takes you five years instead of four to finish college? Don’t make yourself nuts unless you have to. </p>

<p>I’m not saying Be lazy; I’m just saying Don’t make yourself nuts.</p>

4

<p>I’ve saved a good amount of money for right now, and I would have to go to school in my hometown if I choose to not resign because I would have all the necessary coursework.</p>

5

<p>It sounds as if it comes down to a financial decision. You WANT to go now but you MAY or may not need to still work to provide a buffer for your family. </p>

<p>If you don’t NEED the money now then I’d suggest placing education at the forefront and pursuing that. In the long run you’re probably financially ahead by doing college sooner rather than later since it gets you in a hopefully higher paying job sooner albeit a few years down the road.</p>

6

<p>this is a tough decision but good for you considering the needs of your family. IF you can swing it financially-go for your dream. You sound like you can push yourself acedemically and we never know what the future might bring-good luck to you. See if you can work just 10-15 hours a week to cover your daily expenses.</p>