Should I Work While in College?

<p>Hi, throughout high school I never worked except during summers. This summer I got a well paying job and they offered me a part time job during the school year of 8-10 hours. My only worry is that I am a HUGE procrastinator...but I am trying to change my habits. Also I'm attending ucsd in the fall as an engineer and I hear the courseload is tough. Any opinions? Are you guys working in college too?</p>

<p>Keep working, it'll force you not to procrasinate anymore because of tigher time managament :)</p>

<p>I worked all year with 6-7 hours/wk with 17-20 credits courseload.</p>

<p>I think most people can handle upto 10 hours/week with a full courseload.</p>

<p>Of course.It'll build up your independance and it will prepare you for the "real world" having experience of having more than one element to life.</p>

<p>I'm working about 12-15 hrs/week....I wish I could quite--but i can't afford to :(</p>

<p>DJdooey, your course load/college time should take precedence. With that said, make a deal with your supervisor that you have the option of withdrawing from the part-time job without penalty, if the college work becomes too much for you. Also ask if you can take time off during finals week or other critical school period without any penalty, if you need extra study time.</p>

<p>Are you living on campus or commuting? It makes a big difference if you have to commute a long distance to your part-time job. It is the work hours + commute time + any "prep" time (changing clothes, etc.) that you must factor into handling a part-time job while in college.</p>

<p>And also, how badly do you need the money? (most students do)</p>

<p>You are a lucky person that your employer likes you enough to offer you part-time work while in college. You want to maintain this positive relationship, as you never know when that employer can be of further support to you.</p>

<p>Thanks for all the advice guys! I guess I never really appreciated the job I had until I read your comments. One more question, when applying to graduate school is there a spot on the application that shows if you held a job or not, like the one on the undergraduate application?</p>

<p>I think most graduate school applications only ask for research jobs, so unless your job is in research, it won't go on the grad school app.</p>

<p>Are you just starting college in the fall? If so, then I wouldn't recommend working during the fall semester. I would focus on my schoolwork and learn how to budget my time (which you'll need to do since, as you said, you're a big procrastinator.) </p>

<p>Once you get your "routine" down, you should start looking for a job.</p>

<p>haha don't worry about it - I'm the world's worst (best?) procrastinator, and I've worked the past three years in college with not problems. I work a few 16-hour shifts each week while taking a 20 unit courseload, and I love my job. I would be bored not working.... hell, i'm bored as it is. :)</p>