<p>I have a job in Florida at Homegoods, and I fully plan on attending BU Sept. 2010 if accepted (crossing fingers). I researched like a madwoman and found that there are two Homegoods nearby the school! Both under ten miles. Have you worked while being in college? I'm a working girl and worked throughout high school so I know I can handle it. Of course, my first few weeks I won't work just to get adjusted. I share a cell bill with my roommate and would have to continue paying her that, not to mention I'd want money for extra things I'd need while I was there to be comfortable. What was your experience of balancing a part time job and college life? Thanks!</p>
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<p>Ummm no – that’s the time to work, cuz it’s when you’re not freaking out about exams. </p>
<p>Last semester I worked 14-20 hours a week (but would take a few days to a week off every exam period), somehow managed to earn 2000 dollars while doing 19 credits (3.7 GPA). You can always request off if you’re freaking out about studying … or if there’ a really cool party. Always put your academics first, of course, but during the slow times of the semester it’s when I work … I figure it’s better than chilling doing nothing.</p>
<p>I had a teacher in high school who taught a bunch of sections of chemistry, both introductory and AP, as well as studied toward her Master’s degree in something.</p>
<p>So yes it can be done. It’s hard, but so is life.</p>
<p>For sure, and I’m always up for a challenge. I figured it would almost be easier to work while in college rather than high school since the daily hours are even less and I can work my schedule around my classes. Awesome, that was what my main concern is since no one ever really talks about college and working. Currently, I put in 29 hours a week while going to high school. I agree, making money is much better than being lazy. Not to mention, I LOVE SHOPPING, so I’ll have money for fun.</p>
<p>Are you earning enough to make a 10 mile commute to work worthwhile? </p>
<p>Otherwise you might consider looking for a job on campus. Campus jobs have the added advantage that they work around a student’s schedule: you are not expected to work during fall/winter/spring/summer break, you might get a break during finals week, and it is easier to work 2 hours between classes when you have a break in your schedule. If you schedule your hours during breaks between classes, the work would not cut as much into your free time as setting aside three five-hour chunks.</p>
<p>Working 29 hours a week sounds like a lot for a full-time student. I personally don’t know anyone who is working more than 20 hours, but it can probably be done if you are willing to sacrifice everything except for work and studying. </p>
<p>Don’t be fooled into thinking you will have a lot of free time in college because of the little in-class time. Overall I spend more time on academics in college than I did in high school, even though I am only in class for half as long. College class time also comes less “bundled” than high school class time. In college, you might have have class 10-11, 11-12, 2-3 and then a recitation 6-7.</p>
<p>Yeah I spend 12 hours a week on lab reports … </p>
<p>I schedule it on slow days and also slow weekends. Also if you find a good work study position, you could basically work on your homework while tending the library front desk or doing the hospital graveyard shift or something.</p>
<p>Hey kerissak, I don’t really have any good advice about working in college, but I am wondering how you plan on getting to either of the Home Goods stores (neither of which are in Boston-- one is in Somerville and the other is in Saugus). Utilizing the T (the public transportation here in Boston) and walking, it would take you over an hour to get to either of them.</p>
<p>I suggest that if you do decide to work, you look for something closer to/on campus. </p>
<p>I’m a freshman at Northeastern, so let me know if you have any questions about Boston!</p>
<p>You can do homework on the move lol. (Perfected this technique in high school – did HW on my way to school.)</p>
<p>But yeah find something closer if you can. Recession isn’t that bad now.</p>
<p>I worked two jobs this past semester and was still able to make Dean’s list, so it’s definitely possible to do well. I’ve read that students who are employed during the school year tend to have higher gpas (I’ll try to locate the source of this info later.) Good luck in whatever you decide to do, OP!</p>
<p>Interesting observation, arachnopobia. I’m a working student. Last quarter, I was averaging about 13 hrs of work and taking 16 credit hours, and I managed to get on the Dean’s List. I’ve noticed that most of the kids working were mostly international students, older students, and students who just seemed more mature/serious about their education than the college students who’d rather blow time playing WoW than making some money.</p>
<p>I now plan on working 9/10 hrs a week with 20 hour credits and adding a club. It is all about finding that balance. Don’t be working 30 hours a week with a 20 hour credit load and a sport. Plan your job around your academics, not the other way around (if that is financially possible). I was always told that if you are a full time (like 15 credit hr) student, you shouldn’t work more than twenty hours a week. Which is probably a good idea.</p>
<p>Since I went to college so close to home, I was able to maintain the job I had since high school. Originally, I tried working 15 hours a week, but it just ended up being too much for me. So, later, I opted for a weekends only schedule, which gave me 9-11 hours, something which I found far more manageable. At the same time, I was taking 16 credits worth of classes and was in class around 16 hours a week. I ended up with a 3.419 GPA for my fall semester.</p>
<p>But it’s true - you may be spending far less time in class, but quite a chunk of time is actually spent on schoolwork in college.</p>
<p>Like everyone else has said, it’s all about finding a balance. I personally could have worked up to 25 hours a week if I really wanted to - but that would connote that I will be working or studying during the majority of my waking hours - something I can’t quite do.</p>
<p>4.0 working full time with 17 credits. dont ask me how i have time for this forum.</p>
<p>It has a lot to do with (but no everything) whom you are born into. The rich suburbanite from connecticut vs the collegian from Kensington, philadelphia.</p>
<p>Some even while in high school have to buy their own food, clothes, and shelter. </p>
<p>Naturally im quite bitter about how stratified and unequal America is so what I previously said WILL be biased…</p>
<p>Having my full time job wasnt really an option, so to relate the OP’s question to my post, it wasnt really a balance. For me, the balance just created itself out of my dynamic schedule. My days were never the same: Sometime I was at class from 9 to 7 and sometime I working from 9 to 7. But in the end, the semester worked out; all i needed was some motivation, which i got through watching Rudy, The Graduate, and UP.</p>