Worried About Next Year

Student Lounge College Life
1

<p>Hey guys, new user here. So, I'm extremely anxious about this coming school year, which will be my sophomore year of college and I need some advice and tips. I'm a music major hoping to declare a double in education and performance this coming year and am in a very rigorous program that requires pretty much 24/7 committment. I'm also someone who is working my way through school and paying tuition out of pocket by myself because scholarships are not enough and I don't qualify for financial aid of any kind because I'm a commuter still living with my parents. </p>

<p>This past spring semester was rough. I took 22 credit hours and had a part time job in addition to required music events and field observations. I would go to work straight from school many days and not get home until 10 or 11 at night. I also worked at a job that paid very little money and did not give very many hours when I was able to work (I started last summer and got no more than 2 days a week and no more than 4 days on a two week paycheck at the bare minimum wage in my state) and it only put me behind as far as making money. There were nights I would stay up until dawn finishing my homework that I never got to do because of the whole work thing, and many times I was way too exhausted to go to school in the morning so I slept through many classes and got a lower grade because of attendance. Now my GPA isn't devastatingly terrible, but it is enough to not make me as competitive for the job market. </p>

<p>I'm so worried that this semester GPA will have a major impact on my future and that the rest of college will be a struggle for me to keep up. I can't not have a job because then I will have to drop out, which isn't an option and I don't want to switch majors either. My schedule next year will be just as busy as far as working because I'm getting a job that will give better hours and a better pay. I'm worried about being able to find the time to effectively study and practice, get a killer GPA to make up for this semester, and do all of my extracurriculars and ensembles to make a good resume while still making enough money to keep me from dropping out. And in all of that I'm trying to figure out a way to not burn out. Any study tips or time management tips that have been successful are desparately needed!</p>

2

<p>If you’re not wasting time, it doesn’t sound like any time management tips will help you.</p>

<p>It seems like you’re getting caught up in what you <em>have</em> to do. You need to realize what you will be able to do, and go from there.</p>

<p>Can you take 22 hours of courses, fulfill all out of course requirements, do X hours of work, and complete your homework? Your answer is no. You need to be willing to evaluate all of your options.
Can you take a lighter course load?
Can you take a semester off of school with your new job and earn enough that you won’t need to work (as much) next semester?
Would it be a good idea for you to take on a manageable amount of loans so you can focus on schoolwork?
Could you find adequate work tutoring or pursue on-campus work (which might be more willing to work with your schedule as a student) instead of getting into an inflexible job?</p>

<p>Favorite Quote:
“The definition of insanity is doing the same thing over and over and expecting different results.”</p>

<p>I’m afraid that you’re putting yourself into the exact same situation as you were in spring semester and hoping that you’ll suddenly be able to make a better GPA. That doesn’t sound realistic. You’re a human being with clear limitations. Build your schedule around what you’re capable of, not based on what you think you have to do.</p>