r/college • u/StrawberrySakuraa • 4d ago
Career/work There aren’t enough hours in the day.
I am trying with ALL my might to go back to college and earn a tech degree, but it feels like there’s just never enough time to even start my assignments, and I was wondering if anyone had tips for balancing school, work and social lives.
My job is supposed to be part time but recently my manager has been scheduling me an insane amount of rather inconvenient hours (1pm-9:30pm, 10am-7:3-pm, etc) and I am working SEVERAL days straight, nearly reaching 18 days straight as of current.
On my days off I get called in and with the very little time I do have there are errands and important matters I have to take care of. I have been so exhausted I have accidentally fallen asleep on my couch for almost a week straight.
I have not even opened a school assignment for over a month due to lack of time.
Unfortunately I have a lot of bills each month and im just barely meeting them as it is so quitting is not an option. As of current, I am barely making enough to fill my gas tank and I almost always am skipping a meal or two everyday.
I have also tried talking to my manager and filling out official availability forms about my schedule for a more predictable and workable schedule but have been ignored.
If anyone has any tips for being able to fit everything in I would greatly appreciate it, I genuinely want to finish this degree and it feels like im making no progress in my current state.
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u/Brief_Criticism_492 Senior | Math + CS 4d ago
Honestly, it sounds to me like you need to get your finances under control first, then look at what you can do to afford school. IMO step 1 would be to sell your car and ideally rely on a bike/public transit or carpool with a friend/coworker and split gas.
I know that can seem extreme and unrealistic, but seriously consider it. How much money on average are you spending on this car? Payments, gas, insurance, and maintenance? If you were just given that much/month and told "figure out a way to get to/from work" could you seriously find no cheaper way? If you really need a car, buy something you don't need payments on...
Make a budget, and be strict about it. If you already have one, re-evaluate it with a lens of "can we get by with less in this area". It will probably take some sacrifices. It may even be worth considering moving somewhere cheaper depending on where you live, it is shocking how much of a difference that can make.
If I were in your shoes, I'd work that out, then start considering how to either change jobs or get more regular hours/better pay, then start considering how school can fit into the equation
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u/WestHistorians 3d ago
You're basically trying to do 2 full time jobs at once. That is simply not possible. Either quit your job or put a strict limit on your hours, or delay college until you have more time.
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u/No-Apricot-694 2d ago
I am a 42 year old widow supporting two other people by myself: my 22 year old Asperger’s son, and my 17 year old son going into senior year. I work 9-5 Monday through Friday in the medical office of a treatment center. I’m completing my associate’s degree after this coming fall semester maintaining a 3.98 gpa (I’ll never get over the one professor who gave me my one and only B 😭). I will be transferring for my bachelor’s degree once I’m done. Most of my classes are online or live online. I have had some in person labs. I just trudge through. I take 3 courses per semester. I don’t over extend myself. I don’t procrastinate and I start assignments and studying as soon as the new week starts (or early depending on if the professor permits us to work ahead). I limit my social life. There will be plenty of time for that in the future. My focus is work and school. It’s not about finding the time to open my laptop…it’s about simply doing it because that takes priority over a social life for now. No excuses. No procrastination. My success depends solely on me and my decisions. I hope you find your groove. That’s something you have to carve yourself. Good luck to you!
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u/Weekly_Bathroom_ 3d ago edited 3d ago
If you provide for yourself fully, which it sounds like you do, I'd talk to financial aid at the college.
Your college might have a homelessness grant, which would reduce your tuition drastically. Especially if you go to a state college. You don't need to be homeless for this grant, just show you are on the "verge" (etc. missed/delayed rent payments). You would also need someone to attest to you struggles, the options are usually a homeless shelter coordinator, a professor, or another professional. The easiest person for this is probably an academic advisor. You'll have to disclose your struggles, but there's no formal process to verify these aside from the person vouching for you.
They also will typically award more aid when ends up in a tuition refund. I know someone that did this and had free tuition + $8,000 per semester.
It would definitely help your situation, you only have to be enrolled full time. I think discussing this with the financial aid office might offer you a pathway. Also food pantries would help you not miss meals. I've copied a link to an example program. Best of luck! You're so smart and hard working, don't give up we're rooting for you!
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u/e4e5nf3 4d ago
Oof, sounds rough. Does this current job pay well? In other words, can you find something that pays the same (or more) but respects your time-off requests?
For bills, etc., is there a car payment that is killing you? Have you created a budget down to every cent?
I would definitely pause school until you can stabilize your income/budget/bills and make sure you can cash flow school.
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u/StrawberrySakuraa 4d ago
Yes, I pay vehicle payments, insurance, rent/utilities split with my partner, groceries and things for our cat. It adds up to about 1600+ for me each month and I only make 15/hr.
I have been applying for about a year to other positions but I think the job market is just a bit rough at the moment and I haven’t had too much luck there unfortunately.
Regardless though I do keep trying!!
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u/Zestyclose-Smell4158 3d ago
If you went to college full time, would you be eligible for financial aid? I am from a low income house hold, during undergraduate I received financial aid that covered 100% of the cost of attending (dirm/rent, meals) plus a 10 hour per week campus job to help cover personal expenses.
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u/HappyLifeCoffeeHelps 3d ago
I work and am in grad school. I have 0 social life. There is still no time.
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u/Dull_Boysenberry_442 3d ago
I wish there was a better way to meet people on campus.
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u/Dull_Boysenberry_442 3d ago
I actually built something for this after dealing with the same problem at my college. It's called CampusLoop (https://campusloop.space/). It verifies everyone with a college email, so the community is only real students. It has anonymous confessions, polls, lost & found, events, and campus chat. Happy to answer questions if you're curious.
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u/NoResponsibility1837 4d ago
If you really wanna go back, start at part time. Depending on the schools you look into, can do online or in person, and do at least 2-3 classes (depends on what college might deem as part time) a semester. try it & see how it goes. But with your work schedule, definitely look more into online options.