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Full Time college Vs Part Time and working..

  • 05-09-2014 11:45am
    #1
    UnknownANON
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 3 ✭


    Hey.. hoping someone out there has had a similar experience to my own.. or at least might be able shed some advice on my situation as don't know who else to turn to.

    basically, i am in my early 20s working full time in an o.k job, it's a 9-5 with basic salary for my age (feel i should be on more for what i do, but i dont have a degree so thats holding me back) - i want a degree.

    should i a) leave a full time job, and go back to full time college or b) go to a part time course and continue to work full time?

    my dilema is if i choose option a) i am leaving a steady paying job, and i guess i am learning and progressing also.. i wont have a steady income etc if i leave..

    my dilema is if i choose option b) i will be putting a lot of pressure on myself to study and work at the same time, would i be able for it.. am i sacraficing my younger 20s by working and studying day in and out? should i just go back full time and make the most of the student days while i am still young enough to do so?..


    wonder if anyone was in my situation before? and could share an insight etc..


Comments

  • #2
    NeonCookies
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 509 ✭✭✭NeonCookies


    Some questions you need to ask yourself:

    1. Most importantly - can you afford to study full time? (Accommodation, fees, books, living etc. maybe with only a part time job)

    2. Do you want to continue working in the area you're in now, and the degree is related to that area?

    -If yes, then keeping your job while doing your degree part time seems smart in order to stay up to date with what's actually happening in the workplace. Many jobs these days require experience, so you'd have this AND a degree for future employers.

    - If no, maybe getting the degree quicker by doing it full time and hence changing careers quicker may be for you.

    3. Could you go part time in your current job to allow you to do the degree full time?

    4. Would your employer help finance your degree? Some will if they see a benefit for them.

    It sounds like you want the student experience (nothing wrong with that!) and that is possible - many students work and study at the same time. I did my degree full time and worked part time (about 24 hours a week) and still had a great time in college.

    Good luck with your decision :)


  • #3
    greengirl31
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 416 ✭✭greengirl31


    I’m a little bit older than you and I work full time and I’m a single mum so the demands on our time may be a little different :) but I’m doing a part time degree so I can give you a bit of insight into the part time aspect.

    My course is 4 weekends (Friday & Saturday) each semester (2 Semesters) and requires approximately 15-20 hours per week of self-directed study. I manage to fit it all in so from a time point of view it is do-able. Some weeks are a bit more hectic than others like when assignments are due but as long as you can focus and plan well it’s very manageable. An average week for me would be 2.5 to 3 hours Sunday to Thursday night. If there’s a deadline looming I’ll do a few extra on the weekend mornings. Other people in my year don’t do as much during the week and do a full day on Saturday or Sunday or a few hours a couple of nights a week and then 5/6 hours on a weekend morning. The first semester was fairly easy going and gave the students time to settle into a routine that suits them.

    The course is very well laid out and it provides you with study guides to guide you through the text books and the weekend lectures are invaluable – ie if you miss them you may struggle a bit to catch up. There are a lot of online resources and good learning support officers on hand to call if you find yourself in difficulty and the lecturers will come back fairly quickly if you have any specific question for them. My employer is very supportive too which is a huge help. They contribute towards the fees and they allow me the time off to attend the weekend sessions on the Friday as well as exam study leave so I’m very fortunate. Also, overtime is minimal so time allocated to work is fixed (IE there’s never a scenario where I’m stuck in work till 9 o’clock at night panicking cause I’ve an assignment due in in 3 hours !!!)

    If I were you I’d say go for it – nobody was ever at a disadvantage with a bit of extra education. Speak to your employer – they may be willing to help and they may be impressed with your drive


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