Workin' 9 to 5 -- AND Attending College

College is all about experiences—interacting with your peers, learning valuable skills to use throughout your life, possibly meeting your future spouse and the experience of learning about the world in general. It is definitely true that your college years can be some of the best years of your life, but what if you don't have the luxury of simply being a full-time student? What if you fall into the category of those who have to work while going to school? If you find yourself in this group, don't get discouraged, and certainly don't give up.

Colleges and universities have come a long way over the years in helping "non-traditional" students. Most offer a number of programs and ways to fit school and work into your life. I know this from experience as I have been working full time and going to school full time for several years now. Along the way I've learned a few valuable tips about enjoying your college experience while still working to pay the bills.

First, and possibly most obvious, is the fact college is not like high school. You have the ability to determine your class schedule—a huge advantage when trying to fit classes in with a full-time job. Many schools also offer night and weekend classes to allow working students even more flexibility when choosing classes. These classes are a great way to get in the credits required while keeping your week free to work. Many schools offer both, and depending on your major, much of your class time can be taken then.

Second, many employers realize the importance of a college education, as it boosts the employee's value to the company. With this in mind, be sure to check with your company's human resources department to see if the company offers tuition-assistance program. Any help you can get to offset the burden of paying back school loans will enable you to focus more energy on your studies and your job.

Third, budget your time, allowing a little wiggle room as you would with your finances. In college, assignments generally are given weeks (or more) in advance. For me, that allows the time needed—in spite of working full time—to get my thoughts in order and mentally focus on a project. Another important aspect of time management: Be sure to budget some "down time" into your schedule.

Working full time and going to school full time is tough, and you don't want to burn yourself out. Allow time to wind down. Be careful when scheduling night classes as some can get out as late as 11 p.m.

Finally, with all your working and going to school, you want to make sure you don't miss out on the fun of the college experience. Getting to know your classmates can lead to lifetime friendships. Study groups and tutoring sessions are a great way to meet people and help your GPA. Attending athletic events, campus Bible studies or community service projects are great ways to get involved, as well. On any given day, every college has some sort of gathering of students, be it a debate, rally, election or special guest speakers. These events are open to anyone and allow students to have a voice and feel involved.

True, simply attending college takes a lot of time and determination; adding full-time employment on top of that can sometimes seem overwhelming. However, colleges exist to help students; so if you ever feel like you've gotten in over your head, seek the advice of college counselors. They can help you achieve your goals without losing your sanity.

Many even have been in your same shoes and can offer wisdom from their own experiences. Will working and going to college full time be a stroll in the park? Hardly, but you can do it; and the rewards are immeasurable.


"I always found that when I was at my busiest (taking the maximum credits, working about 25 to 30 hours a week and playing on the men's volleyball team) I actually did better in my classes. This is probably because I really needed to be mindful of every minute of my day, which included a portion that was dedicated to homework instead of procrastinating."
—Jonathan Young, The Myriad