Learning and Working 101

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          Many students share the same belief about going to college part time, the majority which are negative. These common misconceptions are accepted by teenagers without any knowledge of the potential benefits. They rule part time out as an option because they believe it will tarnish their image, and see part-time school as an insult to their name. If these students decided to spend time and research the positives of doing so, then their mindset would change indefinitely. To all students who are uncertain of their next step in life, it is advised that they engage in this article and take the facts presented to them into serious consideration.

          Community Colleges are a great alternative instead of attending a full four-year college. Approximately 70% of students who attend community college attend part time. This opens up these students schedule, allowing them to work while taking classes. This is one benefit of community college but it does not stop there. Most community colleges implement programs that help students get in to the college they wanted to get into, but couldn’t due to certain circumstances in their lives.

          The majority of students have no idea these programs exist, for example; when a Hall High student named Sylvie Pidto was asked if she would attend community college she responded, “No, because I want a true college experience”. She is unaware that she could receive the “college experience” for half the price. Manchester Community College, as well as many other community colleges, allows you to attend for two years, and receive automatic acceptance into UConn after. There are many advantages. First off, students can receive an education for two years while working and making a living. Then, after they work and study for two years, they get accepted into a school they would most likely not be able to get in before, and they have money earned due to working. After two years at UConn, they graduate and receive a degree not from the community college, but by the state University they were admitted into. Not only do they receive the same degree as a four year UConn student, they cut the price in half. Students end up in the same position as 4 year UConn students, after starting off at a community college.  

           Like all post high school options, attending college part time comes with its advantages and disadvantages. For starters, doing part time education while holding a steady job can build key time management skills and help fast track a career after your education concludes. The opportunity to make steady stream of income while in school and have a solid career set up after graduation is not one many people get. This steady source of income can also  help pay off student loans if needed.

          However, some may struggle with these responsibilities. Time management could eventually become an issue and job and class times could conflict. Not to mention the sleepless nights one may need to occasionally have can certainly take a toll on motivation and self-esteem. All in all, taking classes part time while engaged in a full time job can be difficult, but very beneficial if time is managed appropriately and all responsibilities are prioritized.

          For those that choose to pursue their education part time, there are a few different options available in terms of taking classes, all depending on which works best for ones availability. Taking a night class a couple of times a week is a popular option among people who want to further their education, but still be able to work during the day. A positive of taking night classes is the flexibility one has when it comes to time management. A person taking night classes can work full or part-time during the day, have free time after work to relax, then go to their night classes. A negative of taking a night class is that for those of us that need a full night of sleep, night classes require ones full focus into the late night, so if someone works in the early morning, getting up in time might be a struggle.

          Another popular option available among people who want to enroll part time in college is taking online classes. With online classes, students have total flexibility of where and when they want to work. They can learn and study at home, or they can do so at work. Some students may even choose to study in public places like a cafe, coffee shop, library, etc. Taking classes online gives one the ability to have a job, while still having time for down time. Like all these options, there are a few downsides: taking classes online takes away from the possible benefits that come with face-to-face interactions with professors or fellow students.

          Many people want to work throughout the week during the day, and still have free time on weeknights. These people may want to look into weekend classes because it avoids long work days. Weekend classes also give one more time to study during the week, giving them enough time to learn whatever they need for their weekend classes. Although weekend courses are popular because of their positives, some negatives come with it. People who usually look forward to the weekends, for reasons such as going out with friends, enjoying entertainment, or seeing family, weekend classes might not be for everyone. Students who are enrolled in weekend classes are busy for most of Saturday and Sunday, giving them limited free time. Whichever option one may choose, each is a good choice because the idea of making money with work, while still being a student, is never a bad idea.

To sum it up, there are many advantageous post high school options that allow students to work, as well as receive a proper education. This optimizes a persons chances of success after graduation from college. These students receive the same education as offers, while making money to pay off their student loans. This gives them an advantage over other students who did not follow the same path. The level of education is the same, but only one of these students have money while the others do not. Students should make their post high school decisions solely on what is best for them. They should not  satisfy others interest or try to impress them, for this is their life and not theirs.