Part-time Postbacc + Full time job?

[SMMDisme]

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Hi guys, I'm new to SDN here.

Just a little bit about me: I graduated undergrad a few months ago majoring in psychology. I did take some pre-med classes but I didn't finish it due to personal issues.
Now I'm about to finish up my pre-reqs by doing a DIY post bacc. I'll be taking orgo I, intro bio, and physics I this fall. All these classes are in the evening.
I do plan to work full time as a medical assistant as well... to get clinical experience and to boost up my application.

Does this sound feasible? I'll be taking three classes with a physics lab (on the weekend though).

I have student loans to pay... and also these post-bacc classes are completely out of pocket. No financial aid or anything like that. I just can't really afford to let my loans stack up. My grace period ends soon!

What do you guys think? Also any tips on how to time manage?
Thanks.

 

[atomi]

You’ll be busy but it’s doable. If you have other obligations like family or something you should consider cutting back to one or two classes. You can’t afford to get Bs. You must make As.

 

[curbsideconsult]

Don't you need to take labs with orgo and bio? Did you already take them?

I think 3 sciences classes + working full-time = probably not the best idea. But only you know if you can handle the workload. Maybe you're one of the rare birds who doesn't need a lot of sleep and you can breeze through everything. On the more likely chance you're a mere mortal like the rest of us, I would let go of a class or plan on working less hours if I were in your shoes.

 

[evasive fish]

I agree that this is a very heavy load of activities. If you're working full time and taking classes in the evenings, plus a physics lab on the weekend, the only time you'll have to study for those classes is on any evening you don't have class and on any portion of the weekend you have free.
Do you have the option to spread your classes? For example, taking orgo and bio this fall and physics next spring?
In any case, this may be doable, but you'll have to sacrifice most of your work-free and class-free time.

 

[theITcrowd]

I’m working full time while taking two classes a semester. It’s a good balance, IMO. I might take 3 classes a semester toward the end of this DIY post-bacc journey so that I can fit in more upper levels, but that’s also because those will be classes that interest me more. Labs can feel like a whole ‘nother class in and of themselves so taking 3 courses that usually require them might be a stretch. But your situation is definitely doable. Good luck!

 

[SMMDisme]

Thanks everyone for the replies! If I do decide to work full time I may drop physics and take it next year along with some upper level bio courses. With my current academic status there is no way I will be applying soon so I will take my time to take classes and get clinical hours too.
I only need physics lab (I and II) and bio lab at this point. I'm retaking orgo I and orgo II. I completed orgo I with a terrible grade and withdrew from orgo II but I still stayed in both labs during college. I did well in the labs though.

 

[petomed]

Hi guys, I'm new to SDN here.

Just a little bit about me: I graduated undergrad a few months ago majoring in psychology. I did take some pre-med classes but I didn't finish it due to personal issues.
Now I'm about to finish up my pre-reqs by doing a DIY post bacc. I'll be taking orgo I, intro bio, and physics I this fall. All these classes are in the evening.
I do plan to work full time as a medical assistant as well... to get clinical experience and to boost up my application.

Does this sound feasible? I'll be taking three classes with a physics lab (on the weekend though).

I have student loans to pay... and also these post-bacc classes are completely out of pocket. No financial aid or anything like that. I just can't really afford to let my loans stack up. My grace period ends soon!

What do you guys think? Also any tips on how to time manage?
Thanks.

Try not to bite off more than you can chew. Remember that every class you take is essentially meaningless without an A. The safest route is to bump one or even both of the tougher classes (organic / physics) to make sure you can grab all A's. Confidence is important, as this marathon will certainly test how you view yourself. At the beginning, I had a similar choice--Biology I or Organic I. I picked Biology I and would've been eaten alive losing time iterating on optimal study habits having chosen Organic I.