Working Freshman Year

[ravynn8]

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Is it recommended to work a retail job part time during first sem. freshman year? My father says no way, but I would like some spending money, but not at the cost of my GPA.
FYI Classes I'm taking:
Gen Bio w/lab
Gen Chem w/lab
Coll Algebra
Ethics

 

[MD1Day]

Is it recommended to work a retail job part time during first sem. freshman year? My father says no way, but I would like some spending money, but not at the cost of my GPA.
FYI Classes I'm taking:
Gen Bio w/lab
Gen Chem w/lab
Coll Algebra
Ethics

How many hours are you taking? I took 18 hours my freshman year and worked about 32 hours/week...but it was a really low stress job: Personal trainer at the YMCA...can't get much less stressful or laid back than that!

i maintained an A in everyclass, but i felt like i had NO free time..papers due three times a week plus homework and research. If you really want to, and can manage without letting it effect your grade, then go for it...you can always quit your job! I just wouldnt do it again with carrying a heavy class load.

Good luck!

 

[ravynn8]

Just taking 14, I fear any more while taking a math class. I am worried because my advisor told me I would need to study 3 hours a week for every credit I take.

 

[unfrozencaveman]

No no no no no no no no no no no. That is a HUGE schedule. Even if it weren't, you need to get your bearings your freshman fall, and honestly, gambling with those classes is not even remotely worth it.

Plus I have heard the words "listen to your father!" enough times to know that's always a good idea.

 

[MD1Day]

Plus I have heard the words "listen to your father!" enough times to know that's always a good idea.

LOL...glad I'm not the only one 😀

 

[fuglydoc]

with that schedule...it shouldn't be that bad to have a part time job. if the grades starts slipping, you can always quit.

 

[Noway]

Just taking 14, I fear any more while taking a math class. I am worried because my advisor told me I would need to study 3 hours a week for every credit I take.

So your advisor wants you to study 42 hours a week? Hmm, can't say I know too many people who study 6 hours a day plus classes. Maybe thats just me though

 

[Avalanche21]

Just taking 14, I fear any more while taking a math class. I am worried because my advisor told me I would need to study 3 hours a week for every credit I take.

That's what a lot of schools say, but that's not necessarily true. It depends on the person, the class, and how easily to grasp concepts. For example, I took a physiology class that was 4 hours, which would translate to 12 hours a week. I put in maybe 2-6 most of the time. On the other hand, there was biochem (3hrs) where I probably put in more than 9 hours a week.

I think it's always a good idea to first go through a semester and then decide if you can handle it, but it's your call. Hope this helps

 

[emtji]

ultimately, you're the only one who can decide whether you can afford to spend the time working a job on the side. realize that many people hold jobs while in college.

that said, holding a job can actually make you manage your time better...and quite likely, your grades might improve with a job. i would start off slowly, with a job with flexible hours for a few hours a week (library) where you can study, and then move onto something more worthwhile later on. med schools will be unimpressed if you spent all your time studying and never joined an extracurricular or held a job.

 

[Masamune4567]

i maintained an A in everyclass, but i felt like i had NO free time..papers due three times a week plus homework and research. If you really want to, and can manage without letting it effect your grade, then go for it...you can always quit your job! I just wouldnt do it again with carrying a heavy class load.

Good luck!

90% in every class and working 30 hours a week? If so congratualtions.

 

[45408]

No no no no no no no no no no no. That is a HUGE schedule. Even if it weren't, you need to get your bearings your freshman fall, and honestly, gambling with those classes is not even remotely worth it.

Plus I have heard the words "listen to your father!" enough times to know that's always a good idea.

meh, it's not that heavy of a schedule - it's pretty standard for any pre-med. I'd keep your work schedule to 20 hours a week (or less) so that you do have some chill time each week, but studying 42 hours a week? I don't think most med students even do that much.

 

[NiteOwl]

Is it recommended to work a retail job part time during first sem. freshman year? My father says no way, but I would like some spending money, but not at the cost of my GPA.
FYI Classes I'm taking:
Gen Bio w/lab
Gen Chem w/lab
Coll Algebra
Ethics

I would say working and doing this schedule can be done. One semester I took Microbiology (with lab), College Algebra, Anatomy and Physiology 1 (with lab), First Aid, and Abnormal Psychology and worked on the weekends. And it ended up being the best semester grade-wise for me. I didn't have tons of free time though, but I did have a little. You could try, and if it doesn't work, then cut back hours to only certain days or you can quit.

 

[Masamune4567]

Is it recommended to work a retail job part time during first sem. freshman year? My father says no way, but I would like some spending money, but not at the cost of my GPA.
FYI Classes I'm taking:
Gen Bio w/lab
Gen Chem w/lab
Coll Algebra
Ethics

Listen to your father. Your father has been there and been through the game before you and I were born. He knows what he's talking about.

My old man was the one who told me to watch out for female premedical students....How right he was lol

 

[fateema368]

If you can focus and are naturally organized, go ahead but you'll have less time to adjust to college life, make friends blah, blah, blah

I worked and it wasn't so hot, but I was pulling twice work schedule, and I wouldn't have done it if I had the choice.

 

[MD1Day]

90% in every class and working 30 hours a week? If so congratualtions.

Well, like i said...i had a very very laid back job. I had alot of time to sit infront of the computer, research, do flash cards, and type papers while everyone else in the gym was breaking a sweat 🙂 Otherwise, if it would have been a "real" job, there's no way i would have pulled it off.

 

[infinite_dreams]

meh, it's not that heavy of a schedule - it's pretty standard for any pre-med. I'd keep your work schedule to 20 hours a week (or less) so that you do have some chill time each week, but studying 42 hours a week? I don't think most med students even do that much.

I have to agree with the prowler on this one; almost all my college friends have worked all through college, and really if you can't do it Freshman year (IMO the easiest one) then don't expect to do it any other years when you are taking Ochem and biochem and all that... Like Lindsay I worked 30 plus hours my first two years taking 18 hours a semester minimum and made decent grades, then I scaled down to 20 hrs a week working a much easier job, cause the coursework was getting harder (I am one of the smart people who left all my ochem and biochem to the last possible miute 🙄 ). Having said that, if you don't have to work don't: I WOULD NOT HAVE if I had had a choice! It makes for a much better college experience and better grades I think if you don't have to work..... don't choose the more difficult route for the sake of a few extra $$$ Especially if your Dad is pushing you not to work!