I am a non-traditional pre-dental prospect and while working full-time and doing the pre-requisites is def. hard especially with kids; I wanted to get opinions from those already in school about the work load. I have a family and my wife will b supporting us when I get in; but being in debt already, i was concerned abt the cost of school and our monthly expenses. Are there any students out there who go to school and work as well even if it is part-time and if so please describe your experiences.
Working in dental school
- Thread starter sengineer
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Thanks for ur response. I was thinking of doing the dental hygiene diploma in prep for dental school so I can perhaps work a few hours while trying to get in and whilst in school; this will help with the cost but the hyggenist course is itself additional cost upfront.
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I know posts like this have come up in the past; it might be helpful to search for them.
In short, the answer is that it will be extremely difficult to work while in dental school. Especially if you have a family. Dental school is not a 40hr/wk job, I'd say it's more like 60-80hrs/wk. So if you plan to spend any time with your family at all, having a side job is going to be very unlikely.
In short, the answer is that it will be extremely difficult to work while in dental school. Especially if you have a family. Dental school is not a 40hr/wk job, I'd say it's more like 60-80hrs/wk. So if you plan to spend any time with your family at all, having a side job is going to be very unlikely.
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depends. are you interested in keeping a high GPA??
it is doable, but to think you'll be able to devote family time, work time, AND enough time to learn the material well enough to make good grades, you're only kidding yourself.
I have two kiddos, a four year old and a 3 month old. I am in my second year. I can tell you every second outside of school is spent with my wife and kids. There is no real time for a work hat on my hat rack at the moment.
as my ethics prof said, "Multitasking allows you to do several things crummy."
Do yourself a favor and devote attention to one thing at a time. or at most two things (family and school).
it is doable, but to think you'll be able to devote family time, work time, AND enough time to learn the material well enough to make good grades, you're only kidding yourself.
I have two kiddos, a four year old and a 3 month old. I am in my second year. I can tell you every second outside of school is spent with my wife and kids. There is no real time for a work hat on my hat rack at the moment.
as my ethics prof said, "Multitasking allows you to do several things crummy."
Do yourself a favor and devote attention to one thing at a time. or at most two things (family and school).
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on thing you might think of, and only because it will benefit you, is to be a tutor to the class below you. several students in my class are tutors to the class below for various classes (gross, biochem, etc). you can earn a small amount AND use it as review for yourself for future or for boards.
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I would not recommend getting a job even if you have the time. When you need to stay up late cramming for a test or when you have a patient coming in tomorrow and you haven't set the denture teeth yet the last thing you're going to want to do is head out to work. Suck it up and take out loans. Minimize them but it will make your life a little less miserable for 4 years...
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There are a very very rare few who do it (I think our 2nd year's said they had one person in their class who worked a few saturdays). I'm still new to this whole game, but I would strongly steer anyone away from even thinking about getting a job, ESPECIALLY if you have a family. I don't have any serious aspirations of specializing, and as such I know I put in less hours per week than some in my class, and I'd say with class/studying I put in at least 50 hrs in an easy week, and upward of 65-70 hours in a hard week. (I honestly didn't even realize I was doing tha tmuch until I just thought about it, haha!)
You're already going to be running yourself into the ground, especially with trying to find time to spend with the family. If you look at the cost benefit it just doesn't make sense.
And please don't go get a hygiene degree just so you can work your 3rd/4th years. Yes it makes sense to do so if you already had the degree, but I can't imagine it would pay off to go pay for a hygiene degree for the purpose of being able to work in your latter 2 years.
my 2 cents...
You're already going to be running yourself into the ground, especially with trying to find time to spend with the family. If you look at the cost benefit it just doesn't make sense.
And please don't go get a hygiene degree just so you can work your 3rd/4th years. Yes it makes sense to do so if you already had the degree, but I can't imagine it would pay off to go pay for a hygiene degree for the purpose of being able to work in your latter 2 years.
my 2 cents...
Thanks everyone. It seemed obvious that it would be nearly impossible to work And achieve a good standing in my classes but I just had to ask. As it is I took 2 classes this semester and coincidently work projects seemed to have increased as well so it is hard. For all u parents out there who are doing dentistry or med school... Hats off to u all.
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honestly, i couldnt do it without my fam. i luckily have a very supporting wife and my boys are my stress reliever.
when everyone else went to the bars for the 'post gross toast', i went home and played hotwheels.
knowing after a crappy run of two weeks worth of exams i get to take a day or two off and just hang out with my kids makes it all worth it.
👍
when everyone else went to the bars for the 'post gross toast', i went home and played hotwheels.
knowing after a crappy run of two weeks worth of exams i get to take a day or two off and just hang out with my kids makes it all worth it.
Married DDS3 with a 3-year old here. Pretty much echo what's been said -- not a lot of spare time for much beyond school and family, and a traditional job where you are expected to clock hours would be tough.
However necessity is the mother of invention, and since my spouse doesn't have a high-paying job, I've had to get creative to make ends meet. Will clear close to $20k this year doing resale on craigslist. I'm my own boss, and if I need to take 2 weeks off to study, I can. I have also tutored (I wouldn't charge anything less than $50 per hour), but found the resale actually made more money and was less soul-destroying (I actually enjoy it).
Point is, if you need the money, there are ways to make it in dental school if you think outside of the box.
However necessity is the mother of invention, and since my spouse doesn't have a high-paying job, I've had to get creative to make ends meet. Will clear close to $20k this year doing resale on craigslist. I'm my own boss, and if I need to take 2 weeks off to study, I can. I have also tutored (I wouldn't charge anything less than $50 per hour), but found the resale actually made more money and was less soul-destroying (I actually enjoy it).
Point is, if you need the money, there are ways to make it in dental school if you think outside of the box.
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I worked the Spring semester of my 1st year as a high school chemistry and math tutor. I would tutor 2 hours on Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday. It was $20/hour so I made pretty darn good money for something that didn't require me to change into a uniform and it was something I already knew how to do. Something that's very flexible that doesn't strain you and wear you out is key. It certainly can be done though given the right job. There are some semesters where it would be downright impossible to work, however. But 1st year you have a lot of control over the variables because it's mostly just studying and not unpredictable lab work.
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i have been teaching gymnastics classes since 1st year. i now do a lot of lab work for some extra cash. not a ton of extra time, but then again, i dont have a family to worry about.
i know there have been a number of past students working during school. most pick up some serving jobs at a couple local nice food places. if you have the time, go for it. just dont burn your self out.
i know there have been a number of past students working during school. most pick up some serving jobs at a couple local nice food places. if you have the time, go for it. just dont burn your self out.
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You can work some your 3rd and 4th year. You honestly won't have time the 1st or second years. Every year you have about a 50+ work week from dental school- but honestly, that time just gets more flexible the 3rd and 4th years. You still have to put in the time, but you can arrange it to facilitate a job. i've worked several different jobs during dental school, but nothing close to full time, usually just grocery/rent money supplementation.
Really?? Sounds like your dental school isnt eating up your free time quite like mine did. There was one girl in my class you had a part time job, and it was bizarre - nobody knew how she pulled it off. Seems like you guys need more stuff to study 🙂
great suggestion
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I work in school, in my 3rd year now. If you want to do well in school I would not recommend it. I'm putting in about 15 hours a week and am still trying to keep up my grades and its about all I can handle. Not doing it for the money, more of an experience thing and something to put on my cv when I apply for residency. However if you just want to pass your classes and make some extra bucks, then I'd say go for it if you are in your 3rd of 4th year.
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I'm an RDH and I'm hoping I get accepted for next fall. I work part-time now but when I start dental school I don't plan to work unless it's during my breaks. I also might work 1 Sat/month at my current office and just see how it goes.
I would take at look at your finances first and see if there is some way to cut back and live more frugally. We got rid of a lot of extra things we don't need. Lower your grocery bill and try not to go out to eat. It's not easy when you're a parent but if it means the difference of you not working on top of dental school it'll be worth it. Someone here became a dental loops rep while in dental school. You could probably make a decent commission if you get the word out to buy from you....just a thought.
I would take at look at your finances first and see if there is some way to cut back and live more frugally. We got rid of a lot of extra things we don't need. Lower your grocery bill and try not to go out to eat. It's not easy when you're a parent but if it means the difference of you not working on top of dental school it'll be worth it. Someone here became a dental loops rep while in dental school. You could probably make a decent commission if you get the word out to buy from you....just a thought.
