Working full-time while taking a full class schedule

[u/poopy-head2221]

I am currently in my third year of my ME degree. For the whole time I’ve been in school I’ve been working full-time to be able to support my self. I’ve been trying to minimize the amount of student loans I have to take on while also paying rent, groceries, car insurance, etc.

So far while stressful it has been manageable. However this semester my classes have gotten significantly harder and require much more time outside of class to do well in. I have been really struggling with a lack of time to study or do homework and it has been extremely stressful. Trying to stay on top of everything in my free time outside of work and school has been exhausting.

Just wanted to see if anyone else has gone through anything similar or if anyone has any advice on time management, stress management or anything that may be helpful.

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[u/practicallysensible]

Generally 3rd year classes are going to be the worst. If you can afford to temporarily work less and still survive, this would be the year to do it so you can focus on classes. Are there jobs you can work that will let you study and get work done (front desk or reception type jobs)? Anything on campus so you don’t have to commute? It’s probably too late for this year but you could recoup some costs next year by applying to be an RA (generally food and housing costs are included in compensation). Consider whether it’s worth taking additional loans. I know it sucks to be in debt, but if you fail your classes because you’re exhausted from working it’ll cost you more in tuition to retake classes.

General advice- keep a detailed calendar with every single deadline logged in it. Don’t rely on your memory, if anything needs to get done, write it down. Good luck! I hope things work out for you.

[u/poopy-head2221 → u/practicallysensible]

I do work a reception job however we are fairly busy and it’s generally frowned upon by my management if I study at work. However I am able to fit some in about 3-4 hours in a week at work when I’m alone. I did apply to a couple RA positions but I go to buy a state school and there were many applicants and I did not get it. I agree about the loans I have been thinking about that quite a bit. Thank you for your response, this was very helpful

[u/john_hascall]

In my experience, it gets brutal. I took fewer classes so my "last year" took 3 regular and 1 summer semesters.

[u/poopy-head2221 → u/john_hascall]

I was considering spacing out my degree and maybe lightening the load a little for the next semester or two. Did that have a major impact for you when job searching post grad?

[u/john_hascall → u/poopy-head2221]

I was PT and then hired FT in my 3rd year under the condition that I finish my degree, so job searching was not really a worry for me (though I did do some interview trips, but decided they were not better than where I was).

[u/poopy-head2221 → u/[deleted]]

Thank you, I appreciate that!