Welcome back, everyone! Today's success recipe talks about how you can be fully independent while going to college and actually survive. This topic is something I did a lot of research beforehand and was stressed about all the time. Now that I am successfully accomplishing it every day (knock on wood), I thought I should help my fellows and give some tips and tricks.
The Initial Investment
When I went to college after my year and a half break, I had saved some money. I was also working a full-time job that operated seven days and ran as early as 6 am till 9 pm.
Finding a full-time job in college that is flexible and operates seven days a week is challenging.
Usually, a call center, a 24/7 kind of position, works very well. The reason is that these jobs operate at different times, and you can set your availability according to school. While my job wasn't a 24/7 kind of situation, it was still seven days and had a 4 day schedule. I would work 10 hr shifts for four days, and three other days would be my school days. I took five classes every semester, so I just had to make sure my schedule was on point. Now that I work a full-time job, of course, it has its pros and cons.
Pros of Working Full-Time While in College
1) Health insurance (mine was paid by my employer, yay!)
2) Tuition repayment plan
3) Time off, and holiday pay
4) Overtime opportunities, if not salaried
5) Consistent paychecks
Cons of Working Full-Time While in College
1) Less time for school
2) Having to stay late for work
3) Not able to meet school deadlines
4) Being tired after work
5) Not having a social life
How to Stay On Top of Things
Yes, when you have a full-time job and full-time school, it gets very tricky finding time for anything else. One of the main things that helped me keep my life together was a Planner!
Yes, you heard that right—a physical book planner. I couldn't get used to a digital planner because I would ignore notifications and start using Instagram every time I had to check my planner. There is something very comforting about the act of crossing off items on your list. I felt like I was accomplishing something, and it felt good. Write down everything you need to get done and make sure to get it done. Use some kind of enforcement, if that what it takes for you to get things done. Planning out things in advance will help you stay on track and give you a chance to go out once a month.
What About a Part-Time Job?
Now, if you can't find a full-time job, that's ok too! You can work a part-time job, but you will most likely need to have a couple of side hustles to pay that rent and other bills. You just have to make sure you don't stress out and keep researching what's new. Trust me, people pay money to see stupid stuff. There are so many side hustles, but you have to find a couple that works for you because you can use those as your "me time" kind of thing. I am going to write another blog on "Managing Finances in College," which will further discuss how you can pay all your bills and still have fun while in college, so stay tuned. But till then, go to TarrrJayyyy and buy yourself a planner ;)
Song, I'm listening to this week: Sunday Best by Surfaces
Laugh Now Cry Later by Drake
**When you successfully pay all your bills the first of month**
Until next time, Peace 💵
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