As I've been working on this blog since April, I've actually learned a lot about college students and school. There is lots of information, and studies that have been conducted about how working in school effects college students. Through time management, networking, and time management, we learn to balance our time to do the best that we can at everything.
After doing this research for my blog, I have come to terms with the fact that although I really enjoy my job, I would love the opportunity to explore other paths in college. Working is a necessity for me, and although I would not be able to quit at this time, I am planning to look into other options, such as scholarships and different forms of financial aid. Looking at both sides of this argument objectively, there are countless benefits to working while in college, like finally learning how to manage my time in a way that would allow me to prosper in both areas of my life.
Though I will continue to work, being able to explore this city we live in would also be an amazing way to pass the time. I would love to be involved in college activities and just enjoy having free time to explore other hobbies. Work is something that I have always enjoyed, not just because of the paycheck I receive every two weeks, but also because I really do enjoy my job. On the other hand, I have recently found other hobbies such as reading, and just having free time to go out with friends. Having more time would allow me to pursue other hobbies such as getting involved in internships and volunteering in programs more geared towards my Criminal Justice major.
I would like to continue working on this blog, as I feel partly as if it is a journal for me that has given me a chance to answer a lot of the questions that I have always had about choosing to work while in school. Researching for this blog has given me a lot of insight about reasons that college students work, such as financial aid not being offered to them, or wanting to have spending money throughout the semester.
One thing that has stood out to me so far, is that about fifteen years ago, it was reasonable to assume a college student could work part time, even just during summer, and pay to put themselves through college. With the cost of tuition constantly rising, and classes becoming more and more impacted at universities, that's become less of a reality for students of our generation. In the future I would like to look into the different options students have to earn different scholarships to help offset the cost of college, and to allow them to take advantage of new opportunities offered at school.
Showing posts with label College experience. Show all posts
Showing posts with label College experience. Show all posts
Monday, May 19, 2014
Missing the College Experience?
Many students consider working while in college as a way to be more productive with their free time. Working shifts, and earning money during their time off offers students a beneficial perk: MONEY. While many students choose to not work while in school, and tend to spend their off time leisurely during the week and weekend, some of us instead consider having a job as a good way to spend our time.
From experience, when I first considered getting a job, it seemed like a productive way to spend my free time because instead of just sleeping until noon, or spending an entire weekend in watching Netflix, I would be making money in my free time. Soon, it became evident that working was no longer something fun to do during my free time, and it became another obligation of its own. With nearly 80% of college students working while in school, it's hard to imagine that there's much time left at the end of a hectic week to spend on things that we would like to do, such as going out with friends, or sleeping in.
Now that I have pretty much no free time, I have changed my mind on my original thought process. Upon entering college last fall, I believed that free time just fostered bad decisions such as partying and staying out late. Now, as we are wrapping up the spring semester, I've learned that having free time, or as it's called in Careen Yarnel's article, "Teach Students Benefits of Positive Leisure Time Use," leisure time, can be very beneficial to developing ones self, especially during college. There are so many positive things that we can do when given the time to. Yarnel points out that spending time relaxing with family and friends can help students unwind from hectic school schedules.
Throughout this year, I've seen how many different things I would like to get involved in, but I simply lack the free time to do them. Along with the other college students who work full time, I understand that I've chosen to give up my free time in a chance to gain financial independence at a young age. If I did not work, or just did not work as much, I would have the opportunity to volunteer in things things that I am interested in, or read more. These are examples of the things that Yarnel labels as character building.
These activities can increase social activity and happiness overall. Allowing students to step away from the stress of school, and share laughs with friends and family.
What kinds of positive activities would you like to do, or do you already do with your free time?
From experience, when I first considered getting a job, it seemed like a productive way to spend my free time because instead of just sleeping until noon, or spending an entire weekend in watching Netflix, I would be making money in my free time. Soon, it became evident that working was no longer something fun to do during my free time, and it became another obligation of its own. With nearly 80% of college students working while in school, it's hard to imagine that there's much time left at the end of a hectic week to spend on things that we would like to do, such as going out with friends, or sleeping in.
Now that I have pretty much no free time, I have changed my mind on my original thought process. Upon entering college last fall, I believed that free time just fostered bad decisions such as partying and staying out late. Now, as we are wrapping up the spring semester, I've learned that having free time, or as it's called in Careen Yarnel's article, "Teach Students Benefits of Positive Leisure Time Use," leisure time, can be very beneficial to developing ones self, especially during college. There are so many positive things that we can do when given the time to. Yarnel points out that spending time relaxing with family and friends can help students unwind from hectic school schedules.
Throughout this year, I've seen how many different things I would like to get involved in, but I simply lack the free time to do them. Along with the other college students who work full time, I understand that I've chosen to give up my free time in a chance to gain financial independence at a young age. If I did not work, or just did not work as much, I would have the opportunity to volunteer in things things that I am interested in, or read more. These are examples of the things that Yarnel labels as character building.
These activities can increase social activity and happiness overall. Allowing students to step away from the stress of school, and share laughs with friends and family.
What kinds of positive activities would you like to do, or do you already do with your free time?
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