Extra Job

[kemmerlinj2]

Anyone else do this? I am a full time college student (on the GI Bill so bills are paid for) saving for a trip in December of 2018. 14 days at WDW and a 7 day cruise for myself and parents as a surprise! To help with savings I took a job overnight where all the money goes towards the trip. Does anyone else do this? My friends think I'm crazy and my response is simply "It's freaken Disney!"

 

[Jen and Ashwin]

Anyone else do this? I am a full time college student (on the GI Bill so bills are paid for) saving for a trip in December of 2018. 14 days at WDW and a 7 day cruise for myself and parents as a surprise! To help with savings I took a job overnight where all the money goes towards the trip. Does anyone else do this? My friends think I'm crazy and my response is simply "It's freaken Disney!"

I worked all throughout college and all but the first year of law school (they have a rule that forbids first years from working). It was a part time job, between 10-20 hours per week. I generally saved the money and eventually most of it went towards a house down payment. I think working while going through school was beneficial for me.

I also got a part time job tutoring ACT students during the year before my wedding in order to defray some of the wedding expenses. No regrets there either. I think as long as you can maintain your other commitments, then there is nothing wrong with it.

 

[ruadisneyfan2]

Anyone else do this? I am a full time college student (on the GI Bill so bills are paid for) saving for a trip in December of 2018. 14 days at WDW and a 7 day cruise for myself and parents as a surprise! To help with savings I took a job overnight where all the money goes towards the trip. Does anyone else do this? My friends think I'm crazy and my response is simply "It's freaken Disney!"

I'm all for students working PT, I did from age 16, but if you work overnight when do you get a chance to sleep?

 

[kemmerlinj2]

I'm all for students working PT, I did from age 16, but if you work overnight when do you get a chance to sleep?

I get back from work at 7:30 AM, take a nap till about 9:30 then have class everyday from 10am-2pm then sleep from then until 8:30 so I can be at work at 10:00. It helps I live right across the street from campus lol.

 

[Debbie Torres]

I think that is awesome that you are doing that as a surprise for parents. It sounds as if you like to stay busy. I am interviewing for an online teaching job on Wednesday to support my traveling addiction . I teach Elementary school all day and I have a family but the experiences and memories that I can give to them are priceless.

 

[Pooh2]

What an amazing gift for your parents!

 

[HopperFan]

Anyone else do this? I am a full time college student (on the GI Bill so bills are paid for) saving for a trip in December of 2018. 14 days at WDW and a 7 day cruise for myself and parents as a surprise! To help with savings I took a job overnight where all the money goes towards the trip. Does anyone else do this? My friends think I'm crazy and my response is simply "It's freaken Disney!"

I think it's amazing and your parents are going to be over the moon.

 

[seashell7290]

When will you do things like study? Extra cash around is always nice but a schedule like that every day would drive me crazy!

 

[kemmerlinj2]

When will you do things like study? Extra cash around is always nice but a schedule like that every day would drive me crazy!

I've got an hour break between my classes and do a lot of studying the three days per week I don't work.

 

[Rantybaby]

You didn't say how old you are or do you have outside hobbies? If your body can take it go for it. Make sure you get your rest and eat well. Also, take some YOU time alone. Have fun with your parents.

 

[ruadisneyfan2]

When will you do things like study? Extra cash around is always nice but a schedule like that every day would drive me crazy!

This is my thoughts too. I've worked in a hospital for 26 years and did a lot of night shift in my 20's, until I became a mom. After being up all night, I felt like I was hit by a truck. There's no way I could have "napped" for 2 hours then attend a class and be functional. Maybe for a day or 2 but not for months on end. You can always treat your family to a nice trip when you're done school and working FT.
Jmho, though. You know yourself better than any of us here. For me, this would definitely be like burning a candle from both ends.
Good luck to you.

 

[Jen and Ashwin]

This is my thoughts too. I've worked in a hospital for 26 years and did a lot of night shift in my 20's, until I became a mom. After being up all night, I felt like I was hit by a truck. There's no way I could have "napped" for 2 hours then attend a class and be functional. Maybe for a day or 2 but not for months on end. You can always treat your family to a nice trip when you're done school and working FT.
Jmho, though. You know yourself better than any of us here. For me, this would definitely be like burning a candle from both ends.
Good luck to you.

I have to agree. This schedule does not seem to give you much time for school work or just to relax. I worked 10-20 hours per week in school, but it was for the most part on weekends during the day. I sometimes worked a few hours on a school day, put never an 8 hour shift over night. If you notice you are unable to keep up and maintain As/Bs in your classes, then I would give up the job. You don't get take backs with your finals grades and what you do now really effects the whole rest of your life. There will be time yet to earn money for vacations and treat your family.

 

[Sadie22]

Putting aside some money for a vacation is great as long as other things are taken care of. There needs to be much more to college than attending classes and getting a diploma at the end. Is the night job in the chosen field of study and will it help with good employment in the chosen field at graduation, or is it simply a means to earn money? Is money being saved towards living expenses for an unpaid internship in the chosen field or for a period of unemployment after graduation if the job does not materialize? Is there time for other enriching activities and a social life? Are networking contacts being made that will be helpful to get interviews for employment in the time leading up to graduation?

 

[APiratesLifeForMe2]

No I did not take a job during college to pay for a trip but as soon as I graduated and got a full time job but still lived at home, I booked a trip for my mom and I staying at a deluxe resort. Because I just started the job, I didn't have much flexibility with time off so it was only a long weekend trip but I am so glad I did it when I had the money.

I think your idea is great and it sure does sound like the trip of a lifetime. Good luck!

 

[elaine amj]

Well, OP gets 3 full days off a week with no work. That's quite a bit of time available for studying if you are efficient about it (and not in one of those insanely demanding fields of study).

OP - sounds like a good thing. Just be careful not to let your grades slip and pay attention to the other aspects of your life that are important too. It's a good discipline to have a goal and to be willing to work towards it (great life lessons too!!). Kudos to you for being willing to put in the effort to treat your parents to a dream vacay

 

[crisi]

In addition to Sadie's practical concerns (and even if you get a job right after graduation, the living expenses right out of college often outpace earnings), is the job leaving you with enough time and energy to keep up a GPA - in a lot of fields GPA is important for your first job - and of course its important for grad school. Do you have any health concerns - stress, anxiety, depression, heart disease in your family or strokes, a tendency to obesity, etc., where a good sleep schedule is critical to health maintenance.

Don't risk the future for a Disney trip.

And yes, I've done the insane schedule. A full time plus job, a half time college, two young kids. But I did it for long term economic security, not to go to Disney. And it did effect my health.

But if you can pull it off, and your career choice is one that you aren't worried about student loans and apartment costs at graduation where money would be needed for needs instead of wants - go for it.

 

[kemmerlinj2]

I have a 3.5 gpa and my grades are right where they were before the job and it's been two months so I know it's not impacting my grades at all. I still have time for my friends and social activities since there are three days I don't actually work. I've been used to this schedule before when I worked in the military! But I appreciate the concerns and well wishes!

 

[mi*vida*loca]

I say go for it while you're young and your body can handle. Before you have kids and a lot more responsibility.

 

[Paula Sedley-Burke]

Good for you! You should be proud.

 

[tink1970]

've been used to this schedule before when I worked in the military! But I appreciate the concerns and well wishes!

I worked insane hours in the military as well (before the residency limitation and as a solo provider deployed overseas several times) so I understand where you're coming from. You also understand that life is short, relationships and memories are meaningful and (hopefully) how personal discipline can make or break a challenging routine. Good for you for prioritizing school but not missing out on making special memories with your family.