Help - I should be get a job and I have a job offer but I don't want a job.

I am in my second year of college and I have been told by my parents I need to get a job. For the lest year I have been living off of savings from my summer job and I depend on my parents for nothing other than the roof over my head and food. However, they feel like I should get a job. The extra money would be nice, I have to admit, but I don't like how I feel about this. I have secured a job at a retail store and I begin training in the next few days. I feel like I should be happy about this but this means I will have 15 hours less a week to myself and for college work. I don't know why I feel like this. All I want is to come home after college, get my work for the day done and then play games. I feel like because of this I will have no time to myself. I just need some help on what I should do. Should I decline the job or take it? Will I be left without time for myself? I don't know what to do here.

Reply 1

OrionMusicNet

Original post by gaparkuk

Having a job while studying is likely only going to be a detriment to your studies at this point, and if you think about it, if you get a lower degree class as a result of getting this job now it may mean you are more likely to a get a worse / lower paying job when you leave uni so it may take you longer to pay off your debt. Basically what I am trying to say is there isn't much point in getting a job whilst at uni unless you absolutely have to, and in your case it's just your parents telling you to do it, so I would do my best to convince them that you are working extremely hard to do well at uni and that getting a job (early) will only make your grades worse at the end.

(edited 8 years ago)

Reply 2

1158

"I depend on my parents for nothing other than the roof over my head and food."

"All I want is to come home after college, get my work for the day done and then play games."

Why should your parents pay for the roof over your head and your food so you can sit at home and play games? Your parents are right. Welcome to the real world...

Reply 3

gaparkuk

Original post by OrionMusicNet

I am in college and not university.

Reply 4

OrionMusicNet

Original post by 1158

Having a balance of work and play is important. If this guy (or girl) gets a job and then only has time to do their job and to do work for college, then this person is going to be absolutely stressed out and it will likely end up affecting either this person's performance in their job or in college. His parents don't need the money (in my opinion at least) and so at least until he finishes his degree, if this person is working hard, I think it is reasonable that the parents should just pay for the food and living so that this person can focus on their studies and end up with a better outcome in the long run (better grades).

Reply 5

gaparkuk

Original post by 1158

I realise this but even if I get a job they do not expect me to pay anything towards bills or living costs. I think they may want me to get experience which is a very valid point and I happily work my summer job every year. I just don't want to work throughout the college year.

Reply 6

OrionMusicNet

Original post by gaparkuk

I am in college and not university.

Isn't it even more important you focus on school then? If you miss your grades at the end of the year it could end up with you being at an entirely different university for the next 3 years of your life and possibly end up affecting your employment prospects in the future.

Reply 7

gaparkuk

Original post by OrionMusicNet

I don't know. I just need someone to talk some sense into me. If I don't get a job I feel like I am being lazy, which I sort of am, if I do get a job then I feel my college work may suffer. I need a definitive answer. If somebody could please shout at me and scare me into getting this job I would be grateful.

Reply 8

OrionMusicNet

Original post by gaparkuk

You shouldn't make decisions based purely on what you feel like (the fact that you would feel lazy). The only reason you should feel lazy is if you aren't doing a lot of studying towards your subjects. Basically you are going to have to be honest with yourself and think about whether or not you are willing to dedicate a lot of time towards studying or if you know you would simply waste the time, and so you would be better off getting a job.

I, personally, would suggest not getting a job and focusing completely on getting the best grades possible this year, work hard and boost your employment prospects in the future (through getting into a better university or getting a better apprenticeship). Even if you don't improve your employment prospects it will still be a life skill to know how to be disciplined even doing something you don't enjoy much (studying) as when you get your first full time job that is likely to be the case. Additionally building a good work ethic is something that can stay with you for life so to think that this is only possible via a job is silly in my opinion and not efficient or effective. Just work hard for school, if you truly care a lot about your grades.

Reply 9

1158

Original post by gaparkuk

I'm doing a Maths degree and working 50+ hours a week. I still have time to have fun, play PS4 etc.
College is no way that difficult that you can't work part time, get up an hour earlier every day and you've already gained 7 hours a week extra.

Sorry to sound harsh but it looks like you are looking for excuses, I think you know what you should be doing but don't want to do it!

Reply 10

gaparkuk

Original post by 1158

Thanks for this. I just don't speak to anyone during the day at college and the only way I really socialise is through gaming. I know its unhealthy but its what I do. Your comment has really put this into perspective for me. I am going to do it. Thank you for the kick up the arse I needed.

Reply 11

winged hussar

Original post by 1158

Man , - big respect for it !
How are you able to manage this ?

Reply 12

likewildfires

It's your choice in the end, I'm at college Monday-Friday and then doing college work at home, plus working on the weekends and it IS draining, and I have thought about leaving but at the end of the day it's more money so if you don't need money then there's no point getting a job especially if it's gonna affect your college work.

Reply 13

1158

Original post by winged hussar

Man , - big respect for it !
How are you able to manage this ?

Thanks!!

With difficulty at times! It is an Open University maths degree so luckily I can fit all the study around work. I work 37hrs at my main job then anywhere from 16hrs+ on my own business (depending on the amount of orders etc.) which I work from home so can work around that too.

Last week for instance was very busy and so ended up doing my degree work from 6am-10pm in one day solid (with breaks for food!) as that was the only time I could fit it in.

I spent the last 3 years before all this working retail full time including working every weekend Saturday and Sunday. Had to clean the public loos on a Sunday morning too all for minimum wage! I don't want to go back to that s#!t (literally!) so just trying to make something of my life now I guess!