Going to College Part Time Has Perks and Perils
Some part-time college students share their tips for success
But part-time studies can work and have its advantages. Kristi Galakas, a part-time student at the University of Virginia, says she has been able to take classes with other part-time students, such as a war history class with Iraq war veterans and nursing classes with nurses already on the job. By spending less time in the classroom, she's been able to add the title of Miss Virginia and founder of the campus prelaw magazine to her résumé. "Being a part-time student shouldn't hold you back," says Galakas, 26. "More and more grad programs and employers want years of work experience. I now have a little more to offer."
Indeed, says Kolb. "Time management became a lot easier to handle, and I wasn't as stressed out," she says. Kolb averaged 12 credit hours a semester and 25 work hours a week. Copeland-Morgan says getting a mentor before and during college is one of the best decisions part-time students can make. "Going to school part time can mean losing critical peer and professional relationships and support," she says. "If they don't have mentors, it can be hard to stay focused and address issues."
"The student needs very good advising on courses he or she will need. They don't want to end up taking courses they can't use for graduation because it could put them back a year or even two," Steinberg says, adding that full-time students have more leeway in that regard. "And knowing that financial aid is limited is crucial for overall planning."
It's also important to honestly ask yourself a number of questions, such as, "Am I willing to go to school for a longer period of time?" and "How will this benefit me specifically? Will I be challenged enough academically?"
"You have to be happy," Kolb says. "I would have much rather taken a long time with school than feel overwhelmed and kill myself to still finish. It's a very personal decision."
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