This month’s header deals with something we all have to focus on once in a while… money. As you can imagine as a student entering college, money is going to be a crucial part of my life. I’ll need to pay for books, tuition, etc., and none of it is cheap. It’s actually quite scary seeing the amount of money I’ll need to take out in loans, but it must be done. Getting a college education will allow me to find a better job down the road, so it will be worth it in the long run.
This summer is going to be focused completely on money. While I’d love to slack and just enjoy the time off, I need to make money for the upcoming semester. I’m going to be working as much as I can this summer. With some hard work I can reduce the amount of loans I’ll need to take out, which will allow me to rest a little easier.
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Good luck! Though I recommend you not working. This is your last summer enjoying yourself being a kid. You will now become an adult in college where you can work part time there. You are going to a state school so paying it off afterwards shouldn’t be that bad. Before I graduated college I got a full time position so now I been working ever since and sometimes I wish I had that extra slack off period. But money is good too, so enjoy yourself!
I couldn’t agree with you more Jonathan!
It’s a good idea not to slack off completely this summer, Ron. I know you feel like you need a break, but who doesn’t? The truth of the matter is that it’s wise to have enough money set aside to at least pay for your textbooks and supplies before starting college. Otherwise, you could be racking up credit card debt or relying on your parents to bail you out. You’re also going to need money to enjoy a decent social life in college. That way you’ll be able to enjoy the little free time you’ll have. So my advice for you is to put aside about $700-$1000 before your first year of college. Find out which bank ATM is on you campus and open an account with that bank. Most banks offer college student checking so there’s no minimum balance required. Then, get yourself a debit/credit card. It’s a convenient way for you to get cash when you need it and you wont have to pay those annoying bank service charges.
Herr Derhammer has all good points. But remember the completely part. It is still a summer break and the last one before college starts. You just graduated from college, chances are if you have a party for graduation you’ll be able to get a lot of money. I graduated HS in 1999 so I had enough money to purchase my own computer and spending money for books and beer. And I didn’t work, just the usual computer help/repair.
Once school did start however, I became a lab monitor - did that 20 hrs/week and 3 semesters later I got myself promoted into the web department. My sister works for a grocery chain and transferred to the one by her school so she can keep the rate, but I think there will be plenty of good on campus opportunities that you will like. The pay may not be good, and they probably won’t let you work more than 20 hrs/week but being a university, they know your academics come first and will accomodate (most jobs on campus at least) your schedule very well.
Just a helpful reminder, try to get at least Friday off, and if you’re really lucky, Monday too.
Thanks for the advice guys. What I’ve been planning is to work until August with my current job. I’m going to then take most of August off. Before I start college in late August I’m going to look for a better, higher paying job, or see if I can get into Penn State’s Work-study program. Penn State has some great Work-study web design jobs, that I think would fit me perfectly.
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