I work 9-5, M-F, so taking night classes works best for me. I just checked the summer class catalogue and every class I want/need to take is in the morning or early afternoon. I just started taking college classes for the first time this semester and I already feel so behind since I'm already 23 and I know so many people my age who already have degrees. I'd rather take as many classes as I can so I can get a degree as soon as possible. I'd really hate to miss summer semester, but I don't think I have any other choice.
I'm the administrative assistant at my job, so I'm required to be here full-time to answer phones, do light bookkeeping, and assist my boss and the 5 other tax staff with any tasks they are too busy for. My boss would probably be okay with letting me out a few hours early during summer since it's slow season (it's an accouting/tax firm), but missing work earlier in the day when most classes are available isn't an option because that's when I'm most needed.
I want to do both school and work, but if I really wanted the morning hours off, I'd have to give up my position because my boss is not going to hire someone and add another expense to the company just so I can have someone to fill in for me for a semester when he could (as much as he would hate to) train someone to replace me and pay them less.
I just don't know what to do, I feel like I'll never get through college at this rate. I love my job, my boss is wonderful, he's flexible when it comes to sick days and appointments, I'd hate to give it up, but at the same time I can't really grow here. I will always be the lowest paid in the office and without a degree my pay will never be $20 per hour or higher. I also had to work my way up to the pay I'm getting so I'd probably have to start at the bottom again if I found a different job. I'm so out of ideas!
Actually it wouldn't really be another expense if my boss had someone fill-in for me if he paid them the same or less. But I doubt anyone with equal experience would want to come in part-time...
Does the school offer online courses? Can you find a school to take online coursework for just the summer, then transfer those credits over to the school you normally attend?
When I was in school, I could never go during summer because my school did not offer night classes either. Also, financial aid is not offerred during the summer.
What about an internet class?
Financial aid is offered during the summer (I've taken courses the past two summers with loans...a SELF loan through the state of Minnesota and a loan from Wells Fargo). Just generally not grants because those are used up during the normal school year. Also, most people use up their entire state/federal loans during the regular school year so there is no money left in the summer.
I didn't even know that financial aid wasn't offered during summer! I'm such a newbie to all things college.
Online classes are a possibility if I can afford them. I took a look at the summer schedule and there are some classes available that I need like math and English.
Thanks for the suggestions.