Did you have to work extra hard..

vinuneuro · #1 05-05-2007, 12:00 AM

to come up in life? ie. take out a loan to pay tuition, couple of jobs, live paycheck-paycheck at some point, etc.. (basically not depend on the 'rentz)

*respond only if you are over 25*

rayxi · #2 05-05-2007, 04:14 AM

Depends on what "extra" means to you. I put myself through 6 years of University. Worked full time in the summer to pay for school and worked weekends year round (without pay) to help the family business. Never asked my parents for financial assistance. Scholarships helped though.

I never thought of it as working "extra" hard. One might consider it "extra" hard compared to some of my peers at the time but there are also some who had it harder.

B-Line · #3 05-05-2007, 05:13 AM

Vin,

That's a tough question you ask... I think you're a lot more likely to hear from the people who did have to work extra hard. The ones that didn't, are probably not as proud to announce they had help.

Having said that, I'll be honest. I had a lot of help. My parents paid for everything involving my education: tuition, board, clothes, books, spending cash, even my lawyer when I got arrested :! etc.
I really didn't have to work very hard and very good grades were not expected, they were hoped for, but I didn't really come from an "academic" family.
However, my religion/culture is very, very big on education. It was not a matter of "if" I went to college, but where I went to college. I would say that was the norm for 99% of the people I know, who share my Jewish cultural heritage.
It is sort of expected that our parents will pay for college, if they have the means.

I then also had help starting my first business out of school, a web design firm that is now 11 years strong and running great.

I wish I could say, I accomplished it all my own, but that would be a lie. It took a village to raise this child...

And I plan to do the same for my kids. They will go to college, it will be paid for and they won't have to work to support themselves until they are done with their education. They can find "gravy" jobs, but I'll pick up the expenses.

I do want to add though, I worked hard in other ways. I grew up in a house with a divorced, disabled father. Even though it was no burden, living with a deaf dad has it's own sort of "extra hard work"... Little things that most people take for granted. Like making phone calls, setting appointments, etc. etc.

I know I was fortunate to have my path paid for but other kids were fortunate to be able to have a phone conversation with their dad's.. I guess my point is, everybody struggle's in some way, shape or another. I have a lot of respect for those that did it on their own. But I also have a lot of respect for those that did it with dyslexia, family problems, etc. etc.

B

Thunder22 · #4 05-05-2007, 07:29 AM

I wouldn't say it was "extra hard" but it sure as hell wasn't easy. I worked 35 hours a week at a full time job, full course load, triple major all 3 BS's (all completed on time in 4 years) and paid my own way (and I bartended on weekends in my senior year). It's probably the reason I won't get my masters, I'm still sick of school and i graduated almost 20 years ago

djbock · #5 05-05-2007, 09:01 AM

Pretty much same story as gresch. After I got off of active duty military went back to school. Worked full time, overnights 40+ hours a week, and went to school (20-24 semester hours each term) during the day. 4 BS's later and finally off to my life. No regrets of doing the military thing first; learned a lot about myself and got a better perspective of the world and other folk’s opinions and philosophies. Just finished my MBA degree this past December. Of course being an "adult" there was no help from my folks. I am glad that I did it this way as it helped me appreciate what I was doing a lot more. Also, when you are providing for youself at a time like that you are less inclined, IMO, to take advantage and concentrate more on the task at hand.

Juanted · #6 05-05-2007, 09:39 AM

Yes, yes, yes, and yes.

I took out loans; worked 30-32 hours a week with a full couse load; I lived paycheck to paycheck; I worked crappy jobs for 6 bucks an hour. Finished college in four years.

But I made it. And, now (10 years later), I'm in the middle of my master's program (at night) with a stressful, full-time job and long hours, and people ask me, "how DO you do it?" I just smile, and say "it's not that bad -- trust me."

It's the American Dream: You work hard, put in your time, and with a little luck, you'll do well. Funny thing is, luck usually comes to those who work hard.

Juan

LeMansX5 · #7 05-05-2007, 09:50 AM

Yes, worked extra hard to be where I am today. Can relate to Kaefer's story and went back to school in in late 20s and did masters.

B-Line · #8 05-05-2007, 01:39 PM

I guess I should add that I also went back for m Masters in my early thirties. Paid for that schooling myself.
But by that time, I was financially secure.

B