Change is hard....and so is trust

[LaMusicaSenior]

Hello all,

This week I got my final award package for my college and it was much less than expected. This is really hard because I’m paying for my own college and trying to figure our how to be a good steward of God’s money and not be in debt.

Another thing that I’m struggling with is trying to find the balance between post-college careers and my vocation. I sincerely feel God calling me to be a wife and stay-at-home mother, and I’m trying to figure out what post-college career will work with that. This goes hand in hand with the fact that I don’t have a decided major, and I feel like I’m floating in General Education world. I know I’m only an incoming Freshman, so I have plenty of time, but I like to have some sort of a plan.

I know God has a plan for me, and that I can trust Him as I do my part, but I am really struggling to adjust to this change - both in my budget and my life in general.

Any advice you have for this situation or just the high school to college transition in general, let me know.

Thanks all!

Chloe M.

 

[Morwenna]

Hi Chloe!

Like you, I had to pay my own way. One thing that I did, which I would highly recommend to anyone, is to do your general ed requirements (usually the first two years) at a Community College instead of an expensive private college or university.

I’m sure I saved thousands of dollars by doing so … and not only that, but the education I received there (as shocking as this will sound to some), was far superior, in every respect, to that which I received at the four-year university. Of course, YMMV … but I’d encourage you to seriously consider it.

As for choosing a major, don’t stress too much at this point, since (unless things have drastically changed since I was in college), most of the first two years is taken up with general ed stuff anyway. This buys you a bit of time to think and pray about your major.

A quick question for you, if you feel comfortable answering: have you put down any money yet? Unrefundable money that will be lost if you choose another school at this point?

 

[jeannetherese]

Hi Chloe!

Like you, I had to pay my own way. One thing that I did, which I would highly recommend to anyone, is to do your general ed requirements (usually the first two years) at a Community College instead of an expensive private college or university.

I’m sure I saved thousands of dollars by doing so … and not only that, but the education I received there (as shocking as this will sound to some), was far superior, in every respect, to that which I received at the four-year university.

Agreed! Twice the education for half the cash! Save the extra bucks for your last few years or for grad school. At community Colleges, professors are there to teach not to research and help their grad students. Classes are small and are taught by Profs, rather than led by TAs and you will get a similar level of work. (There is only so much that can be shared in an hour lecture.) Your Community College Prof will be more likely to know you by name and there will be fewer student in his/her office during office hours when you have a question to discuss.
When I started, I worried about the transition to University. Once I reached University, I was so grateful for having spent my early years in a school that was oriented towards education rather than research. I was very well prepared to be successful at a 4 year school.
Best wishes and may God bless you!

 

[bluetopaz]

I went to a four-year, state universIty. One of the professors who taught two of my upper division classes had so many awesome jobs and live experiences on top of teaching. He taught at my school part-time and at a community college full time! I was paying a ton of extra money for the exact same stuff.

 

[JackieMom]

Community colleges are a great option, but if you are looking for the “university experience” (dorms, sororoties, football games, the “going away to school thing” etc.) then a traditional 4-year has its advantages, too.

As an at-home mom, I am so glad I pursued nursing. After college, my friends who had “just” a bachelor’s degree floundered to find meaningful career-type work and either had to accept jobs at Starbuck’s/retail or had to go on to grad school. I graduated and walked right into a professional career with benefits, a 401k, etc.

Now, I have the flexibility to work once a week, work from home, work in a clinical or non-clinical setting, do home-health care - good nurses are always in demand, the pay is good, the work meaningful, and there is LOADS of flexibility as life changes. I plan to return to working in a few years and am not worried about finding a good job.

So, my recommendation if you do not plan to pursue grad school, is to be very thoughtful about your degree NOW. Frankly, a bachelor’s in English or history won’t get you very far post-graduation unless you have amazing connections. Consider choosing an educational path that puts you right into a job, that distinguishes you from the hundreds of thousands of other kids with a generic bachelor’s. Walk out of college in demand vs. clawing at a few job openings in a sea of others who are equally as qualified. Getting a teaching credential, an RN, sonography degree, or other specialized certification is going to put you ahead of the pack.

 

[TheRealJuliane]

Hello all,

This week I got my final award package for my college and it was much less than expected. This is really hard because I’m paying for my own college and trying to figure our how to be a good steward of God’s money and not be in debt.

Another thing that I’m struggling with is trying to find the balance between post-college careers and my vocation. I sincerely feel God calling me to be a wife and stay-at-home mother, and I’m trying to figure out what post-college career will work with that. This goes hand in hand with the fact that I don’t have a decided major, and I feel like I’m floating in General Education world. I know I’m only an incoming Freshman, so I have plenty of time, but I like to have some sort of a plan.

I know God has a plan for me, and that I can trust Him as I do my part, but I am really struggling to adjust to this change - both in my budget and my life in general.

Any advice you have for this situation or just the high school to college transition in general, let me know.

Thanks all!

Chloe M.

Many, many students in similar situations to yours are starting out at a community college and then transferring to the larger school as sophomores or even juniors. But, in your case, I don’t know if you can delay your financial aid award for a year or two. So you have to weigh that up.

Once you get to campus, get a job, on-campus if possible. Sometimes you can get at least a tuition discount for working in one of the departments or even student organizations. Explore all options on-campus first.

Did you get any vocational counseling in HS? That’s a person who can ask you some questions to see if you have any talents or interest in some area that could lead to a practical career. With the cost of a 4 year college degree, I would never recommend going there without a specific focus. In fact, there is such a demand for trades right now, that I am having trouble justifying most 4 year degrees, especially the liberal arts degrees. If you haven’t graduated yet, try to visit your vocational counselor again and discuss your direction with him/her.

Pray, pray, pray! Back in the day, women often went to “teacher college” or “secretarial school” while waiting to get their “MRS.” degree. But now, women have to be interested in a career as well, so you will have to get some qualifications. I would pick something practical that you can pick back up at any time. The PP who mentioned nursing gets a from me.

 

[Lorelei12]

It’s hard paying your way through school, and it’s good that you are thinking ahead. If you still plan on attending this particular college, you’ll either have to make up the difference by paying up front or taking out loans. Just so you know, taking out some student loans doesn’t mean you aren’t a “good steward of God’s money”. You have to be responsible, though, and decide how much debt is reasonable for your situation. Is your college very expensive? Are you going to be living on campus? I received a lot of financial aid and scholarships, which ended up covering a lot of my undergraduate tuition, but what I am still paying back is mostly the room and board costs! Work as much as you can this summer, and definitely look for work on campus when you start.

If I could do it over again, I would have focused on a more practical field and not proceeded with the undergraduate program that I did. Take courses that interest you but also think very carefully about where the major you decide on will put you when you’re done. When I went to college, I was led to believe (as were many of my peers) that it didn’t matter what you majored in as long as you got a degree. To an extent this might be true, but specializing in a field where careers are in demand would have been smarter for me, since I had to get an advanced degree to even work in my field. That took a few more years and more student loans.

Finally, if you are called to marriage you don’t know what your circumstances are going to be- I was married in my late 20s and thank goodness I had a career and could support myself. You don’t know when or if you will meet your spouse, and when you do you have to be prepared for all kinds of situations that might not be ideal for you. Although I would love to be able to stay at home with my children when/if they come, we won’t be able to afford it. I guess what I am trying to say is to be responsible with how you finance your education and major, remain prayerful, and be prepared that things may not turn out the way you expect them to in the end. You sound very level-headed and open to God’s will for your life, and that is what is important.

 

[LaMusicaSenior]

Like you, I had to pay my own way. One thing that I did, which I would highly recommend to anyone, is to do your general ed requirements (usually the first two years) at a Community College instead of an expensive private college or university.

I’m sure I saved thousands of dollars by doing so … and not only that, but the education I received there (as shocking as this will sound to some), was far superior, in every respect, to that which I received at the four-year university. Of course, YMMV … but I’d encourage you to seriously consider it.

A quick question for you, if you feel comfortable answering: have you put down any money yet? Unrefundable money that will be lost if you choose another school at this point?

Thanks for the advice! I actually went to a community college during my junior/senior year in HS. I was able to get 11 hours out of the way. I liked the experience, but it was such a small school and it was almost three hours on the road every time I went there. The cost of the driving equaled out the cost of the small university. Also, the small university has given me a scholarship each year for four years that will pay for 1/3 of the cost. I’d hate to loose that.

I went to a four-year, state universIty. One of the professors who taught two of my upper division classes had so many awesome jobs and live experiences on top of teaching. He taught at my school part-time and at a community college full time! I was paying a ton of extra money for the exact same stuff.

I loved my teachers at community college, and one of them does teach at the university where I will be attending. Another reason that I picked the university was for the Catholic Campus Center and the fact that it’s so close, I can live at home while going to school = saving some money, which is always good

It’s hard paying your way through school, and it’s good that you are thinking ahead. If you still plan on attending this particular college, you’ll either have to make up the difference by paying up front or taking out loans. Just so you know, taking out some student loans doesn’t mean you aren’t a “good steward of God’s money”. You have to be responsible, though, and decide how much debt is reasonable for your situation. Is your college very expensive? Are you going to be living on campus? I received a lot of financial aid and scholarships, which ended up covering a lot of my undergraduate tuition, but what I am still paying back is mostly the room and board costs! Work as much as you can this summer, and definitely look for work on campus when you start.

The college cost for me right now is $4,000 a year. This doesn’t seem like much - and for right reasons, since the Catholic College that I wanted to go would have been 5x this much for just one year. I’ll be living at home. I’m still waiting for two scholarships to (hopefully) be given. I do work right now, too. I work two “official” part time jobs, teach music lessons and accompany on piano in a few odd jobs.

Finally, if you are called to marriage you don’t know what your circumstances are going to be- I was married in my late 20s and thank goodness I had a career and could support myself. You don’t know when or if you will meet your spouse, and when you do you have to be prepared for all kinds of situations that might not be ideal for you. Although I would love to be able to stay at home with my children when/if they come, we won’t be able to afford it. I guess what I am trying to say is to be responsible with how you finance your education and major, remain prayerful, and be prepared that things may not turn out the way you expect them to in the end. You sound very level-headed and open to God’s will for your life, and that is what is important.

This is true. God has a plan with a future full of hope for me. I just have to listen for His will. Thank you to all for your advice!!

God bless,

Chloe M.

 

[EasterJoy]

As you choose your major, keep in mind that a wife and mother is sometimes called upon to provide a salary to her family, even when she and her husband marry with the intention of living off of his salary alone when children arrive. Husbands can die, be disabled, or prove incapable as breadwinners, and the children still need to eat. As some on this forum can tell you, as well, children are a blessing that not every married couple gets, and certainly not one that every married couple gets at the time they had intended. Finally, it can take a long time to find a worthy spouse in our times. It is prudent for a young adult to be able to support themselves until they marry and to find a way to do so without incurring a debt burden that will load down their family too much, but it is also prudent to consider that homeschooling is made much easier by a prudently-chosen college education. As you choose your electives, keep in mind what you will want to know should you decide to home-school.

There are relatively few occupations that ought to be avoided as incompatible with saintly motherhood. St. Gianna Beretta Molla (1922 – 1962) was a wife, mother and physician. Follow the vocation that seems best suited to the talents the Lord gave you and the financial resources He has put at your disposal, which can include debt, provided the debt load is a reasonable amount.