What to do about work versus pre-req's?

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My first post here is a question about working while taking prerequisites!

I work full-time, and it's not really an option not to. I have worked hard building up my units to be able to even have a chance during registration to get science classes, and this fall will be the first time I get them. The school where I will be taking pre-req's has Anatomy and Physiology at decent evening times, but the Chemistry and Micro classes both start at 5 pm, which I really don't understand. They used to have later options in the past, but the past year, and now next year, they are early.

Now I'm kind of at a loss. I have looked around at other colleges to see about these classes, and the latest they start elsewhere is only 5:30, which doesn't really help me, since I would have to drive farther to get there and wouldn't stand a chance of getting them during registration anyway.

I guess what I'm wondering, is if it is really worth it to take a part-time job and take out loans when I am just in the prerequisite stage? Are there any other people who have encountered this problem? What have you done to get around it?

Thanks!

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if there is no other way and you really want to complete those pre reqs u will do what u need to do. there is no two ways about it. u can wait and hope they change the schedule or u can go part time and get a loan... decisions decisions!

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It's really hard, especially since I decided two years ago I wanted to do this, and I haven't been able to get the science classes til now. Actually, even now I'm kind of crossing my fingers. haha

I'm hoping that my bf and I can figure something out once we get married and settled sometime in the end of this year or beginning of next. He would never be able to support us fully on his income (yay Southern California rents) but who knows. He is probably more open to the idea of loans than I am. I am very nervous when it comes to money.

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u urself know what ur situation is like so only you can evetually decide whether to get a loan or not.

if it were me....

i would get a loan and get the classes done as quickly as possible. i am 33 years old, moved from the uk in 2007 and i have been aggressively been pursuing my pre reqs. maybe a little too aggressive such that my life is basically all about school. even in the summer i would take 12units! my desire to get this done is so strong i applied to 12 schools for fall and currently i am on FIVE waiting lists. its so frustrating u have no idea.

u could consider changing jobs, i do caregiving and that is a very simple job that allows me to study on the job and most of my clients insist that i study. so u could consider changing job doing something that will allow u to get similar income and take these classes.

life unfortunately is about making choices...

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Talk to the school. Sometimes schools add a section, although that is probably a very long shot in California these days. At least, they might know if later classes might happen in later terms (either that they offer them sometimes or that they have teacher with tenure who won't be teaching later).

Talk to your employer, sometimes they will work with you about your hours for something like this. It helps if the class isn't five days per week, then you can work late some days to leave early other days. Sometimes people can come in early to be able to leave early.

Or look for another full time job that has earlier hours or weekend hours.

I would avoid the loans if at all possible.

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I'd really love to find a different job all together. I guess when you look at it, I have a lot of time, since I can take anatomy and physiology and then worry about the other two. It's hard to not think ahead, though, when you're trying to plan your academics, kwim? :)

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I know exactly what you mean. :) I've found it is good to do all the detailed planning ahead, as long as I don't get myself all twisted up into knots over things that ended up changing anyway (I'm semisuccessful at that, it gets easier). The planning has saved a lot of time and money because I can get into position to be able to jump when the time come and to recognize a good time to jump.

The good news is you have these other classes to take while you look for a way to make your job work or for another job.

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If there aren't any others schools close to you, like a Community College. I would check

for schools that offer online courses. It'll be difficult but you can do it!

Good luck.

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Hi,

Is your employer at all flexible about your work hours? Maybe you can talk to your boss and slighly adjust your schedule for the days you have classes. So instead of 9-5 perhaps you can go 8-4? or whatever your schedule is.

Another option would be to look at other nearby colleges or universities and see if the science classes they offer would better fit your schedule. Or, look for online courses so you can take classes on your own time.

I'd be reluctant to take out loans at this stage (I'm not sure if it'd effect how much I can get for loans later), but only you know your financial situation and if it'd be worth it.

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I know exactly how you feel. I work full time, also, and have been trying to plan my prereqs. Like you said, I know I have plenty of time, but I want to know that I'll be able to take them at some point instead of worrying about it.

I'd also suggest seeing if you can shift your hours a little bit so you can leave early. I'm not sure what sort of job you have, but maybe you could go in earlier on those days.

I'm lucky in that I work in the afternoon and evening, so I can make morning classes. Unfortunately, the schools around here have certain classes that are offered only in the afternoons or have exams at night. For me, I'm taking the ones I can in the mornings (some at the university, and some at the community college) and taking the rest online. Some of them will be difficult to take online, but I'm not planning on quitting my job until I get into nursing school. I need to save up money, and it's the best way for me to do it.

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Specializes in EMT-P.

There is always the option of online classes, not sure about chemistry since they always require the useless lab. Perhaps some online have a home lab you can do as well. If you search hard enough, I am sure you can find one somewhere. Might not be cheap though.

--------------edit-----------------------

I just found this link

https://allnurses.com/forums/f125/onl...cky-88965.html

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Thanks for all the advice so far. I think I might have found a school right near my work where I can take Chemistry! I haven't attended the school before, so I'm going to go today and see if they will clear me to register for the class. I will update once I find out.

ETA: Oh, and about leaving work...I already work the earliest schedule they allow, which lets me leave at 4. I work about 1.5 hours from where I live, so that's where my problem comes in...I only have the seniority at the school near my house. Gah.

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