Now what?

[.Mikha'el.]

So here's the situation now. I've been accepted into the Library Studies program path at one of the library tech programs I applied for. It's not admission to the full program, but does allow me to take courses that count towards the program, with the prospect of admission if I handle these courses successfully and get some library or other related experience.

The problem is what to do with the living situation. I face a huge dilemma. On one hand, I could take the classes here and continue to live with my family. It would be far cheaper. But on the other, I think it would be really problematic academically. Not only would it take at least four years instead of a potential two, but having the professor in another city 200 miles away is a real obstacle to academic success. It would also give me the independence that I need to help stabilize my mental health. I've had it with living here for several years, and this could get me out.

But I question whether I could survive financially over those couple of years if my opportunities to work would be severely limited on the basis of the academic demands. And according to the university website, the housing on campus charges 5700 for an eight-month school term, and food and tuition would be on top of that. I just don't know how I would get by, despite the fact I've paid off existing student loans. I do have 6500 in my savings, but that's just a fraction of what I'd need to live on. And what happens if I move down there and don't get into the actual program?

I need advice.

 

[harpist41]

Hi there,

I guess you have to balance the stress of living at home against the stress of coming out of school with a lot of debt -- what would be easier? Would it work for you to stay where you are now and do the distance education, try to get some library experience
and save money so that when you're ready to go into the full-time program, you'll have more saved and can do that on-site?

I did my masters in library science a few years back and don't think that doing it by distance would have made much difference. I also did another diploma by distance and what I found worked was to set aside specific hours of the day to do school work. I would do my regular job, get home at about 5pm, study until 7, have dinner and then the rest of the evening was mine. Just because something worked for me, doesn't mean it will work for you, but just wanted to throw this out as a possibility. The nice thing was that I was able to get experience and come out with no student debt.

Can you talk to the people in the faculty to find out how much support you get through the distance model? Are professors regularly available? Are there other students you can talk to?

Sorry, this doesn't give much advise, but hope it may help a bit.

 

[ZedricV]

Sorry I don't have any advise for you but here's a hug and some encouragement, hoping you can find your way through this dilemma as smoothly as possible

 

[RuthD]

I would weigh the pros and cons on paper. That is all I can think of. Praying for you to find the answer.

 

[drjean]

I agree that you have to weigh the stress... from living at home to financial burdens. You've come to this point of taking coursework while living at home...what changed that you think you can't continue with studies?

Documented depression should allow you for accommodations, one might be working with the professor online instead of face to face. Check with the college counselor and see what accommodations they have for you (might be a few things you haven't thought about.)

There's nothing wrong with taking courses that can be changed into credits later, with admission. I'm about to do that with Knox Seminary, doctoral program.

 

[Criada]

I don't know much about the US educational system, but I'm praying