School, Work, looking for advice

[Trkpony]

hey,
I posted something similar on westside,
I am wondering what I should do about school, and work.

I want to quit my job and concentrate on school, I have enough saving to live on for at least this semester and I would rather have a high GPA than to say that I have money now,
I want to get a computer science degree and I just wanted some opinions from some people who have or have not been through college before.

Does GPA really matter ? like a 4.0 GPA versus a 2.8 or 3.0?

I can't get a student loan b/c my parents don't want me to, I live under their roof, so I ussually abide by their rules.....
I need to bring up my GPA but still need to make a car payment and have gas to drive to school with, that is in my budget to live on but after 4 or 5 months I will prob. have to get another job.

I don't really know what I am asking but just some advice on school in general.... I know I need to get a degree but does it make a difference if I try hard and have a 4.0 GPA and in National Honors Society ?

thanks for any help ahead of time. I am going to sleep, Its 1am

[Rusman]

I have not finished college. I have one year under my belt, but I do plan to go back and finish, eventually.

If you can afford it, I'd say stop working and focus on school. IMO, I don't think GPA is that big of a deal, but I don't want to downplay the seriousness of a degree. If you can't get some type of degree "with honors" then I'd say not to bother dropping work unless it's seriously affecting your study habits.

I hope that's clear. :)

[TRAXX]

Originally posted by Trkpony

I can't get a student loan b/c my parents don't want me to, I live under their roof, so I ussually abide by their rules.....


Are you trying to say your parents flat out dont want you to go to school, or they want you to cut your expenses (car pymt) so that you can pay as you go w/o having to get a loan? I hope for your sake its not the first one. It seems to me you have the most important thing and that is the "drive" . Hopefully they wouldnt take that away from you!

As far as GPA, yes it helps to have a 4.0 but its not everything.
In any technical degree, I think work experience (through internships or co-ops) is just as if not more important than GPA.

<----by that statement you know my GPA wasnt anywhere NEAR a 4.0:blue:

[HangNail]

well ... im getting a comp sci degree as well. im on my 4th or 5th semester now. before i wasnt working and taking 12 hours per semester. i averaged 3.5 - 3.75 gpa. last semester i worked 20hours/week and i was enrolled in 9 hours of classes and i got a 4.0. personally i prefer working atleast a few hours and going to school at the same time. i wasnt too busy to study and i wasnt too busy studying, AND i had a little cash to play with. this semester im planning trying to work 30 hours and take 12 hours of classes.

[89LX306]

I'll give you my $.02.

I have a degree in Computer Science. I finished with a 3.5 GPA. My GPA got me considered for my first job (and believe me I was on the low end of the scale at my work place). I worked at Arthur Andersen (used to be THE premier accounting firm in Houston). If I hadn't had decent grades I would not have even been considered. But that is all a moot point now, LOL! Anywho go for good grades. Good grades will NEVER HURT you!

I am now starting my own consulting/contracting business and the big thing for me now is to have certifications. In the technology world it is a never-ending cycle of learning.

You CAN make it work no matter what you do. Like Hangnail I worked while I went to school. I worked 20 hours/week in the Technology department at school and took 18 hours my 1st semester of my junior year. 15 hours of that was CS classes. I made my first 4.0 that semester. Put your mind to it and you can accomplish anything.

[Trkpony]

Originally posted by Rusman
I'd say not to bother dropping work unless it's seriously affecting your study habits.


I was working 34 hours a week and taking 13 to 15 hours of classes....
it was affecting my grades and I knew it, I am sure some of you have had that feeling of going to take a test and not having a clue what it will be about. That feeling lets me know I was working too much and not reading/studying at all.


Originally posted by HangNail
last semester i worked 20hours/week and i was enrolled in 9 hours of classes and i got a 4.0.
this semester im planning trying to work 30 hours and take 12 hours of classes.

I might try to work 15-20 hours and take 13 hours of class
this is a medium
I would not advice taking the 12 hours of class and working 30 hours at work, unless you can work 8 hours on sat and 8 on sun. but thats your choice, you have to figure out what is good for you. my big problem is that my job is closed sat. and sun.


Originally posted by 89LX306
If I hadn't had decent grades I would not have even been considered. Good grades will NEVER HURT you!

I am now starting my own consulting/contracting business and the big thing for me now is to have certifications. In the technology world it is a never-ending cycle of learning.

You CAN make it work no matter what you do. Put your mind to it and you can accomplish anything.
exactly, I don't ever want to NOT be considered.
I have a question for you, you say you have a computer science degree but starting a consulting biz. is there no work for people with computer science degrees or are you just trying a new thing ?
I like the fact that you always have to learn with technology, I like learning and actually enjoy school and also I know I can make it work,thanks for the encoragement.
it's just getting through the potholes in the road without busting a tire and having to stop and change it.
:rolleyes: what a metaphor :D

[89LX306]

Teague,

To be honest with you, full time work is kinda slim right now. The market is saturated in Houston.

Besides I had been looking to start something new and getting laid off at Arthur Andersen was just the kick in the pants I needed. There are plenty of small companies out there seeking a person to help them with there technology needs. I have just really started to work my business in the last few weeks and have already gained several contacts. I am really looking forward to working for myself. You'll never make the money you want working for somebody else.