Question:
I feel like I'm close to breaking down:( Money Issues?
Melissa ♥
2010-02-17 18:51:12 UTC
I know the best answer to this is a job, but because of my A Levels and the massive amount of coursework and revision that I have to do, I just won't have the time. I'm 18 and I live with my Dad and hes pretty ill and often in hospital due to heart issues so I'm expected to look after my 9 year old brother and make sure he gets to school on time, has dinner etc..I just don't see how I can get a job.. unless I give up sleeping :|

I find it hard to find the money to travel to my boyfriends so our relationship is going down the toilet and the thought of the massive uni loans I'm going to have to take out are terrifying:(

I have a college trip to France in just over 4 weeks and I need to go on it, because its part of the Graphics course I'm taking, if I don't go, I'm likely to fail...I have no idea how I'm going to pay for it though.

I feel so down, all I think about is money issues :'( I feel like I'm falling apart.
Do you have any advice...any at all? :(
Five answers:
symphony.no.7
2010-02-17 19:20:30 UTC
You're not in a situation to get a job, and that's okay. Your money issues aren't that terrible that there isn't a solution.

The boyfriend - have you spoken to him about the issue? If you're having such trouble at home, he needs to step it up and take care of you for once. You can't be expected to maintain the relationship yourself, it seems pretty one-sided from what you've written here. He knows you're taking care of your brother and getting ready for college, he needs to step up his own effort to help you out. That's part of being in a relationship. If he's not willing to help you out when you need it, you might want to reconsider this relationship.



As for your school trip - have you spoken with your teacher? They can't make a trip a requirement if there is a possiblity that their students can't afford the trip. This is a solution best solved by talking to the teacher. You can email them if you don't have the time, or give them a call and set up a meeting. Let them know what's going on - the teacher/school might be able to help you fund the trip.



For college - it's not as bad as you think. I have my bachelors and am currently working on my masters (full time). Have you looked into scholarship possiblities? Some universities automatically give you scholarships based on your GPA (grade point average) and the extracurriculars you are involved with on campus. There are also "hidden" scholarships that you don't hear about during your first year - these are departmental scholarships, only offered to people within your department (your major). You can apply to dozens of scholarships to help cover tuition, and, check with your school about work-study. From the context of your paragraphs I'm going to guess you're European, so I don't know if work-study is available for you, but it couldn't hurt to ask.

Work-study is a part-time job in exchange for pay (usually minimum wage) and the government provides a portion of your tuition (for FREE). You work a max of 20 hours per week.



Outside of that, there are dozens of way to save cash while you're in school. Of course, cut down on name-brand stuff, but one BIG thing you can do is order your textbooks online! Amazon.com and Half.com are AWESOME places to buy books - as well as Facebook Martketplace, Craigslist.com, and even billboards around campus. You might also qualify for grants, depending on your family's income and whether or not you are a dependent.



There are also plenty of advisors and people on campus who can help you manage your finances (and find scholarships/grants/work that isn't widely known) to make things less scary.



It is surprisingly easy to manage paying back your student loans. For me, I don't know if it's the same for your country, there are dozens of options to pay - you can have payments based on your income (called "income-contingent"), you can pay the standard rate, a low rate, a higher rate, you can apply for forbearance on your loans should you be unable to pay for a certain amount of time or you choose to go back to school. The forbearance means you won't have to pay until an agreed upon date with your lender (interest will still accrue, but it's usually low depending on how you get the loan).



I have been able to pay back very well and I have a very low income (less than $25K).





....so, take a pause and breathe. It's not as terrifying as it seems (I've been through it once already!). Things may feel like they're piling on you, but when you're stressed out, things that don't normally bother you will feel like the weight of the world.

Here's something I encourage - take some "me" time. I know it seems damn near impossible, but if you schedule your time well, you can find at least half a day to relax. You need to have some relaxing time to keep yourself sane. There's no way around that. If you do a little extra work each day and get ahead, you can free up an afternoon to do things you enjoy. Or, if you don't want to work a little more to free up one day, just take 20 minutes a day and go for a walk in a scenic, private location. Grab your iPod if you have one. It sounds very cliche, and it is, but this saved me my first year of teaching.



You'll make it. Talk to your teacher hosting the class, talk to your boyfriend, and use the resources for your college to help find ways to finance your education. It's possible.
-
2010-02-17 19:22:17 UTC
You should explain your situation to Boyfriend, if he's not an a*rsehole he will understand, if he doesn't he's not worth it.



If you talk to your teacher or counsellor, you might be able to get an exemption from the trip, if not they might be able to give you some advice. If worst comes to the worst, you can get a short term loan and pay it back in the summer, or something.



As for the massive university loans, I don't really know how that works in the UK, I'm from Ireland, Em but I don't think you have to pay them back till you've finished University.



Sorry I couldn't be of more help. One thing that always helps me when I'm stressed out is to run, do some exercise, just always makes me feel better, not very helpful I know, sorry.
kilkenny
2016-09-25 03:43:19 UTC
I form of understand how she feels. Although my fiancee and I have not break up or something, the crisis now we have is the truth that he's twenty years older than I am and has been unemployed (he is been operating for three months now despite the fact that) My household may be in one other province, and his is close by means of, they desire me to have my marriage ceremony again residence, however I do not are living there and mother is utterly gambling the guilt shuttle on me. I am making plans my marriage ceremony given that it's going to be among me and my fiancee. Just like your pal. She won't fear approximately what different humans believe. She is not marrying the ones humans in any case, best her honey. I am anticipating among one hundred-one hundred thirty humans at my reception and that is commonly household. Suggest on your pal a medium sized marriage ceremony. Also humans preserve embarrassing main points as such quiet on this kind of day. It isn't the time nor situation. and if any person does carry it up, inform them to kindly go away. Hope this is helping
Katryne
2010-02-17 19:03:37 UTC
You sound like a bright girl. Go ahead and borrow! No choice now....you have to do what you to do and you can always join peace corps after your bach or get in teaching and a lot of employers help....especially if you work for federal. Try to find a 5 hour week job, try to see where you can cut expenses like for example, I used to buy a bottle of water every day and now I refill it in school for free which saves me 40 dollars a month. Just make sure you have the best grades in school so if you ever want to go to grad school, you can have assistanships and your degree could be financed. Good Luck and keep up the good work.
Aeon Chris
2010-02-17 19:00:35 UTC
I feel you. The most you can do is ask for donations from friends and tell them you'll pay them back or try to get scholarships. Speak to your professor or university and tell them your situation about your trip and your money issues.



I find it unfair for you to fail that class simply because you cannot afford the trip.


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