Please vote AFTER reading below... Thanks guys.


Ok folks... if I've ever needed advice, this is the time. I am torn between two choices, and I'm not sure what to do. I can't ask my parents bc they are in Texas right now... but my Professor is telling me what he thinks, and I can't help but agree with him. Here's the run down.

I am supposed to Graduate this coming August 7th. That however requires me to finish this semester and then take 3 summer courses (not the two I'd originally planned on, because the Liberal Arts college wouldn't count one of my past courses). I have to take two upper level Spanish Courses and Philosophy. If I do that, I can graduate in the Summer. Problem is I wanted to devote all my time to the Spanish courses, and work more at work, not handle a third course and work.

Now that my professor is offering me a small job, I'd need even more time. The two courses would give me that time if taken alone, but then I'd be short one course.

Ultimately that means I'd have to go in the Fall 2004, and I'd graduate in December. Seems stupid for one course right? Well yeah, but then again, not really. You see I'm dying to take a GEOG 545 course this fall... in fact, I'm taking it no matters what I do. It's Synoptic Meteorology and I feel it's crucial I have the skills it offers. When I take it, I can, if I apply to the graduate school, count it toward Graduate Credit. Half the problem has been, how do I take this course AFTER I've graduated... can I do it? That's when my professor suggested I go this fall... and take the 545 course and push my Philosophy course off until the fall as well. Given 545 is an 5:50-7:30 course, I could work full time at the SCDOT & USC (with my professor) and just have to worry about the Philosophy.

The bad part of course is that I'd have to pay Tuition for two courses in the fall part time, not just the one. I guess in a way the cost will be the same... 3 Courses in the fall at 3 hours each (9 total hrs) + 1 Fall Course at 4 hours = A Certain amount. 2 Courses in the Summer at three hours each (6 total) + 2 Courses in the Fall at 7 hours total = Likely the same amount.

If I go in the fall it would also allow me A HELL of a lot more time to study for the GRE if I decide to pursue Graduate school the following Fall 2005. It would give me the Spring 2005 and Summer 2005 semesters off as well to work, study, relax, etc... before plunging back into Graduate School, and ultimately would only delay me from Graduating from Graduate School by a semester.

So as you can see... I'm slowly becoming more biased about pushing off till this fall.

The SCDOT was supposed to put me in a full time slot this fall... but it's almost April and I still haven't heard anything. If they started right now, the paper work MIGHT be through by then... but I haven't pushed it bc I wasn't sure about Graduate School and didn't want to look like a jerk for pushing for a job and then quitting. The temp slot pays less, but it's an easy job... and it's VERY flexible with my schedule... a full time permanent job would not be. Unfortunately if I don't have a full time job I still have to pay for Health Insurance... which isn't horrible, but it's a negative to the issue (but then again, I'll be working more so I'll be making more money).

I hope this explains my situation... and it's a big choice. I've made a poll out of these choices, and I really need your vote and input on this.

In some ways, after talking to my professor, I feel the Fall 2004 works best.

I'm even half tempted to take the Philosophy in the Summer, and the second Spanish in the Fall, where I'd have more work with it... but I'd also have 17 weeks to catch on, rather than 4.5 weeks in a summer course.

Thanks again guys.

John , you will be doing many things this summer. Maybe finishing your studies in the fall will end up better for you as you 'll have more time to study thoroughly and will be OK at both your works.
This is what I think.

I say it sounds like you are leaning towards the holding off one and I'd have to agree.
Do it the way you want, Don't settle.

I was thinking about it both ways... what do I have to loose?

I loose a semester... but then again, so what? It gives me more time to focus on the classes and do better in them, not struggle to work and make the money I HAVE to have coming in.

I don't know if I will go to Graduate School or not... in some ways I think I just want to work. But maybe this course this fall will let me see for sure, bc that course IS the JOB I will do forever.... so having those two semesters to think about it and prepare are wonderful... where as I'd need to start Spring 05 if I graduate this summer (just to look good).

Right now I think I'm leaning toward this fall. Hopefully my parents won't dissagree... but I think I need that slower pace for me. Several of my friends are also graduating this fall, so it might work out well for me. It'll only be part time anyway.

I don't think there's a great hurry to get out there John. I don't see pushing yourself this summer when you're this close. Enjoy your last days as a student.

Bell1 wrote:

I don't think there's a great hurry to get out there John. I don't see pushing yourself this summer when you're this close. Enjoy your last days as a student.

I have to agree with Bobs words here, your're in the "workworld" a long time, much harder to go back once you start making a decent paycheck,whats 4 or 5 months extra studies, anyway in the long run.

Thanks guys. I think so too... I love this major so much and I hate rushing through it in only a year.

This gives me a little more time to experience the major and the people I've gotten to know in it. Two of my good friends will be in that 545 course this fall.

Again thanks...

Just curious... who voted the Summer choice.

Kanaloa wrote:

Just curious... who voted the Summer choice.

It was me John, I voted that by accident.

I get confused when there are multiple choices and I freaked out. lol

really, I meant to vote the other way but hit the wrong one too soon before I read the whole post.

Feel free to hack the mysql database and change my vote. Call Bush, he probably will tell you it's ok. lol