How to Balance School and Work

Starting college is hard. Starting college while working a job is harder. Prioritizing can be complicated—if you don’t work, you can’t afford to go to school, and if you don’t get good grades, you could lose your chance of earning a degree. The good news is that, while balancing work and college is hard, it’s not impossible. Use the following tips to make it through with your grades, your income, and your sanity intact.

Step 1: Get a planning tool. 

Start by creating a weekly schedule for yourself. There are plenty of free online planner apps that you can use to keep track of your classes, work schedule, and assignment due dates.

One popular option is MyStudyLife, a cross-platform day planner designed for students. It’s free on iOS and Android, has an extension for Chrome, and allows you to access your content offline. It even lets you set up to-do lists and sends you reminders so you don’t miss any deadlines.

If you don’t want to use a new app, that’s fine too—Google Calendar is free and, because it uses your Google account, you can access it on your school’s computers if you don’t have one of your own. You can also use an old-fashioned paper day planner if that’s more your style.

Step 2: Plan your day, week, and semester.  

A planner won’t do you any good if you don’t use it, so set up your schedule as soon as you have it. Fill in your class schedule all the way through the semester and add in your work hours as soon as you have them. Then schedule some time for homework. If you can, try to allow some extra time in case an assignment takes you longer than you’d planned.

Make sure you block in 8 and a half hours of sleep every night. Try not to compromise on this any more than you have to. A lack of sleep can weaken your immune system, causing you to get sick more easily, which obviously leads to missed classes and sick days at work.

Step 3: Reduce stress.  

Stress is normal when you’re balancing work and school, but it also makes you less effective in both settings. Think about what relaxes you and takes your mind off of things. It doesn’t have to take a lot of time or even cost anything. You can try:

  • Meditation (There are lots of free meditation apps and YouTube videos out there.)
  • Breathing exercises
  • Walking around the block
  • Adult coloring pages (Seriously, Google “free adult coloring printouts” and you’ll find more than you could ever color)

Make sure that exercise is a part of your routine, too. It’s proven to help manage stress, and it releases endorphins that make you feel happy. If you’ve had a hard shift at work or are struggling to finish a paper, taking time to play basketball with friends or go for a run in the park can give you the boost you need to get the job done. 

Talk to your Fulfillment Fund Las Vegas advisor if you need help planning your schedule or finding a school. We are here to help you succeed in higher education and life. 

What to do After High School

Taking the next step after high school can be stressful. There are plenty of options to choose from, but they all depend on what career path you want to take. You might decide to start work, join the military, or further your education. 

All of these are valid choices, so be sure to take time to think about which one is right for you. If you’re thinking about continuing school, you probably have a lot of questions. Where will you go to school? How will you pay for it? What will you study?

Before making these decisions, it helps to know what higher education options exist. Here is some information about the three most popular education options following high school. 

Trade School

Trade school programs offer more technical programs that give students career skills. Many of them give students certifications to show employers that the student in question has the right skills to perform a particular kind of work. This is why vocational programs tend to focus on a specific field or job. The time commitment required depends on the program you choose, and can range from just a few months up to two years. Some can lead to internships or apprenticeships for continued work-based learning opportunities.

Students who like hands-on learning might do well in trade school programs focusing on web design, medical assistance, or maintenance and repair. Instructors are often workers or experts in their fields. This allows them to provide their students with the industry-specific knowledge they need to thrive in their chosen industries.

Community College

This is a popular option for many students because classes at community colleges tend to be very affordable. Programs are typically meant to last two years for associate’s degrees, and one to two years for technical certifications.  

Community colleges offer resources to help you get the most out of your education. Most offer tutoring, workshops, and other training opportunities to help you transition into adult life and higher education. Finishing a community college program can jumpstart a great career or serve as an intro to a four-year program. It all depends on the career you choose.

University (Private vs Public)

Going to a college or university for a bachelor’s degree is the final option to consider as you make your decision for education beyond high school. These programs are usually full time and last four years. Each university will offer a wide range of programs that can help you enter into the career field of your choice. Some popular options include: business, healthcare professions, psychology, engineering, and education.

With a four-year degree, you’ll be looking at either a private or public option. Public schools are usually larger but affordable, provided you stay in your home state. Private schools can be large or small, but they are typically very expensive. 

There are a lot of ways to continue your education after high school, and Fulfillment Fund Las Vegas is here to help you make a choice you are happy with. Let us know if we can help. 

How to Apply to College

Before applying to college, you need to have a few documents in order. Colleges don’t know who you are yet, so they ask for these documents in order to understand you better. If you get these papers together, you’ll be well on your way to applying to college.

Here are the three main documents colleges ask for when you apply:

1. High School Transcript

A high school transcript will show a college how you performed academically in high school. The colleges you apply to will consider your high school grades when processing your application.

You can request your high school transcript by contacting your high school office by phone or email. Some high schools also offer an online service where you can request your transcript, or even ask that they to send it to a college you’re applying to.

You may also want to request your midyear grade report, especially if your recent grades are higher.

2. SAT or ACT Scores

Most colleges require applicants to take a test and report their scores. The most common ones are the SAT and ACT, which are standardized tests used for college admissions. In Nevada, all high school students are required to take the ACT.

Taking the ACT requires a registration fee and is held at designated locations. You can register at the ACT website and also request notifications by email or text about deadlines.

The easiest way to send your scores to a college is to log in to your ACT account and click on “Send Your Scores.” Search for the appropriate college and send the scores electronically.

3. Letters of Recommendation

Colleges frequently ask for letters of recommendation. These are letters written by others who think highly of you. It may be scary, but there’s only one way to get letters of recommendation: you have to ask people.

Start by writing a list of teachers, coaches, counselors, mentors, and bosses who would be willing to write a letter about you. Once you have a list, reach out to them. Explain that you’re applying to college and you would be grateful if they wrote a letter of recommendation.

There are a few ways to submit letters of recommendation, but a simple way is to check your college’s website. They commonly have a section where visitors can upload a letter of recommendation electronically or send one in by email. This responsibility is usually left to whoever is writing the letter of recommendation.

Don’t Give Up

Getting ready for college can be challenging, but don’t give up. Everyone has the potential to get accepted. And while the road may be difficult, the reward of a college degree will be worth it.

Are you ready to apply to college?

How to Find Nevada Scholarships

If you’re a Nevada resident thinking about heading off to college, you’re in luck. Even though the average student loan debt nationwide is $29,800, graduates of Nevada colleges have some of the lowest loan balances in the nation.

This just doesn’t happen. College is expensive, and students in the Silver State need to find creative ways to cover those costs. These might include financial aid (which you have to repay), work-study programs, grants, or scholarships.

Ideally, you’ll look for solutions that won’t leave you with any debt once you graduate. Here are some tips for finding scholarships in Nevada.

What’s the Difference Between Grants and Nevada Scholarships?

One thing that grants and scholarships have in common is that both are gifts or free aid. This means that they don’t have to be repaid.

Grants are generally awarded based on financial need. An example of this is the Pell Grant for low-income students. These types of need-based grants are awarded at the federal, state, and college level.

Most scholarships are awarded based on merit, although some do have a need-based component. In other words, there are some private scholarships that will give awards based on whether a student is from a low-income family, or if they are a first-generation college student.

 

What Types of Scholarships are Available?

 

There are many different types of scholarships. The merit-based ones will be awarded to students that exceed certain standards in academics, sports, or other interests.

Scholarship award amounts can vary from $1,000 up to thousands each year. And you can apply for as many of these programs as you wish in order to accumulate enough awards to pay for your tuition, fees, books, and other expenses.

Scholarship opportunities are available based on certain interests, talents, or traits. Some are geared toward particular groups of people: military families, children of an employee, women, future educators, graduate students—even tall people.

 

How to Find Scholarships in Nevada

 

Students in Nevada should begin their search for scholarships at the local level. These are typically less competitive and focus on students that attend school in Nevada. Some are even limited to the Las Vegas area.

You can learn about scholarships by speaking with your school’s college advisor, a Fulfillment Fund Las Vegas advisor if you are at an eligible high school, the financial aid office at the college you plan to attend, your local library, or online. Some of the free resources that have information about scholarships include:

 

Applying for Nevada Scholarships

 

Students should start applying for scholarships early. Many applications will be due in your senior year of high school, but some have open application dates, which are more flexible.

The requirements for these will vary. Read the qualifications list carefully and, if you meet the criteria, follow the instructions to the letter. You might be one of a handful of students that thoroughly completes the application and turns it in by the deadline.

Fulfillment Fund Las Vegas is focused on helping the students of Clark County see the possibilities of higher education. We provide classroom instruction as well as guide students through the steps to accessing a college education.

How to Apply for FAFSA

Wondering about FAFSA?

If you’re a student going to college for the first time, or the parent of a first-time college student, you may have a lot of questions about financial aid: What is FAFSA, exactly? How does it work? Below are the basics you need to know before classes start up.

What is FAFSA? 

The FAFSA is the Free Application for Federal Student Aid, a free form you can use to apply for financial aid for higher education in the United States. If you want to go to college, grad school, or vocational school but are worried about paying for it, FAFSA can help.

To receive aid, you must fill out FAFSA for every year you attend school. 

Who can apply for aid with FAFSA?

There are a few basic FAFSA requirements, but if you’ve been accepted to a certificate or degree program in the U.S., it’s likely that you’re eligible. To apply, you need to either be a U.S. citizen or “eligible noncitizen.”

You can apply without being a U.S. citizen in many cases. For example, if you’re a permanent resident or a refugee, there’s a good chance you’re eligible for FAFSA aid.

How much aid you can receive through the FAFSA?

These resources can help you see how much aid you might receive:

  • FinAid’s Quick EFC Calculator: This tool has you fill out a few details and tells you how much federal financial aid you’re likely to get. 
  • FAFSA4caster: A form that helps you estimate your FAFSA aid on the official website.

If federal aid isn’t enough, there are other need-based state programs in Nevada that can help cover additional costs. The FAFSA is part of the process for being considered for state aid as well. So if you are hoping to get any financial aid, then you should fill out FAFSA. 

Applying for FAFSA

To maximize the amount of aid you receive, you should file the FAFSA as soon as possible after it opens. Follow the guidelines below to make sure your application is processed quickly and accurately.

When does the FAFSA open?

The FAFSA opens on October 1st.

When is the FAFSA due?

The FAFSA site homepage gives information about state and federal aid deadlines.

The federal deadline for the 2020-21 school year is June 30, 2021.

The 2020-21 school year deadline for the Nevada Promise Scholarship, which awards need-based aid to community college students, is April 1, 2020. The Silver State Opportunity Grant, another need-based assistance program in Nevada, encourages students to file as soon as possible.

Make sure to check with any schools you’re considering attending to see what their individual deadlines are.

How do you apply for the FAFSA?

You can apply:

  1. Through the myStudentAid app for Android or iPhone.
  2. On the official FAFSA website.
  3. By calling the FAFSA helpline at 1-800-4-FED-AID (1-800-433-3243) or 334-523-2691 (1-800-730-8913 for TTY) and asking for a printed form to fill out and mail in.

If you have any other questions, you can dial the number above for assistance. FAFSA help is also available online through live chat or email. If you are at a school in Las Vegas with Fulfillment Fund Las Vegas, you can stop by and we can help you fill out your form correctly. 

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