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Full Time Student and Job w/ Crohn's?

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Posted 1/8/2014 2:21 PM (GMT 0)
Just a little back story, I was diagnosed in Sept 2010 with Crohn's. I have had ups and downs since then. I'm now starting to have really intense cramps and have been having around 5-7 BMs a day. Also, I have a fairly large anal skin tag that doesn't bother me unless I'm flaring. Luckily, I haven't had a fistula or abscess in over 3 years since starting Humira (once a week) and azathioprine.

I am a Junior, full time student and am taking 5 classes this semester which is more than my Disability advisor recommended I take, but I really want to graduate by December 2015 and start my career in the start of 2016. I have classes 2 days a week so the other days I don't have to worry about sitting in class.

My family has been suggesting I work part time or full time along with being a student so I can get experience working and have some extra cash. Now, I don't have the need to work at this time. My parents support me and they have never suggested I go out and find a job while I am a student. I like the idea of having a job but I don't think I would be able to juggle it all successfully.

So my question is, Have any of you been a full time student and had a part time or full time job? How did it work out for you?
Posted 1/8/2014 5:45 PM (GMT 0)
Being a full time student, along with crohn's is full time enough. I worked almost full time in university & was a full time student. I don't have Crohn's and I barely remember that time at all except for always needing sleep. I frankly don't know how I did it.

That being said, there is a case for having something on your resume, and some cash would always help. Maybe look into a part time internship that would get some experience, but something not too strenuous. If you are looking for just some cash, pick something that you wouldn't be upset with yourself if you walk away. Only you know if you can juggle it all. If there isn't a really compelling case to do it all, then don't do it. You need to balance your stress level for short term & long term.
Posted 1/8/2014 6:35 PM (GMT 0)
I was in college 20 years ago with Crohns and a part-time job. I was a full-time student, lived on campus or near campus, usually taking 15-17 hours/semester. However, I did spread my classes over all 5 days Mon-Fri. One of my courses was usually a 3-hour, once per week night class which reduced the number of different classes I had to attend during the day.

Starting my sophomore year, I worked part time on-campus at the school's "Learning Center", working as a math tutor. I think this was only 10-15 hours a week, and I do believe it helped me when interviewing with fulltime jobs.

From a Crohn's standpoint, it worked out for me fine. I made sure my schedule allowed for bathroom breaks or if I had an urge during the middle of a class, I just got up and went.

I can also say that currently being in a position where I occassionally interview and hire college students, those students that do something other than 15 hours of class while in college tend to get more offers than those who have classroom-only experience. The something does not have to be a job, but could include other campus and volunteer activities.

What do you do your other 3 days (or other 5 days)?
Posted 1/8/2014 9:35 PM (GMT 0)
Thanks for your responses!
@clonehead:
On Monday and Friday, I spend all of the school day (9am-3pm) at the local elementary school doing hours for my classes and just getting experience in the field. I observe the students, help them on assignments, help the teacher with assignments, do case studies, etc. I am studying to be an elementary school teacher. I don't get paid for those hours.

The other 3 days ( Saturday, Sunday and Wednesday) are spent either doing homework, studying, doing group work or just relaxing.

So any job I would get, would have to revolve around my classes and my hours at the elementary school.
Posted 1/9/2014 1:01 AM (GMT 0)
Hi, I was a part time student and had a full time job in the field I was studying.  Also during high school I worked part time and went to school full time. Whatever you choose, you can do it!
Posted 1/9/2014 2:23 AM (GMT 0)
Hi Lovely,
Nice to hear from you again. I think that since you are doing student teaching along with your school work that adding a job on top of that would be a little overwhelming, especially because it sounds like you don't have to do it for the money. It's great to hear that you are doing well, but I think you should take it easy and enjoy feeling stable and healthy
Posted 1/9/2014 2:52 AM (GMT 0)
I was a full time student and worked part time throughout college, I was diagnosed with CD just before my sophomore year began. I was very sick during my first two years and looking back am amazed that I was able to go to school and work and deal with crohn's. I had to work out of necessity, but I think life would have been much less stressful if I had only dealt with my classes and anything related to them. Your schedule seems pretty full and you are getting valuable experience by working at the school so I don't know if I would rock the boat and add anything else.
Posted 1/14/2014 11:55 PM (GMT 0)
While in community college full time I worked part time - classes during the day and work at night. Then for my bachelor's degree I was a full time student with classes at night 4 days a week and worked 30 hours a week as a teacher assistant in an elementary school during the day. My CD was not real active at the time so I did fine.

I think it depends on your stress level and the CD, plus what kind of job it is. Looking at life now, if I went back to school for my master's I would probably die juggling a full time 40 hours a week job and school, plus my husband and daughter. I was single before while in school. I can tell more now than years ago that my stress level plays a big role in my CD flares.

You can always try it and stop work if it's too much. Good luck in school!
Posted 1/15/2014 3:58 PM (GMT 0)
It could be a positive experience just make sure it goes with your schedule where you can eat properly and still get plenty of rest everyday and is not high stress--if you start noticing it is too much or start flaring be prepared without feeling guilty to give it up--It is better to give it a try then wonder in my opinion--
Posted 1/15/2014 4:13 PM (GMT 0)

Lovely985 said...
Thanks for your responses!
@clonehead:
On Monday and Friday, I spend all of the school day (9am-3pm) at the local elementary school doing hours for my classes and just getting experience in the field. I observe the students, help them on assignments, help the teacher with assignments, do case studies, etc. I am studying to be an elementary school teacher. I don't get paid for those hours.

The other 3 days ( Saturday, Sunday and Wednesday) are spent either doing homework, studying, doing group work or just relaxing.

So any job I would get, would have to revolve around my classes and my hours at the elementary school.

Well, that is certainly something more than 15 hours of class! Why does your family think you need a job in addition to that?

Some people may not realize or may not remember that "15 hours of class" is not the same as a "15-hour work week" for those working. 15 hours of class includes extra hours for study time. Depending on the classes being taken, study time can be anywhere from 1x to 3x the hours in class. 15-45 hours of study time in addition 15 hours of class is a 30-60 hour week. As you noted, you are already spending 12 hours each week at the elementary school.

Do you feel that you have a lot of down time?

Are you interested in having a part-time job in addition to your school and elementary school activities?

When you start your career in 2016, is it rare or is it common for other teaching students to have a part-time job on top of their other responsibilities? In other words, what kind of resume/background will your competition have?

Posted 1/15/2014 4:17 PM (GMT 0)
I was diagnosed my sophomore year and I was already working at least 30 hours a week. I didnt have a choice but to continue to do that and still took 16-18 credits a semester. It was hard not going to lie but you cant let the disease control your life. Mine never went into remission so it was quite a tough few years but once its over you will feel good about it. It took my 4 1/2 years to graduate and my grades could have been a little better, but I still got a good job outside of college which I contribute to both my education and work experience. If you have the choice not to work I would take that up if your symptoms are really bad, but it will look better to work if you can!

Good luck!
Posted 1/17/2014 7:12 AM (GMT 0)
You have the rest of your life to work after school, when you will hopefully be making more money. you should enjoy your stress free time while you still can. Or just try the job and if it gets stressful at all just quit. Stress and little sleep can really mess with crohns..
Posted 1/18/2014 1:27 PM (GMT 0)
Hi Lovely,
I'm currently having a full time job and I'm a full-time PhD student. Being a full-time college teacher does not allow me to study. Lately, I keep having both Crohn's and GERD flare ups. I'm not demotivating you. But my piece of advice would be if this part-time job is less stressful and does dot affect your health, go on. If you feel that this might have an impact on your health, then postpone it till you graduate. Though out of experience, when you are still young, work as much as your health allows you to gain experience. I did that but it seems I overworked myself though I only suffered then from GERD. Now, in my thirties I can hardly work and study but I have no other option.
Good luck :)
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