Which did you find harder, uni or work?

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It just feels wrong to turn down work, when I spent so many years hustling for gigs and building a reputation as someone who would do work when asked. Old habits die hard.

I know you're right and I'm still trying to internalize the logic.

Probably a pretty apt analogy.

Yeah, initially was a need to get medical coverage, then it was a drive to provide for my kids the things that I never had growing up (safe place to live, plentiful school supplies and class fees, special exhibits at the museums, decent food, etc).
Yeah, now the student loans and second mortgage are wearing on my mind. I've always been debt-free and owing anything is intolerable... not to mention the cost of the interest.

Heh, yeah, I've been able to cook more again, which everyone in the family is happy about.

MissDorkness wrote:

So, I've been feeling stressed about not pulling in as much income as I did last year... I just feel like I'm slacking.
I've never worked this little before and I feel like I'm tempting fate or slacking off.
But, then I realize that it's totally mental and plenty of people only work one job, and I can be just like them.

Yeah, no need to feel guilty for working only one full time job. Remember at the moment my job is eight hours a week

Still I can sort of understand stressing about not working enough because I've been doing the same thing lately except my version of ?not working enough? is about an order of magnitude lower than yours. As you said many would consider one full time job to be a perfectly acceptable amount of work.

Trying to hoard work when you don't need to due to events in your past reminds me of famine victims who continue hoarding food even after they've regained a stable food supply. I think you've earned the right to an easier life.

Wasn't that what you were trying to get in the first place? I mean you were already able to support yourself before you got a degree so I figure that means you had the goal of supporting yourself more easily after you got a degree.

Any since you're no longer moonlighting there's this new thing you might want to check out called free time
But seriously not working during every waking moment does not make you a slacker. I should know because I'm an expert slacker.

Imposter syndrome? When in a low mood (though my mood improved as I wrote this post) I feel more like an imposter not at work but at life. Like a basement dwelling manchild (if only my Mum's house had a basement than I could complete the stereotype )

It's statistically likely that some of your coworkers have imposter syndrome. It harkens back to that age old question that everyone seems to ask between about 20 and 40 ?when will I start feeling like an adult? (that could be a good question for a thread sometime).

I'm surprised you didn't qualify for medicaid, not that I know the details of the American healthcare system but isn't it given to those on a low income?

I found college and graduate school much easier than working. A good uni is a really supportive environment for everyone, and you can tailor your curriculum and major to your strengths. There are accommodations for disabilities that are much easier to get implemented than in a workplace. I had an easier time making friends in college and grad school than any other time, as quirky people were valued. Other perks: much more flexible schedule than a typical job, if you're on campus you don't have to cook if you don't want / everything you need and all your friends are on campus too. My happiest times in my adult life were in school, I've struggled in the work world much more.

I love uni so much I am planning to stay as a professor. It's consistent, stable, keeps me engaged with others without having to do to many social things and I can major in a special interest area. I get a few accommodations from my university. I love online classes and would love to teach some online classes as well at some point in my life. I've taught a few classes in person and LOVE it. For me, uni is an ideal environment. I wouldn't trade it for anything. Some days it's a hassle and a headache, but it's still worth it.

I work in the same area as my study. Because I now live in a mining town, I enjoyed uni a lot more. Uni was relaxed with constant projects/assignments to do and things to keep your mind busy. Less rules, less people you 'had' to be around, and my uni was a pretty supportive environment. I reckon work is 'easier' but uni was more fun!