Studies or Work?

last SG · 2005-11-30T15:09:24+00:00

You're no longer that young a kid... Can't always depend on your parents for everything..? Sometimes you've just got to make certain DECISIONS for yourself s...

sharked SG

i'm in a dilemma right now...

I never was a great student, went poly, managed to get myself accepted by NUS. Course Should start next year aug. I have a passion for programming and wish to learn more in the Uni.

I just ORDed, now got myself a job as a contract programmer at a well established local company.

Mom's job is only bring home a few hundreds a month
Dad's job barely a thousand a month

Dad's though still working, he's actually down with colon cancer... stage 3, he refused chemo and any operations. It is just a matter of time now......

I have a 4 yo younger sister

I can pay for my own Sch fees, but what of my daily needs and bills?
Am i to work part time when i know i will not do well in my studies if i do so?
Should i just reject NUS now and start taking care of the family, giving up my hope and dreams?
Parents nvr pressured me to get gd results, i always pressure myself. I worked hard, even though knowing poly is the harder path to the Uni, i took it cos i like programming and believed i can make there, and i did.

Am i to give up Uni studies because of financial difficulties of the family?

It is late, going to sleep now,tomo gotta work. Hope to hear some sound advice/opinions from you friendly peepz. NITEZ~~

yourma SG

you CAN SIGN on with the SAF

hisoka SG

try going for the busary applications i think there are some on the nus weby.

on the other hand you can also get the interest free loan to tide you over the studies so that you can use the money intended for the studies towards the living expenses first

yourma SG

sounds like you're a really mature person. but you really need to set your priorities right. i advice you to start taking up jobs and rope in the help of your sister too. don't forget your mother and father too, keep them working. that will surely settle your daily needs and bills and wants.

glad that you hardwork paid off and you might be admitted to the university, but studying wouldnt do you good now because your hopes and dreams wouldnt make much of a differences anyway.

in addition, you have to think of the funeral. yes, someone's gotta pay for the old man when he dies, since you already conceded that it's a matter of time, you should really start preparing for it. and hey! if the old hardy survives, the entire family can take a day off from work and have fun at sentosa.

regards

sharked SG

my sis onli 4 years old.... >I< need to take care of her.... even though i dont really like her

wat m i doing here!!!! i should be sleeping!!! nitezzzzzzzzzzzz

ps: thanks

i'll reply more tomo

yourma SG

ar, my bad. got that wrong. read it "4 yo younger"

since you dont really like her, this is what you should do;

sharked SG

bah.... actually yourma made a point there..... i knew of this already... setting my priorities straight..... maybe its just my unwillingness to give my studies up that constantly set myself in this dilemma.... further more.............i was hoping for the chance in uni for boy-meets-gals.... haha sch is always the best place to find a gd gf haha
*dont hit me*

but oh well..... no money also cannot jio gals go out, lagi malu

StarPuppy SG

Maybe you could get financial assistance from the goverment...i am sure they would help...you are a bright student who is trying to become better...i am sure..they will help

I would say that...dun give up your studies so that you can support your family...if you give up your studies so as to care for them, when you are also hit( by some big incident like no money etc) whos gonna COVER YOU?

Your parents paid for you and bought you up..you think they will be happy if you quit your studies so as to support them? I suggest a talk with parents is needed

as for boy-gal r/s...no need to worry so much...girls who are sincere do not care about $$$...girls are not $$$-minded Very Happy

~+Cheers+~
StarPuppy

TehJarVu SG

hope you can get financial assistance or can work part time (eg give tuition) to see you through NUS. It’s a waste to give up the opportunity to go to NUS. Bite the bullet for a few years, at least you will not regret later that you didn’t go to the Uni. Paper is quite important in our society. After you come out to work, you can support your sister better. When you go to Uni, she will still be in K1 K2 and pri 1, expenses still not so high, so hope your family can manage some how.

FireIce SG

can go find ur MP to help u write letter to apply for scholarships or bursaries....

u can consider taking study loan from banks
pay back after u grad and start working (gonna be siong though)

sharked SG

my initial plans did involve taking up a nus tuition loan(covers 80% of the sch fees), and if the criterias are right the nus study loan for needy students (covers remaining 20% + 3600 per year allowance. If i take both loans, after grad i'll be paying $250+ per month for 10 years, tts not including the loan interest.

with the 3600 per year allowance i have about 300 per month.... wa like that transport food already half gone, my own phone/internet bills, monthly insurance payment........ i'll still need to take part time to earn enuff to just survive.... can say good bye to any possible leisure at all, forget about getting a new phone, forget about upgrading pc, forget about the laptop, forget about going ktv with frens........ *sob* the phantom i've been dreaming of for two years gone......

more importantly i wont be bringing home any money, if dad still ard we may still cope, if he's gone within a year..... utilities bill also need to settle...........

wa like that must sell backside liao Crying or Very sad

so if i go on study, i suffer my family suffer, after grad still need to deal with loans
If i start work now, i reduce myself to the man with no dreams no ambitions... and possibly no love(i noe i noe... sound like i desperate for love), can forever only fantasise about the high life i wanna live. But I'll have the money to enjoy the small things in life

weighing the two... starting work now seem better............
haih... ppl ORD damn happy, i ORD like go to jail.......

binZ SG

It is good that you have check out the possible loans available etc. And u are clearly aware of ur problems.. If i am not wrong, u should be 22 or 23 bah.

Although the current situation is unfornate for u, My advise to you is that you weight ur priority first.

1. Study
2. Work
3. Family
4. Leisure.

which one matters to u most? and which one can u afford to give up now?

Leisure
Its something u cannot afford right now.. so tat is definately not an issue now.. ..

u have time ahead of u.. All these can come later in life.. although u might enjoy life a bit later than ur mates, tat is..

Study
i understand u got ur own dreams, desires etc.. everyone have dreams of a high life, pretty gf, etc.. But unfortunately for u, all these will come at a cost.. to urself.. ur family tat is..

As u calculated earlier, no matter what loan u take, end of the day, u be owing a whole lot of money.

I believe ur parents should have money woes by now.. is it necessary to add on to it?

If you really have the interest to study.. u can always work for a few years first.. save enough money.. then go study..

or else..a scholarship is the only way for u to be able to study, give a bit of money to ur family etc.

In the event u cant get a scholarship.. well i suggest u start working first..

Family.
Your family is not well off. Ur sis is only a 4 yr old kid. Since ur dad might not be around much longer, i think as his child, or only son, u should try to make life more comfortable for him before he leaves.. As you say, tis time might not be long to come, and he have slogged all his life for the family. I think he deserve something better than to work until his last days?

Another consideration is that how ur mum and dad really feel about the situation? And how is ur mum going to cope in the future? Ur whole family is under tremenous stress.. it is better not to add on to it.. im sure that u probably feel the same stress, but someone must be strong to lead the family through this.

But u know the problems, in ur heart, u should know what to give up.. what to do first..

Life is a long path.. as long as u live.. there are a lot of things u can do, strive for, work towards to.. cheer up~

rdgs~
bin~

..

stellazio SG

nah i think you should get the degree first,cause if its uni from poly its only gonna take 2 years right?get it and leave the place and start working.. Laughing

no_1_idiot SG

Crying or Very sad

TehJarVu SG

If i start work now, i reduce myself to the man with no dreams no ambitions... and possibly no love(i noe i noe... sound like i desperate for love), can forever only fantasise about the high life i wanna live.

this is long term

[quote]
But I'll have the money to enjoy the small things in life
this is short term

=> i would really encourage you to just bite the bullet for 2, 3 years (if it's only 2 years like stellazio said, then all the more you should do it) and go get the degree from NUS first.

browniebaobao SG

i would advise u not to give up ur studies. u might regret it in future, or start blaming it on ur home financial difficulties tat u can't study uni..

try to give tuition, or work part time.. i think it can't be helped, given the current financial situation of ur family.

seek financial assistance. I have frens whose situation is far worse than yours, but they still made it. So can you~

All the best~!

sharked SG

argh.........

headache.........................................

i'll stick to the short term enjoyments.... if i start work now, i may still be able to achieve the life i want, whereas if i go study, i'll be in debt and may nvr earn/save much money bcos of the debts. furthermore, after four years of full time work, i can still apply with nus as a mature applicant. Or if just for the sake of getting a degree, i can save and go SIM or somewhere

PS: i want to clarify that i'm not a filial son good boy and i am very materialistic and i nvr was on good terms with my parents...theres a long story behind this, but may not be appropriate to post here, for my own honour

hisoka SG

i'll just add that after you grad technically you shouldl be earning more so the repayment may nto be as much of an issue as being calculated presently.

cavinkoh SG

Sign on with SAF is a great idea! also find ways to mortage your home and use that money to refinance. Singapore also has a good stock market. You might also want to study and look into that to learn how to reinvest your money. if you have a hdb flat that you have paid off on. you might consider mortage or downgrade and invest your money in higher yield bonds. Even though in your situation, you can invest in high-risk high yield bonds or portfolio, from your writing style, it seems like you don't like to take risks.

I would suggest low risk bonds or funds that would give you a steady return until your financial situatation stablises with a more permanent job. then you can slowly diversify your portfolio or refinance your new downgraded home.

Another option is to downgrade your home and move into a cheaper HDB flat at lousier location. housing prices are down for now. you might get a good deal. Wait 5-6 years and when the market is up sell and then buy another one. This always helps, but its a long term investment plan.

To solve your short term finances, go for the low risk bonds or funds and mortgaging your home are some of the financial choices you can make. check out yahoo finance or www.fool.com or www.etrade.com are good websites that you can learn for free how to reinvest your money. To get fast and easy money, sign on to SAF and use the bonus to make these short term investments and then refinance your money when you are more confortable

BillyBong SG

Your circumstances are really difficult. Choosing your first love or your family.

I'd say under normal circumstances, it's a no-brainer.

Give up your place i uni and get your career going first. Once your sis is either working or financially sound, then re-consider your further studies.

And as i understand, if your dad is not going to be around, you still have your mom to look after. So devote some time to it.

Cheers mate.