Torn between full time/part time studies

[DerpBui]

Hi, I am going to be 29 soon with no savings in my account lol. Am currently working in the IT field with only a diploma earning close to 2.9k.

I am in a big dilemma in whether to pursue a full time degree (SIT ICT) or part time Computer Science in NTU. Both completion time is about the same. I got offered for both by the way.

If I were to take up the full time degree, I might be able

• Go for work and study programme in which my studies can be sponsored.
• Given monthly stipends
• Guaranteed full time position with the company I am applying
• Networking, CCA, tech competitions/workshops

If I were to take up part time degree, I will

• Gain experience while working
• Stable income
• Ahead of uni fresh grads in terms of experience.

However, if I take up part time especially in NTU, it is going to be tiring as hell as I need to travel there 3 times a week (I live in the east), while juggling between work and study. Afraid I might regret this decision and drop out halfway.

If I take up full time study, I will be able to focus better but I have to sacrifice 3-4 years worth of full time income and valuable experience. I still have to work part time and somehow scrape through but I can focus on getting FCH.

Any advice..? Thanks..

 

[snoozex]

Hi, I am going to be 29 soon with no savings in my account lol. Am currently working in the IT field with only a diploma earning close to 2.9k.

I am in a big dilemma in whether to pursue a full time degree (SIT ICT) or part time Computer Science in NTU. Both completion time is about the same. I got offered for both by the way.

If I were to take up the full time degree, I might be able

• Go for work and study programme in which my studies can be sponsored.
• Given monthly stipends
• Guaranteed full time position with the company I am applying
• Networking, CCA, tech competitions/workshops

If I were to take up part time degree, I will

• Gain experience while working
• Stable income
• Ahead of uni fresh grads in terms of experience.

However, if I take up part time especially in NTU, it is going to be tiring as hell as I need to travel there 3 times a week (I live in the east), while juggling between work and study. Afraid I might regret this decision and drop out halfway.

If I take up full time study, I will be able to focus better but I have to sacrifice 3-4 years worth of full time income and valuable experience. I still have to work part time and somehow scrape through but I can focus on getting FCH.

Any advice..? Thanks..

Hi,


To be frank, this is the question you probably have some ideas but you probably just want to hear more opinions. Rather than telling you what should opt for, I would rather ask you on the followings:


-----------



- if part time,


You probably hate the distance but I am more concerned with can you cope with 3 modules a semester? Chance is that if you are busy with work, you will compromise your grades as a result. Part time programmes have pretty high attrition rates and what if you are getting cGPA of 2, the motivation to continue will even be lower.... And are you sure that you can commit to studying during your free time?


- if full time,


Is there any exemption for you? Thought you can get up to 10 modules for prior studies and this will help you shorten up to 2 trimesters...



And you mentioned about a sponsorship company, so is this guaranteed for you? In theory, it looks nice as the "term in term out" design enables you to have best of both worlds but the question is how confident are you in securing this?



If this is out, this means you have to work part time... so have you started to plan for either Study and Work scheme or your part time jobs?



----------



Your case is that you already have some working experience so the fear of losing out in term of experiences should not weigh that much as compared to your ability to complete a program as well as securing a good honours.

 

[DerpBui]

Hi,


To be frank, this is the question you probably have some ideas but you probably just want to hear more opinions. Rather than telling you what should opt for, I would rather ask you on the followings:


-----------



- if part time,


You probably hate the distance but I am more concerned with can you cope with 3 modules a semester? Chance is that if you are busy with work, you will compromise your grades as a result. Part time programmes have pretty high attrition rates and what if you are getting cGPA of 2, the motivation to continue will even be lower.... And are you sure that you can commit to studying during your free time?


- if full time,


Is there any exemption for you? Thought you can get up to 10 modules for prior studies and this will help you shorten up to 2 trimesters...



And you mentioned about a sponsorship company, so is this guaranteed for you? In theory, it looks nice as the "term in term out" design enables you to have best of both worlds but the question is how confident are you in securing this?



If this is out, this means you have to work part time... so have you started to plan for either Study and Work scheme or your part time jobs?



----------



Your case is that you already have some working experience so the fear of losing out in term of experiences should not weigh that much as compared to your ability to complete a program as well as securing a good honours.

Thanks for the response. Yes more like I appreciate opinions on this. I can try to exempt all 10 of the first year mods, thus possible to go to year 2 right away. As for the work and study programme, it’s not guaranteed that I’m able to secure this but I’ll definitely do my best in the interviews.

Actually I only have a few months of working experience only, so that’s a consideration to think about as well.

Also I have no idea whether I am able to cope with my studies as well as working. I think in development projects, I’d have to frequently OT. Worst part is my financial responsibilities. Sigh. Am I ready to put all my responsibilities away for 3 years? I’m not too sure but at the same time i want to focus on getting the best possible results for my studies.

For part time work, I’d probably drive Grab/Gojek or do some freelancing.

 

[snoozex]

Thanks for the response. Yes more like I appreciate opinions on this. I can try to exempt all 10 of the first year mods, thus possible to go to year 2 right away. As for the work and study programme, it’s not guaranteed that I’m able to secure this but I’ll definitely do my best in the interviews.

Actually I only have a few months of working experience only, so that’s a consideration to think about as well.

Also I have no idea whether I am able to cope with my studies as well as working. I think in development projects, I’d have to frequently OT. Worst part is my financial responsibilities. Sigh. Am I ready to put all my responsibilities away for 3 years? I’m not too sure but at the same time i want to focus on getting the best possible results for my studies.

For part time work, I’d probably drive Grab/Gojek or do some freelancing.

Hi,


Based on your info, it would appear that full time might be a better choice if you want to do well in your degree. For financial matters, guess you would need to explore potential financial assistance from school or even your cc/rc (see can get any bursary or not).... as Uni is different from poly, more demanding... good luck!

 

[eniaCy]

Hello,

I'm currently working and studying part time. I also had a hard time deciding between studying full time or to work too.

In the end I decided to work first for few years and then enrolled myself into part time studies. I guess part of the reason was I did not want to lose that income that I'm used to. It will definitely be very tiring to manage both work and studies unless you are willing to burn off your weekday nights and weekends as well.

Thinking back, I would consider opting for full time studies so that I could concentrate on my studies. Unless you find it difficult to meet your financial needs, if not I would recommend studying full time - if you can exempt modules then at least it will not be that full 3 years

all the best!

 

[DerpBui]

Hi,


Based on your info, it would appear that full time might be a better choice if you want to do well in your degree. For financial matters, guess you would need to explore potential financial assistance from school or even your cc/rc (see can get any bursary or not).... as Uni is different from poly, more demanding... good luck!

Ok Thanks.. I have about a week more to decide anyways.

 

[DerpBui]

Hello,

I'm currently working and studying part time. I also had a hard time deciding between studying full time or to work too.

In the end I decided to work first for few years and then enrolled myself into part time studies. I guess part of the reason was I did not want to lose that income that I'm used to. It will definitely be very tiring to manage both work and studies unless you are willing to burn off your weekday nights and weekends as well.

Thinking back, I would consider opting for full time studies so that I could concentrate on my studies. Unless you find it difficult to meet your financial needs, if not I would recommend studying full time - if you can exempt modules then at least it will not be that full 3 years

all the best!

I feel your pain too hahaha. It's like you dont want to lose the comfortable income you have. However in the IT industry, I feel that experience counts more though. Just that I am not sure whether I'd be OT-ing a lot for my next project at work. Afraid it might clash with my studies too..

 

[eniaCy]

I feel your pain too hahaha. It's like you dont want to lose the comfortable income you have. However in the IT industry, I feel that experience counts more though. Just that I am not sure whether I'd be OT-ing a lot for my next project at work. Afraid it might clash with my studies too..

Good to also check if your current company is supportive of you studying and working (might have to take leaves for exams, going off on time for days you have classes). Believe me, after a long day of work - going to school at night and then returning back to work the next day is really.... this is one point you really need to consider though.

if you think you can balance both of them, then you can take up the challenge. Of course, if "touch wood" anything happen, you can still consider part time studies + part time work.

I can see that you are more keen towards the part time studies

 

[Parade]

Hi,

If I'm in your shoe, I will opt for the part-time NTU computer science.

Reasons being, I'm reluctant to lose the comfortable salary especially when I'm close to 30.

With that said, being in the IT field, constant upgrading is needed hence studying part-time serve as an opportunity to expand my skills and network with working adults from the same industry.

However, there are of course cons which you need to mitigate. Just tell yourself to pull through this few years, after all both route will not be easy at least studying part time you don't have to worry about income.

 

[Wonderstruck]

After reading your dilemma and others response, I think that the part time option is more suitable, although it will be really tiring for you. The 3-4 years of full time income was my biggest consideration.

 

[sweetlife20]

How about considering doing PT job?

I always think that last thing we would ever want is to come out of University with a house of debt and out of the world nil experience.