Is it wrong to go to school and not work at the same time?

I've been struggling with this for a while…because of my life situation, I don't need a job (right now) to live comfortably during the school year. I'm afraid that my studies and my mental health will suffer if I try to work for anything other than freelance/commission that's on my schedule during the fall and spring semester. Summers are a different story, but I still struggle figuring out how to get work during the summer as well since I'm frequently out of town.

But what I'm struggling with is does it make me a lazy or irresponsible person to not work while I'm in school. I'm ashamed to admit that I didn't really work during my break between my masters and doctorate either…I was stupidly trying to find something in my field and didn't just go for minimum wage jobs etc.

But people around me are convinced that I'll always be dependent on people because I don't work while I'm in school. Maybe I could have gotten away with working during my undergrad. But my work in my masters would have greatly suffered had I had a regular off-campus job not related to my field. And there's no way I could handle the workload of a doctorate with a job beyond freelance sort of things where I set my own schedule.

But I feel like a horrible immoral person and I should be ashamed. I feel like I need to prove that I'm worth something by having a paycheck because I don't think I am otherwise.

SUMMARY: If you can afford to go to school and not work, is it wrong to not have a job while in school?

Hello I am the End

I always say - one needs to assess what is in one's best interest; with regards to mental health; at any given point in time.

It sounds to me as if you are quite apprehensive right now.

And look we go through phases in life where we do have to reflect on prospective activities we could be doing and whether or not we should be doing them at all.

I think that you are your own best judge here.

I think right now this is something you are thinking quite a bit about; or at least; giving some serious thought to.

I'd say - do a serious Plus and Minus on this one.

Only you can answer this as positively as possible.

What are the positives of you finding employment right now.

What are the negatives.

No I don't think there's any "right" or "wrong" here.

It's about doing what is best for you.

I hope that you are able to come to a decision that suits you well.

Many, many, many, many, many, many, MANY people don't work while in school.

I was in a demanding grad program and VERY few people were able to hold down a job while in school.

Not working while in school really is no big thing. Seriously.

Nope. Focus all your energy and derive maximum benefit from your schoolwork.

I have an 18 year old finishing his first year of college, and to me, school is his work. Once he finishes college he will most likely have to work the rest of his life. Why take on those burdens now, if he doesn't have to? I would like him to work this summer for pay, but if he doesn't that is okay, but I have demanded he have a work commitment, (~20hours) volunteer or pay, before he comes home for the summer.

Could be good or bad. If you get really good grades (All A's) you'll be fine from what I've seen. If you get C's then you'll prob need to work to get a foothold. Again only based on my experience from seeing everyone else at college.

I heard that same sort of thing when I was in college. It's like some people think doing a graduate degree isn't work - they probably have no idea how many hours you put in.

When I was in college, sometimes I'd get the opportunity to teach a lab or a weekly class study session or even grade papers. It wasn't many hours and it didn't pay much at all, but it was kind of nice to do, and it made my parents feel a little better.

To answer your question, though, no, I absolutely don't think it's wrong not to have a job while in school.

I guess my main issue is proving that I can provide for myself financially because it looks like I can't.

And there aren't opportunities to grade or teach in my program unless you're a graduate assistant. I'm not…probably because I wanted to go to that school and they didn't have to bribe me from going to another school. Or maybe I don't have adequate life skills (that was part of the reason my partner didn't get one). So I don't get any experience (and therefore don't get paid) doing those sort of things.

If I could figure out steady employment in the Summer, that would be great. But as it is, other obligations take me out of town about one week per month so I don't know how to work around that. I found one job that would work but I can't figure out how to fill out their application without it making me look bad or useless.

You could fill the application out honestly and see what happens ... doesn't make you a bad person ... just truthful.

It is not wrong but it may affect your studies.