College. Sigh. It’s unlike any other time in your life. It has its own set of rules, its own unique circumstances. And it’s not always easy to navigate. Everyone needs a little guidance now and then (or always) so we’ve pulled together a variety of perspectives (the does-it-all girl, the party girl and Ms. Study Lounge) to weigh in on your life conundrums and give you the best advice we can.

Every week they’ll be tackling your questions about college. From classes to keggers to keggers before classes, they’ll do their best to respond and be your Pez dispenser of collegiate wisdom. Got questions? Unsure of a decision? Need to branch out? Just wanna chat it up with some really awesome chics?

Hit them up in the comments or shoot them an email with the subject “College Q&A”!

Question:
So, I don’t know if you’ll know the answer to this but I’m trying to figure out my plans for the rest of the semester and I’m not sure which will look better on my resume: getting really involved in a student organization or getting a job. I have no idea what I really want to do in my future yet, so it’s not like either of them would apply much to what I end up doing, so I don’t know if it’s more important to get involved in one or the other. Any thoughts?

GPA Girl:
It seems as if either one could be a good option, but I’d lean toward “job,” and here’s why. When you finally do get around to figuring out what you want to do and applying for full-time jobs after college, your prospective employers will look to your previous work experience and references to judge how you’re going to act in their companies. They might look at extracurriculars as well–in fact, I’m sure they probably will–but I personally don’t think they hold quite the same weight. Even if you become a leader in an extracurricular activity, there’s not really anybody there monitoring your progress, paying attention to when you show up, and evaluating the work you do according to rigorous standards. In short, nobody’s paying you to do it and there’s no one there who can prove how good you did it. A job will provide you with verifiable references and experience that you will be able to use in the future, no matter what career path you choose.

Also, I’m sure our resident Busy Bee will suggest this, but why not get involved with both activities? You may not be able to devote quite as much time as you like to the student org, but it could be really enriching and rewarding for you to do both things and enjoy both experiences. (Plus, it will prove your ability to multi-task and handle multiple responsibilities, which looks pretty great on a resume.)

Party Girl:
Having held down a full-time job with 18 credit hours for five semesters, I can tell you that the job will look way better on your resume, regardless of what you’re studying. Employers love the fact that you can handle so much responsibility at such a relatively young age. It shows that you’re ready to enter the work force as a competent and fully capable adult. And, focusing more on the now, having a job means making serious money. Having serious money means financial freedom from your parents. No longer will you have to beg for money for that new dress that you’ve been craving or that fifth of tequila which is absolutely necessary to celebrate…well, anything. Plus, if you’re working anywhere near campus, chances are you’ll be among fellow students, and who couldn’t use a couple more friends? Trust me, once you get your first paycheck, you won’t regret this decision.

Busy Bee:
Oooh, this is a toughie. It depends on which student organization and which job you want to get. Just keep in mind that even though you don’t know what you want to do with your future just yet, you still need to be involved with something that has meaning to you.

Work wise, don’t just grab a job a Burger King if you have no interest in food or the restaurant business. If you decide to get a job and you want it to look good on that resume, it needs to have some relevancy to your interests, hobbies, and passions. Let’s say you love animals – then try getting a job at a pet store or a local vet’s office. This will show future employers that you have strong passions and good focus. It will sound better to say, “I got a job at this pet store because I own 2 dogs and 3 fish and I love knowing that I can help others with my knowledge on animal care taking!” than to say, “I work at this fast food restaurant because I want money and I don’t know what else to do…” This goes for student orgs, too; don’t join something just because your friends are in it. Make sure to have some sort of justification for your membership to the club! Since you’re not getting paid for your time you have to spend it wisely, i.e. in the way that will most benefit you down the line.

When making your decision ask yourself this: Do you think that you will benefit more from joining this club and volunteering your time, or from working mandatory part-time hours getting paid? Whichever you choose, just know that you NEED to make the most of your experience. People don’t necessarily care about where or what it is that you have done, but rather, how you went about it and how you allowed yourself to benefit from it. Explore all possible options!

Studying on the beach? HELL NO.

WOAH. Stop right there. Hooooold up. Wait a minute. Don’t go there cuz I ain’t wit’ it.

I can’t believe my ears.

I just heard the worst idea in the history of idea-making and I swear I am not overreacting.

A US Senator, Lamar Alexander (yes, please send him nasty letters and kick him on the street), stated in a recent Newsweek Article that “an educational schedule of 3 months of summer is not relevant in today’s world and [college] students should take more credit hours and graduate in 3 years, saving 25% in tuition costs.”

I have so many problems with this one sentence I don’t even know where to begin.

I guess I should start with deep breathing into a brown paper bag. And eating a brownie.

Ok, now that I’m somewhat composed let’s start with Mr. Alexander’s cost argument. It’s an obvious fact that our parents, our own bank accounts, and out future selves for the next 15 years, are being raped of any and all money we make or will make to pay for college. But in the grand scheme of things, how much less of a burden is it to pay $120,000 versus $160,000?

Either way, the financial aspect of college has all of us students spurting premature wrinkles, and I’d rather spend one more year of my life tailgating, eating diner food at 4 am, and partying the night away before I have to face the fat, red negative number in my bank account.

Plus, doesn’t this guy realize that just because you cram 4 years of work into 3 doesn’t necessarily mean you will pay less? Summer classes are an extra cost outside of your tuition, and the majority of schools charge per class, so this will not save the student any money. Not to mention that some colleges even charge students for each credit they take above a certain number during a semester.

Alexander argument: denied.

And then there’s the stress. Does Senator Lamar wants us to freakin’ die?! Five classes is a full course load. Many of us have taken six; the really ambitious (or really unfortunate) have taken seven. It is physically impossible to take this many classes, 6 semesters in a row, without a break. Is this his secret attempt to kill off all the students before they hit the job market to lessen the competition and save his own ass?

And, dear Lamar, when do you expect students to work to earn the money they need to pay tuition? And what about the ever-important college internships? In this competitive market getting experience through a summer internship is vital to securing a job post graduation. How are we supposed to fit that in with the 27 credits we’ll all be forced to take each semester?!

Bottom line: our lives are already way over-packed. We are stressed out, burnt out, running all over the place, and sometimes the only thing that keeps us sane is that 3 month break from classes looming in the future.

I’m glad this guy got to go to school and balance his internships, classes, and fun without having to have people stress him out by threatening to cut out his summer vacation. Perhaps he should stop being an ass and let us have our college glory. Four years already goes fast enough

What do you guys think? Is this man off his rocker?!

Some people are fortunate enough to have everything covered, but those college students who are on their own are forced to seek employment on or around campus. Usually for minimum wage.

I watched many friends as they sat in class all morning, in the library all afternoon and at their crappy work-study jobs all night, every night. They missed out on bonding time, parties and even student groups on campus, and still barely had enough money to get by. I know that college is all about learning, but it sucks to miss out on the rest of college life. There is a lot to be learned outside the classroom (like your drinking limit!).

But what if there were a better option? What if someone could make enough money to get by without sitting at the check-out desk of the library 6 nights a week? What if you could make enough money to learn and enjoy college without spending game-days serving burgers to drunk students?

It’s as easy as getting a sugar-daddy.

Melissa Beech, tired of working retail and waiting tables, did just that. “During my job hunt, I met a potential employer. He was in his early thirties, single and successful. He didn’t hire me, but he did suggest a position that seemed perfectly suited to my attributes and skills: he proposed that he become my benefactor.”

Some people consider Melissa’s “job” to be prostituion, but she doesn’t agree; I call it a ‘mutually beneficial arrangement’ that pays for my killer wardrobe.”

What do you think? Is this the answer we have all been looking for, or is this simply a real-life Pretty Woman?