I'm no match for Starbucks

November 5th, 2006 at 01:13 am

So, grad school is going pretty well. I'm not going to jinx myself by mentioning specific grades, but let's just say that I'm happy right now. It's funny b/c I had serious doubts about whether I'd be able to do any of the work. My undergraduate major was Film/Video Production and my minor was Literature. When I graduated in 2002, I didn't even know what an MBA was.

At any rate, being in the program has turned my world upside down. The pro: my coworkers (90% of whom are Vice Presidents) seem to have a newfound respect for me. The con: I have absolutely *no* free time anymore.

Of course, this is a finance blog, so what would this entry be without a little something about my monetary status? Well, my recent downfall has been Starbucks. I never used to drink coffee in the afternoon, but now by 2pm I'm trucking off to the nearest Starbucks. Of course, this puts a pretty big dent in my wallet. I also find myself going 2x a day on weekends as well.

So, once again I'm turning to the readers out there for advice:

Does anyone have any advice for people who work full-time and attend school part-time on weeknights? Where do you find the energy to give both work & school 110%?

Of course, it could be far more difficult:
Some students have work, school -and- children! I can't even begin to imagine how exhausting that could be.

Posted in Uncategorized | 10 Comments »

10 Responses to “I'm no match for Starbucks”

Thrifty Ray Says:
November 5th, 2006 at 01:37 am 1162690674
1162690674

First, I commend you for taking this step in your education. You are providing yourself the opportunity to reach for whatever star your heart desires!!

Keep in mind that you are sacrificing short term for the betterment of long-term!

Consider a thermos to provide some nice hot caffiene that is less expensive!

Rest whenever you have a chance...and dont push yourself too hard outside of work and school. Hobbies can wait.

Take care of yourself. Eat healthfully and get rest. And occasionally pat yourself on the back for what you are accomplishing!!

My best wishes to you!
baselle Says:
November 5th, 2006 at 02:40 am 1162694416
1162694416

Since you have two exciting ordeals right now, you want to make sure that the rest of your life is routine. Establish one as rigorously as possible. That 2 pm craving for caffeine is actually a good thing - it means that your body wants a routine. When you get a routine, run it as cheaply as possible.

Ray's strategy of a thermos is a good idea. If you do Starbucks, try to get the smallest, least flavored thing you can. I'm a weirdo, I know, because my drink is a tall drip, splash of milk.
Broken Arrow Says:
November 5th, 2006 at 02:54 am 1162695284
1162695284

I don't rely on caffeine anymore.

Being something of a computer nerd, I used to rely heavily on heavily caffinated sugary drinks. Well, nothing hardcore, but let's just say that if I got cut, I would have bled Mountain Dew.

It's hard to believe that one can be "addicted" to soda, but if I didn't have at least one per day, I would feel a very noticeable headache, besides a subjective lack of energy. That's when I realized that it was causing me more harm than good.

So, one day, I made up my mind and went cold turkey. The week that followed wasn't my best, but eventually, the headaches went away.

Today, whenever I need to recharge, I would take a "power nap". Quite literally, I would lean back and close my eyes for 5 to 15 minutes. Even if I wasn't sleepy, at least it rested my eyes which might have been sore. I would also breathe slowly and delibrately, to simulate sleep. This also helped ease stress I think. Sometimes it's more like meditation, other times, I would be knocked out cold. Either way, I've learned that when you need more energy, the best way to get it is to simply stop and rest.
janh Says:
November 5th, 2006 at 03:25 am 1162697110
1162697110

Wow. That's hard work. I did the opposite. I went to school full-time and worked part time every afternoon/evening. Scheduling well was the key for me. Funny how I don't do that now--lol. But I wasn't in a graduate program--that's probably more intense. Pace yourself. Thrifty Ray is right--take good care of yourself!
sarah Says:
November 5th, 2006 at 04:04 am 1162699457
1162699457

I workied full time and student taught at the same time. Be careful at the end of the semester I was sick. Good diet and exercise got me through it.
PRICEPLUS Says:
November 5th, 2006 at 04:58 am 1162702694
1162702694

Remember to make some time no matter how small for yourself. It is so important to recharge your batteries.

By the way you can post things to blow off steam and they don't all have to be financial....it is your blog....
tinapbeana Says:
November 5th, 2006 at 02:58 pm 1162738733
1162738733

ahh, another coffee fiend. i think this site attracts them! *g* i too am a coffe fiend, and i take both a travel mug and a thermos to work filled w/ my own coffee from home. find something you like when you brew it, and let that be your treat, it'll still be less than starcrooks.

also on coffee: could you possibly stash or find a coffee pot in a student or faculty lounge somewhere? just a thought.

as for stress and time: i send my empathies. i went to school full time & worked 1 FT 2 PT jobs. aaaaaaaaaagh! i carried a book with me everywhere and would read on breaks, between classes, or when things got slow in the computer lab. reading is something i enjoy, and i never had time for out until i weaseled it in. made me feel a little better and gave my mind a rest for a while.
pjmama Says:
November 5th, 2006 at 05:23 pm 1162747430
1162747430

Do you have your own grad office (I know at both the universities I've attended, there is one...) if so, you could take a coffee pot in there and leave it. That way you have coffee on hand. That, or you could buy coffee elsewhere. I'm a college student as well, so I know the pains of caffeine addiction! I changed my habits to a more frugal option for the mornings (make at home, bring to class in insulated mug), but I always end up buying on campus if I need coffee in the afternoon. Either way, good luck!
LuckyRobin Says:
November 5th, 2006 at 10:40 pm 1162766445
1162766445

Its important for you to be eating as nutritiously as possible and a good vitamin/mineral supplement would be quite helpful. The brain learns best when the body is properly nourished, so wipe out the junk food. That 2 p.m. caffeine craving may be your body crying out for a needed food boost. Try having some nuts with your coffee. Nuts have an even balance of protein and carbohydrates and a good dose of the healthy fats important to higher brain functions. I'd say in place of your coffee, but not too many caffeine junkies are going to go for that.
Broken Arrow Says:
November 6th, 2006 at 02:32 pm 1162823563
1162823563

I can't believe I forgot this, but my ex and I were one of those couples that juggled work, school, and had kids at the same time.

Unfortunately, we didn't make it....

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The Ups and Downs of Drew's budget

Twenty-something in Boston, working full-time and attending grad school part-time.

I'm no match for Starbucks

10 Responses to “I'm no match for Starbucks”

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