I know this is really off topic but I'm having a hard time making a decision and I really trust everyone's advice about my O....

Here's my situation... I am a 3rd year art teacher, due to budget in county everyone not on contract is being let go and possibly hired back in the fall as needed. I've already decided that I do not want to teach the rest of my career, I am going back to school and in two years I will apply to med school.

My dilemma is this.. if they do offer me the job in the fall do I take it and go to school at night or turn it down and go to school full time and get some volunteer and work experience in medical field in? I'm torn because this was a relly difficult year for me discipline behavior wise but I really love a lot of my students and they really want me to be here next year, I'm afraid to let them down if I don't come back on my own accord. And I need the money.

But I don't know if I can go to school and work at the same time, I HAVE to get A's and B's in all my classes to be competitive for med school.

I almost wish they would just hurry up and decide for me. If they don't hire me back I can get unemployment for 18 months and go to school. Ughh... I'm running on but I just don't know what to do! What do you all think? I don't want to be selfish but I want to do what's going to be the right thing for the future...

The only thing I can say is ONLY you know what is right for you. As far as classes go, if you can handle the load of school and of teaching than go for it. If you can;t you will have to decide what you need to do. Unemployment will be a help but I know in this state, what they pay isn't enough to buy groceries on.... But my friend received enough in grant money to be able to pay for school and live off of... So that is an option too.

I wish you the best of luck with whatever you decide to do....
Keep us posted...

this is really a personal thing as nickisue pointed out. for me it would depend on how much I hated teaching. as you say you don't want to teach all your life if I were in that position I would go back to school full time and put an end to something I hated.

That said if teaching wasn't that bad a deal for me I would go the slow night school route. Life's not easy. best of luck.

It depends on where you are standing financialy. If you can afford to go to school without a job that is what i would go for. I am a full time student without a job and i still find it hard to get everything accomplished. But in the end, it is a decision to be made by you and your family. Good luck.

GOAL is the keyword. This global crises may be just a wake up call.
as nicki and others had said, it is you who can decide in your future.

i can give you this sample. i started my life at the age of 11 years old,
worked as farm boy but never give up my studies. hard times...no way..
my goal is to survive.... i am focused that i'm gonna finish my schooling.
farming, fishing, construction labor, dishwashing work, auto mechanics,
etc, etc, etc.... i had completed my BS Mechanical Engineering at the age
of 31, with family of 3 kids, didn't matter if i am a technical guy having
an auditing job. i had force my wife to complete her study too when i'm
through and she was able to complete it too.

today... i am not rich but feel complete and happy... all my kid are grown
up and had finished their schooling too. i am spending my time chatting with
you guys and gals as i work in my office.

DON'T GIVE UP. just entrust yourself to HIM and HE will guide you.

Thanks all for the encouragement. I certainly don't HATE teaching, I actually LOVE a majority of my students and day, I just know I want something more for the future and it seems like now is the time to go for it. I'm still looking into financial aid and grants... hopefully I'll qualify for some.

As i got my degree as a surguons assistant I barely mannaged all the studies, exams and other preparations next to the 24/7 operating times...
But I managed..
And been working in a injection-moulding factory for 10 years now.
Had to redo all of my study for a jobchange, but it's all been for the better.
Ps if you ever need somebodies kidney removed, yuo can still give me a PM, we'll arrange something for a special price, ofcourse!LOL

LMAO> Now Noddy is going to open us up?

hey Noddy, i have 2 x 6mm kidney stone but i am afraid to undergo
surgery....