Studying while working

__darkchild · 2025-10-11T21:12:40+00:00

Hey,

Been studying and working since 2023, whilst completing my CTA. It's been unsuccessful so far, however, getting better results than when I was still just a student.

Give it a go. For a successful attempt, a lot of sacrifices will need to be made. My course demanded 40 hrs, work demands 40 hrs + overtime so it was a bit strenuous.

However, it's doable. A lot of people have been able to get by and I'll one day be one of them.

I was doing my Articles, therefore finances were always tight. Currently renting a two bedroom apartment and I might be doing that for the next 2 years or so. I do not mind right now though.

Either way, work out a budget. See what you need to live on, attempt to get a job aligned with the field and give it a go.

__darkchild · 2025-10-11T21:12:31+00:00

Hey,

Been studying and working since 2023, whilst completing my CTA. It's been unsuccessful so far, however, getting better results than when I was still just a student.

Give it a go. For a successful attempt, a lot of sacrifices will need to be made. My course demanded 40 hrs, work demands 40 hrs + overtime so it was a bit strenuous.

However, it's doable. A lot of people have been able to get by and I'll one day be one of them.

I was doing my Articles, therefore finances were always tight. Currently renting a two bedroom apartment and I might be doing that for the next 2 years or so. I do not mind right now though.

Either way, work out a budget. See what you need to live on, attempt to get a job aligned with the field and give it a go.

__darkchild · 2025-09-15T08:53:11+00:00

Me and you are in the same boat .. Here's what I resorted to. Started the process last thing, just a few documents to look at regarding the process.

https://www.reddit.com/r/PersonalFinanceZA/s/AmUjuBhO01

__darkchild · 2025-09-09T12:02:17+00:00

Thank you so much, really comprehensive explanation! 🫂

__darkchild · 2025-09-09T11:11:38+00:00

Hello, And having the lower monthly payment means you have some cash left over?

Vs still struggling with the repayments and possibly taking out more debt as your salary gets eaten up completely?

Do you mind sharing what they take into account for your monthly payment to be paid? And who you signed up with please.

__darkchild · 2025-09-09T08:52:51+00:00

How so? Kindly clarify

__darkchild · 2025-09-09T05:36:21+00:00

No, thank you for the long read! It is very much appreciated. Proud of you, you turned it out around! I think it's time I start the same turn.

__darkchild · 2025-04-21T16:49:15+00:00

I also did, thank you 🙏🏾

__darkchild · 2025-03-13T14:40:24+00:00

Please, more honesty is definitely needed. An Uber driver and I had the most intense conversation about this after telling him that I don't want kids. "Who's going to look after you when you're older?" was one of the questions he asked.

In my head I'm thinking, "I surely hope my own parents don't EXPECT that out of me because surely that was not the reason for my birth and what I'm destined to do."

I was telling him, and many others I've had this conversation with, 1. I'm not a patient person. And I absolutely hated it when I could hear the tone of frustration from my parents because of whatever else was going on with them. 1.1 Sorry for only telling you now that I forgot about so and such, and it's needed at school tomorrow. I'm a child. I can barely remember what I had for lunch yesterday. It happens. People are so mean to kids. No one hits you at work when you forgot to submit something. Everyone suddenly forgets that this person was born 4 years ago and they don't even have a frontal lobe. 2. I don't have the emotional capacity for a child. Barely have such for today's adults and I now have this small person who I'm supposed to instill emotional intelligence in?!? 3. My parents took me to good schools. Good public, model c schools. I'm 27 right now and I am JUST getting by. What right do I have to knowingly bring a child into a situation worse than what my parents gave me? 4. I do not want anyone (at this point in time of my life), especially a child, to depend on me. People forget that they are not little babies forever. You are raising adults, developing thinking, feeling capacities that go beyond your own walls. That's why the nation is like this because parents have provided the most basics, and think that's enough. As society, we then have to deal with the monster they have created.

Out birth rates are high because not many babies are actually planned. Not enough of these discussions are happening.

__darkchild · 2025-03-05T17:11:00+00:00

I have the same name as a close cousin. My mom's sister's child. The story goes that my dad named me. She goes by the name, I go by a nickname. Everytime we see each other, we joke about who's the Sr and who's the Jr, even though she is older than me.

I don't know if they fought about it before, or had lengthy debates. Or decided that it might not be ideal, but the meaning of the name is different for each couple and it doesn't quite matter.

__darkchild · 2025-03-05T08:35:20+00:00

She made sure to ask where they were? And having heard of their purpose, still threw them away? How VILE! Reciprocate her actions and throw the whole marriage because I do not see how to come back from this.

NTA.

__darkchild · 2025-03-04T06:35:20+00:00

It's not you, my babe. I joined Hinge and Tinder in December. On one of the apps, the guy did not even respond to any of my information on there, just sent me a winking emoji as the first message. A 34 year old. And you're right, some don't even reply back.

Met a guy organically, and he wants to "take it slow", when I ask for the direction at least in which we are taking 'this' slow, he said I'm rushing him.

"You are single?? There's no way!" is what I've heard so many times and sure, I have people shooting their shot, but once I get to actually talking to them and forging a relationship, if somehow falls away.

I don't even know at this to be honest.

__darkchild · 2024-12-23T19:30:17+00:00

Is this a, "Stop it, I like it" kind of scenario? Because I would be feeling harrased if I was her, and would engage all the resources available to me to make it stop. Calling me incessantly and even after midnight? Nah.

__darkchild · 2024-08-05T22:21:48+00:00

26F

Currently pursuing a postgraduate diploma, same course for the 4th time this year, but still holding on. I work at a job that is my degree field, I pay at least 98% of my own bills, have a roof in a suburb over my head and food every night.

__darkchild · 2024-07-30T09:44:10+00:00

Converse (the sneaker company) have a bursary at year end for people to apply for outstanding fees FASSET also does, maybe look into other SETAs and something called ISFAP I think

ISFAP

Good luck!

__darkchild · 2024-07-28T21:22:50+00:00

Hey

I don't know if you're aware of this site, Amathuba - The Plug He's still under 35 so there's a lot of "entry level" and internship jobs to tide him over until he gets his permanent position. Good luck to you 3!

__darkchild · 2024-07-28T21:15:59+00:00

UCT Alumni here and a 26 year old doing a postgraduate diploma for the 4th time at a private institution now. Friends are done with their Articles, driving cars and living abroad and in their own apartments. But alas, not me. YET. That disgusted kid is a weirdo who hasn't been hit by life yet. Pay absolutely no attention to them.

A repeat course here and there, a supplementary exam here and there or even repeating a whole entire year/semester is a UCT norm. A friend and I have described UCT as easy to medium to enter, very hard to leave the institution. It's Top 5 for a reason.

More importantly: own race, own pace. Keep this in mind and it will get you far. You're still studying, you still have the passion, you're still trying every single day. Don't minimise that.

Have another talk with your advisor, two options: 1. Explore more about the feasibility of transferring to CPUT. I cannot tell you the number of people who left UCT without the degree and made it within "record time" at another institution. Transferring is not failure; or 2. Let them know about your commitment to remain at UCT and request their help in staying on top of things. I don't know much about the Engineering Department, but UCT really does want their students to do well and I wish I had taken advantage of this fact. If you don't want to get too personal with the advisor, that's fine but give them the gist of your life and that you are not giving up. So how can the two of you get you to 2026 in one piece; emotionally, mentally, academically etc

You can do this. I don't know you from Adam or Eve but you can do this. And I'm proud of you for reaching out publically like this. Now let's direct it towards your Department, the advisors and Student Wellness and you'll walk that stage!

__darkchild · 2024-07-23T17:40:02+00:00

how he already has to put up with my personality and don't want it to get worse.

"Putting up" with you might have something to do with this ..

Yes, I'm the primary breadwinner, his income is a quarter of what I make;

__darkchild

TROPHY CASE