What do I do next? I feel so lost!

Philippines
May 11, 2009 1:12pm CST
Have you ever asked yopurself this question? Well I have, a million times a day. ( okay so maybe that's exagerrating it a bit) You see right now I'm at the point in my life where I don't know what to do next. I still have a semester to go before I graduate college just a few minor units. Right now we're really in a pinch since as it's just my mom and me and my mom's too old to work. We rely on my educational benefits to get us by. NOw it's summer break sso I went and got a job, but I'm really unhappy with my job and it doesn't follow the labor code at all. But still I grabbed the job because the pay was nice. I haven't been in the company for a month but already I'm burned out. I don't know what step to take next I could find another job since I feel I've been cheated out of the labor code with holidays and all that. But as much as I want to I can't just up and quit since as I don't want to disappoint my mom, especially since I know that we really need the money. If I get another job it might not fit into mmy school schedule, and if I quit and the benefits get delayed we won't have any money for the bills. I really don't know what to do I wish I could take time to myself to think about it but... well that's just not an option. Have any of you experienced this or something similar? If so do you have any advice on how I could be able to find myself again and cope with it?
6 responses
@nzalheart (2338)
• India
11 May 09
Hello serenity!!! Well such moments come up in life sometimes. The more we learn to cope with such situations the more experienced and strong you become in life. It seems that you really need the money and so you can't quit your job. It may be difficult thing to do to work hard in the office and again attend the schools regularly, plus you are attending the final semester of the college and so it seems to be very much important. I have not really been with such difficult situation myself. But the problem of lack of money has come up in my life several times. I am still dependent on my parents, and I know how hard it is for the parents to come up with the large education bills. Luckily I am getting scholarship and don't need to pay more as it needed. But still, we have to pay, its not the full scholarship...I am an engineering student and still I need 2 and half years to graduate. Sometimes, I feel like I find a job and work on. I know, how hazardous it would be for my study and so my family would also allow me to do some permanent jobs. And for this reason, I am here on mylot, at least trying to earn some pocket money... This seems to be even tough in your case. I can only suggest you to be patient under such difficult circumstances and wait for the time to graduate. I hope you can have nice job then. Patience is the greatest strength friend. You still have the happy life forward after this difficult moments... Wish you for the nice future...Happy mylotting...
• Philippines
11 May 09
HI Nzalheart, thank you very much for understanding. I am actually an engineering student myself. I finished my thesis last semester so right now i just need to catch up on some of my minor units. You're right it's very hard to move forward when you feel stuck in one place. and right now I feel like sinking in that place, I know i'll be able to pull through. Good luck with your studies! :)
@nzalheart (2338)
• India
12 May 09
keep patience and hard working serenity. You will certainly be successful. You are an engineering student, and you time to work as an engineer is not that far. If it is that difficult, why don't you leave the job and concentrate on the study for now. You have much more to earn in the future. Best wishes...
@yoyozhou (356)
• China
12 May 09
Oh,it's really hard to you.You must be an excellent girl!In my opinion,it is more important to finish your college. I know the life is tough for you and your mom.But study is important for your future.All in all,whatever you decide,I think you are a good girl.I will support you. Hope you a good luck.
• Philippines
12 May 09
I don't know that I'm excellent but thanks for that morale booster, well I am striving to finish my studies, it's the last leg after all. I appreiate the support, and I'm gonna need all the luck I can get. :)
@rowantree (1186)
• United States
11 May 09
I'm so very sorry you're in this situation. How hard it must be for you. I wish I had the magical answer to make everything better for you and for your Mom, but I don't. The only thing I can suggest is that you look for another job while still employed at your current one. Hopefully you can find another job that you will enjoy that will also fit your school schedule. Good luck to you.
• Philippines
11 May 09
thanks rowan, I hope Ididn't sound too much of a whiny brat, I just wanted to get it off of my chest. Because I can't possibly open this up to my mom and my friends well they are still a bit immature. They do't worry about their own finances yet since as they can still get their allowanes. *sigh* I'll try to find another job. (let's just cross our fingers).
11 May 09
Hi and I am sorry you are going through this You need to give yourself the best opportunities you can. Getting burnt out at your young age does not seem to be the way forward. I think the other frustration is the feeling of being trapped by your current situation. What you need is a plan and to work towards it. Unfortunately, there is no overnight solution to your problem. You need to think about what your strengths are and how to best monetize them. You are currently in school. DOes this give you training for any job you could do when you graduate. Think along those lines Get yourself a 5 year plan and within that 5 year plan a 1 year plan. When the focus is on what you are going to achieve, the journey there seems a little easier
• Philippines
11 May 09
Wow thanks ami, I'll try to do that, hopefully I coul come up with something that's a little bit better than my current situation. Thanks very much for your input It really makes me think. Because sometimes when I ask those people close to me they just say that's it's just me and besides it's a lot harder for me to open up to those that are close to me. And as I said my college friends are still a bit immature.
@ilawise26 (191)
• India
12 May 09
Hi serenity! I am into this situation now where i don't know what to do next. But i won't go into that and help you out of your problem. First of all you need to know whats the priority. Your priority is to support you and your mom till you graduate. You need the money and the job because it matches your schedule and pays you enough. Keep looking for new jobs through contacts,but remember,after your graduation you will surely land up a good full-time job. Hopefully till then you have to cope up with the job you are in right now. If you can afford to leave the current job without getting into a new one,it will be tough for you as you yourself stated. Its better to look at the bright side of things and know that you are able to support yourself with adequate finances with the job you have now. Talking of their not following labour codes ,you can try to get your way by making good relations with the management. Try to be nice so that they reward you in turn. Just be calm and carry on with it.Who knows you might land up a good part time job if u keep searching. Just don't give up and be disturbed by these little factors. I know its easy to say ,but when its the question of bread and butter ,you know what is to be done! So the word is'Fight your way and don't feel lost'. As long as you are earning ,consider it a boon and dont stop searching for a new job! Good day!
• Philippines
12 May 09
It's just so hard to keep calm when I've got all these things tumblin' in my head. I know that I'm still blessed because at least I've still got a roof over my head but sometimes I just feel so helpless. Sometimes, I feel as though I'm just dragging myself to get through the day one day at a time. I took yours and most of the other responders advice of looking for a new job... I'm still looking... I feel as though I don't control my life anymore. It can get so aggravating. *sigh* anyways thanks for your advice.
@marites31 (267)
• Philippines
12 May 09
Hmm its bad to hear that, but dont loose hope. My suggestion is for you to have a break even for one day or two. If not even for a minute just be in a corner for you to think what you really wanted. Stay focused. You should not quit, don't be annoyed with what is happening right now. Breath then relax.Then that is the time that you have to think. Prioritize what is important for you, your mom, your studies, to earn extra. Dont bother yourself with the negative thoughts because you might fall down with your plans. Be brave and find something that will make you interested in whatever job you will get. Pray harder and do the leg for work. Because only those people who are worth it who are blessed. Good Luck and be safe.
• Philippines
12 May 09
I agree I'll probably use my day off to think about all the things that I need to do and what I need to do next. Well I'lll take all your comments into consideration. Hopefully I could make up a plan of action which would be a lot better than the situation right now.