First of all, you have to learn how to live with a double schedule. When I first came to this country, I got a full-time job in a bank. When I began my studies thinking that I would work only part time. Instead, I quickly realized I could not afford to pay my rent and other expense without working full-time. This meant I would have to maintain a forty-hour or more work every week and fit my courses in whenever I could. Luckily, the community college I wanted to attend had an evening program that allowed me to take courses in the evening and weekends. On paper this looked like a good schedule, but I was shocked to learn that I had no time for social activities or shopping, and very little for homework. The first semester I slept only five hours a night and became so tired that I thought I wouldn't make it. By the end of the first term, I was sure that with enough determination I would reach my goal.
A working also has to overcome academic difficulties and make sensible choices. I didn't expect problems with my courses because I had always been good in school. Since English was the main language in my schools at home, I was able to pass proficiency tests in reading and writing. I knew, I would do all right in speech and writing courses. Math was never my strong point. However, I found out that I would have to take a remedial math course before enrolling in the math course for computer science. I also discovered that since I had not taken physics in high school. I would have to