Hey everyone!

Let me start off by saying that I am a third year health sciences student and have been dancing for most of my life. My university recently started offering dance courses, so naturally I jumped at the opportunity to take dance for marks, in addition to my boring science classes. I took an intro level dance course last year as my elective, and really enjoyed it. I signed up for another dance course this semester, however I am starting to doubt whether or not I should keep it. Why? This particular dance class is 6hrs/week, compared to most other science/soc/etc. classes with 2-3 hrs/week. This wouldn't be a problem except for the fact that I work as a babysitter, and am always wanted at least one afternoon per week. Normally, I am able to do this since I always have at least one afternoon with no class. However, since this class runs in the afternoons on MWF, and I have my mandatory health sci courses Tues/Thurs afternoon, it pretty much shuts down any chance of babysitting (and therefore making money). Obviously I wouldn't be missing out on tons of money, but an extra $60/week can go along way for a poor university student. Plus, I love the kids I babysit as if they were my own, and will be sorta bummed if I can't see them every week. So, my question to you guys: if you were in my position, would you keep dance because its a fun course /something you love to do, or drop it in favour of making money to pay your bills/start saving? I'm so torn, because I can see the advantages of both.. and I have to make a decision within the next day or two Please help me!

Are there any other dance courses that have better timing for you? That would fit in better around your baby sitting?

It's hard decision between something enriching or getting some money. Do you have another job in addition to babysitting? There's a couple of part time jobs that could probably fit around your schedule better but you do love babysitting the kids. I'm surprised they don't want you on the weekend for babysitting.

Unless you need to take a few electives in order to graduate, taking dance classes through the university may be a very expensive way to keep dancing. Although people tend to forget that you pay for classes individually when you're paying thousands of dollars in tuition every semester, your dance course is probably much more expensive than taking class at a local studio.

Can you find a local studio to dance at, and still babysit? Therefore saving money and earning money (babysitting) at the same time!?

If you don't actually need the credit for the class, you could audit it and only go 2 days a week, and use the 3rd day for babysitting. For example, you could go to dance on Monday and Friday, and keep Wednesday open for babysitting. I'm not sure where you're from, but in the USA, you can audit a class, which means that you pay something like $60 for a semester, and you are allowed to participate in the class, but you don't get university credit for it, so you wouldn't be marked down for only doing 2 times a week.