DR. WALLACE: When the world’s pandemic problem finally ends, I will be starting my college education at Northern Illinois University this fall.
I come from a middle-class family, and I’m a pretty good student with good grades. My parents said they will help me pay for my education, but they do expect me to chip in as well.
To do this, I will have to be working a few hours a day to help my parents come up with enough funds to pay for my education. The good news is that we live in DeKalb, so I can live at home to keep my expenses down, and there are excellent bus schedules to get me to the campus for a very low transportation cost.
My question for you is, how many hours per week do you think I should work such that I can still maintain my high level of study responsibilities as a college student? — Ready for My Next Chapter, via email
READY FOR MY NEXT CHAPTER: The prime objective of all college and university students is to learn, study and receive the best grades possible. A Temple University study recommends that students work a maximum of 10 hours per week, including weekends. According to the study, teens that attend school and work long hours get lower grades. If your parents can live with you working 10 hours per week during your college days, I believe you’ll be quite a successful student at Northern Illinois University.
WE LOVE DAD BUT WORRY
DR. WALLACE: I’m an only child and live at home with my parents. Our household is unique in that my mother is a perfectionist and is very particular about what she eats, drinks and how often she works out.
My father has a different mindset. He could be the perfect dad, but he does have two problems that someday may cause him to leave this earth earlier than he otherwise would. Dad smokes and drinks a lot. By a lot, I mean two packs of cigarettes a day and at least six to 10 beers or other alcoholic drinks.
My mother and I spend a lot of time trying to talk my dad into at least quitting tobacco because we love him so much. My father is a sweetheart of a human being, and he’s so nice to both of us. We really spend a lot of time worrying about his health.
Is there anything you can tell us to get my dad to stop smoking and drinking to this extent? When I tell you that my dad is wonderful and he is very loving, I’m absolutely giving you a true evaluation of this man. Any suggestions you can offer will be deeply appreciated. – Worried Daughter, via email
WORRIED DAUGHTER: First, make sure your dad reads this column and do disclose to him that you are the one who signed off as “Worried Daughter.”
Print out a copy of this letter and tape it to your family’s refrigerator so your father will see it every day. A wonderful father and husband who is loved dearly by his family should try to do everything possible to ensure he will stay healthy for a long time to come, so that he can continue to be there for you and your mother.
It’s possible that your father will consider reevaluating his behavior as it relates to his vices when he realizes just how worried you and your mother are.
Telling anyone to change behavioral patterns often results in the words falling on deaf ears. But explaining that you love and cherish time with a person, such as your father, may just create a spark that could ignite a desire to make positive changes.
Dr. Robert Wallace welcomes questions from readers. Although he is unable to reply to all of them individually, he will answer as many as possible in this column. Email him at [email protected] To find out more about Dr. Robert Wallace and read features by other Creators Syndicate writers and cartoonists, visit the Creators Syndicate website at www.creators.com.COPYRIGHT 2021 CREATORS.COM
