Taking dolls to school or college?

I've been battling this a bit for a while now, especially after my mom and I discussed about college and how I was going to have to focus on my studies, and manage my money well and such, but I dunno how that's going to affect my doll collecting! I'm planning on getting a doll after I get a job down to the college I'm going to and saving up enough (and a bit more for other things) to get him, but what my mom says concerns me. I don't know, but I would like to still collect dolls, but I'm afraid that my parents will definitely disapprove. What is the wisest thing to do when starting college and doll collecting?

 

Well.. I'm in college and just started collecting dolls myself.

What I do is make sure I have enough for what I need (ie. food, gas, books, art supplies, etc.), and then at the end of the week take $20 (or $30, or $50 .. whatever you can afford) or so out of whatever I have left to help pay for dollies.

It's a slower process than ripping all the money out of your savings at once and purchasing your doll, but .. it works, and it makes sure that you have enough for important stuff too.

It's really just a matter of budgeting. Plus, saving money bit by bit makes buying your doll feel like more of an accomplishment (especially with the more expensive dolls).

 

Thank you for the input! ^_^

But I'd also like to add that my mom really wants me to do well in school and she doesn't like me putting my focus on "non-school related" things. So how do you handle schoolwork and doll collecting?

 

Ditto on the 'in college and started collecting dolls' thing.

The key is budgeting. I was never great with money...if I ever HAD money, but once starting college and getting into this hobby, I found myself keeping records, managing my accounts, and keeping tallies of my funds. I've actually learned how to save while taking care of more important things first.

Basically, as the previous poster has said, take care of living expenses and classes first. Then if you have any left over at the end of the week/month/pay period, take a bit of it and tuck it away for a doll's fund. That way the bills are paid and you're not eating crackers and peanut butter for a whole semester.

Oh, and always keep a little money on the side in case of an emergency. It was just my luck that right after spending my doll fund, my mini-fridge died and I had to borrow money from my brother to get a new one. Yea, don't take ALL of your spare cash for doll savings, just enough.

[edit] I forgot about the parent part of your question.

Well, my parents didn't really approve of thsi hobby when I started college, either. But when it comes time to study, you can always put your doll(s) out of site or somewhere on your desk that won't interfere or take your attention. Just remember that your dolls will be with you regardless of grades, but your college standing doesn't care about your dolls. It's your future at stake. Your dolls can wait.

Eventually, my parents relented and don't mind my babies so much...as long as I keep my grades up and don't slack off TOO much. You can help ease your parents' minds by writing out your money management and showing it to them, proving that you know what's important and that your doll will be on the side. It shows maturity and responsibility. My parents love that.

 

Another one in college and collecting dolls. As much as it has already been said, it might as well be said again. Budgeting is the key. See how much you have at the end of a week/two weeks/month/whatever pay period you have and think about how much you can take out without hurting yourself. I honestly keep some money in my account at all times (not including the money that comes every month) that's just there for an emergency. After I take that and the normal stuff (food, gas, books, etc.) then I'll pull a bit of money out to save up.

As for handling schoolwork...I wouldn't think it would be much different from high school. Just make sure that you keep your schoolwork as a priority. Like, don't decide the night before a test you haven't studied for that you'd rather sew an outfit or take pictures or whatever else. Keep school a major focus, but don't think that school is going to consume your life when you're at college. You have more free time than you might imagine. It's all about prioritizing when it comes to that.

Hope that helps some!

 

Frat parties abound and your parents are worried about you having dolls at college...?

But seriously, as long as you budget, (and I know you're good at that) the money shouldn't be a problem. Like several people have said just make sure you have bills covered and a bit of emergency money before dolly spending. You will have free time in college and having fun with Larue and other doll people would be alot more constructive then frat parties and the like. Time in college is just like money in college - budget it and make sure you have the essentials, studying and homework, done before you play... and don't procrastinate on papers.

 

PranBran's right about prioritizing.

It also depends on your major. Some major are really stressful, but others arent. If you can get an idea how demanding your major is then you'll have a clearer idea how much time needs to be set aside for schoolwork.

I just got into doll collecting and its my last year in college. I dont know how I'll handle this hobby when I start working...I guess it depends on the job. XD

 

With it being a distraction... I never understood the whole "your life must be school" thing I know some parents think their children should have. In high school I had friends that couldn't work because their parents didn't let them because it somehow distracted from schoolwork, yet I somehow managed to be top of most of my classes and have had a job since I was 14.

Anyways, when it comes to both your coursework in university and managing your money along with the hobby, it just comes down to choices and priorities. When you are in university and paying so much for the privilege of higher education, your priority should be school/learning. Plus the way that I like to think about it is... the more scholarships I'm getting, the more free time (because I don't need to work as much) and money for fun stuff (otherwise known as money for doll stuff) I have!

Also of course have a safety cushion of money (in case your computer breaks, you need more books for courses, you need emergency rent or whatever it may be), watch yourself going into debt or letting necessities slide for the sake of buying more doll stuff. Then again that goes for not only university students, but everyone who collects or has a hobby.

I got into dolls in my first year of university, and they have only positively affected my life. Plus they keep you company when you're up at ridiculous hours perfecting an essay or studying for exams!

 

Talk someone else into buying it for you. If it's a present, your folks have no room to complain. *wink wink* XD

 

I was an active comic and doll collector throughout college and really just knowing your priorities and budgeting time and money is all you need to have a handle on to succeed. I severely limited going out to save money. Instead of going out both Fridays and Saturdays and doing weekend long things, I'd only do 1 day every few weeks or keep it simple: movies & McD's. I also skimped on meals by bringing food with me to campus so I wouldn't eat out and spend more considerably more money in the long run.

Studying simply takes discipline. I know I'd have rather played with my dolls and read comics in my spare time but I'd leave those things at home and stay on campus longer to get study time in. I'd also make goals like if I finish my homework and lab write-ups early before I go home, it'd free up more time for me to play. Also I'd limit my computer time to only in the afternoons so I would use my pockets of time for more homework and studying. That was even harder since it was the time of the rise of the internet, mailing lists, IRC chats, and MUSHes. Those were the days and I know I could have spent more time on a computer if anything!

It's totally doable. I am living proof. I got my BS in Biochemistry, got a job, and still collect dolls.

 

I personally think the doll hobby is a nice, healthy break from schoolwork. It does no good to get yourself too worked up and stressed out over everything that college entails with no creative outlet. I'm not sure what your living situation would be like, but personally, had I been into dolls while living on campus I would have been more afraid of other students not respecting my property (which they did quite often), and damaging my dolls moreso than I would fear them being too much of a distraction from my studies.

 

Honestly, I don't think dolls are a major worry as far as being a distraction from schoolwork. They're not pets, they don't require a daily investment of time -- they're a hobby you can spend time on when you have free time and set aside when you're busy.

I'm a graduate student, so there are parts of the school year where school pretty literally takes up all my time I'm not spending sleeping. When it's like that I'll spend two or three weeks not even looking at my dolls; they just sit on the shelf. I do things with them when I have time.

If you don't have the self-control to set aside dolls when you don't have time for them you're going to have the same problem with any hobby, so your mother's objection confuses me. Is it that she would prefer that you not work while you're in college, or at least in your first year? If so, that's probably a valid concern -- it might be best to put off saving for a doll and instead focus on getting used to college life for your first semester or two.

 

I haven't got any dolls yet. But i have been in college two years and will be in college two more years before uni starts and then i'll have to save like ma di thinks.

Anyway, I am not great with money, so reading this thread will help me because usually when i see something I want .. I buy it on the spot.

A little bit difficult when I am not sure how much uk pounds the dollfies i want are equal to, but i will deal. but i need to start saving because i want to start a life with my beloved steve and have dollfies and all the other expensive hobbies I seem to have (cosplay, gaming, DDR etc).

I need to save a lot, especially to reach my goals, but with help from this topic, i think i will be able to do that.

 

Ha, well it helps when you are going to college to learn how to become a toy designer.

*points to avatar*

Once my parents saw how much time/money/effort I put into making my own doll, they understood why they are so awesome.

Hey, I've even used Paul in Sculpture class before when I made a mini-puppet theater.

 

Well my mom doesn't want me to use work as an excuse for any failing grades (which uh...never has been a problem with me), and doesn't want me spending money for "useless" things...>>;

 

On the financial front, it shouldn't really be a problem as long as you're not spending money you don't have. I generally only buy dolls/doll stuff when I come into a bit more money than usual (after Christmas, birthdays, etc.) My freshman year wasn't so great, but that had more to do with adjusting than the doll hobby. I don't think it's something that'll really impair your academic performance so long as you aren't off shooting photo stories when you should be studying for an exam.

 

There's already a long discussion thread about having dolls at college: http://www.denofangels.com/forums/showthread.php?t=68269. The experiences people describe there might be useful as you make your decision!

 

Well Im about to move out and go to college in London (Im only 17, so its quite strange!)
The funny thing is, Ill actually have more money, but itll be measured into weekly food shops. However, until I get my Ami, Im putting a third of my weekly food budget into the doll fund.

Im quite excited at the prospect of saving for dolls and being 100% independant. It makes the whole doll experience more personal I guess...

 

well my question is kinda different (and I really don't have any problems with theft or anything lol) (though I guess someone asked my question in there somewhere...)

 

Maybe if you explain to your mom that it's your own money, and buying it won't hinder you financially, she'll be more accepting? Or just telling her that you're going to have hobbies other than studying in college, so why not get a doll? That's why college have so many clubs, students can't think about school work all the time or they'd go crazy.

I'm about to go to college and just bought a doll. The way I see it, it's a life changing type of event that's caused me a lot of stress, and I can indulge in luxury items every once in a while. They make me happy, and that's what matters. I used my own money to buy it, putting away a little bit every week for a year, so there wasn't much of a guilt factor for me. I wouldn't buy one if it would financially cripple me, but as it is, I know I would have spent the money on other luxury items anyway, like books, music, food, or clothes.