Taking dolls to school or college?

Well I have other expensive hobbies (well one other really XD; ). It was a shock to my mom how much I have spent for cosplay lately, but even how much I have spent on cosplay could never equal up to how much I spent on my first doll, so it's even more shock to my mom...^^' I dunno...I'm lucky I don't go into things like expensive clothes and coffee, but I can imagine dropping cosplay or dolls. >.<

 

well i was going to move out for University this year but really don't have the time or money so might be next year.

For my exams just passed. I placed my doll in his box while i revise (It actually works!) Keep all doll things out of site, don't visit DoA or doll sites often helps me focus.

Just remember school is the most important thing. Your dolls will wait for you, I gave myself a 5 minute treat every weekend and after each exam i got 30mins to an hour to spend on dolls. Then away they go.

As for payment. Spend all you need first, keep a chart keep records. I love managing my money, i give myself a budget a week. Pocket money is the money i play with, all my earning are being saved up to repay my dad. Once i hit $800 for my dad and $300 for driving lessons i'm sorted.

Just remember DON'T save every penny you have on dolls. At the end of the day, it's a hobby not a job or a real child to provide for. After your normal spending, save some money for emergencies so you wouldn't need to end up selling dolls to make funds.

Also have a bit aside to spend on yourself like clothes or a night out. Save up every week for that too.

Last is the rest goes to your dolls. Slower but you'll be sure to know you'll have everything covered, a good time AND emergencies AND your dolls

with cosplay, maybe making your costumes yourself and offering to make some for others can help with finances

 

Oh no, I always make costumes for myself lol (XD though I can't trust myself to do commissions yet)

 

*waves hand* Started collecting BJDs my freshman year of college. Cosplayed (and ALWAYS made my own costumes and styled wigs and such, I hate commissions >>) up until my sophomore year. Know exactly where you're coming from.

What I always do is this: If I don't have money to spare, I don't do anything. I don't believe in using credit cards to buy things when you don't have the money to cover it on hand, so if I can't afford to buy a doll (or, for that matter, fabric or a wig or what have you), I don't buy one, no matter how badly I want it. When I was still cosplaying and collecting at the same time, I chose which was more important to me at the time, and I either got a doll or things for a doll, or I worked on a costume. I eventually had to give up cosplay entirely as a result, but with the flagrant elitism in the community, it wasn't a huge loss. *grumblegrumble*

Point being, as a college student, knowing you can handle purchasing something and still have money in case of emergency or unexpected party or outrageously overpriced textbooks is key. Not necessarily budgeting, but knowing how much money you have and how much you can afford to NOT have is the single most important thing to pay attention to. So do so. *sage nod*

 

I am also of the crew that started collecting at the same time that they started college. I think a lot of people have hit the nail on the head about budgeting and being sensible and methodical about how you go about saving up if you're able to. The main point, I find, is perserverance. It is going to feel like you are making absolutely *no* headway - but you've got to keep going.
This might sound cheesy, but as far as focusing on school goes, I found that I could actually use the "invisible dangling carrot" idea to spurr me forward. Another thing you can do is ground yourself with friends who have no interest in the hobby of dolls at all - that way you'll be able to get your schoolwork done. Let yourself gush over dolls when you've got some free time, but don't let them take over your entire head.
I dunno... that sort of sounds like what you were asking, but I could be perfectly wrong. *wince* But that's just my two cents.
-Vega

 

I feel your pain aikoe .

I'm going into my sophomore year of college. I started collecting just before freshman year began. I also cosplay (which takes HUGE chunks of my budget) and then have expenses...like a laptop required for certain classes .

It takes a lot of effort to save. I don't use credit cards, don't buy things I can't afford and don't even do layaway usually. For anyone who knows anime cons...doing those on top of dolls can be rather taxing.

My solution has been to work through the summer or during breaks and stash that money away for school expenses, cosplay and conventions. Then working (a lot less) during classes, that money goes toward a doll. That keeps me from getting too overwhelmed...because I'm working for one set thing. Also keeps me in dolls .

Parents are weird when they think you'll blow all your book/tuition money on things like dolls. However as long as you don't go crazy and realize what is feasible and what is not...you should be fine. Even writing down on a piece of paper alotting "this much money" toward food, "this much" to books and then another portion to doll money will make you look majorly responsible, or at least prove you've thought about it.

 

Sacrifice some things for BJDs! ie, dont go out drinking, or dont buy alcohol. Cut an expensive food item out of your shopping list, or just reuse some of your old cosplay costumes and use the money for the doll fund.
This is what Im doing! ^^

 

Ah, well, consider this. You can't study all the ruddy time. If you tried, you'd go mad. I've spent far too much of my adult life in school, and I've learned it's necessary to have something else in your life besides studying and working. Dolls are a lot healthier than drinking every night!

The nice thing for a creative person is that practical studying keeps the conscious part of your mind busy like a gerbil in a wheel, so that your unconscious can go about plotting. In graduate school I was working very hard on a paper, and in the middle of it got an idea for a short story (I never did quite finish that story, alas!) It can work the opposite way as well; spending time working on an outfit, for instance, exercises the parts of your mind that talk in color/shape/texture, and gives the verbal part time to refresh itself. That's why if I'm really stuck on a writing project I go to the art museum. There's also the possibility of using the dolls to further your studies or socialization--if you have a presentation, you could make them appropriate costumes, or start a group on campus, or write a paper on dolls and psychology/dolls and Asian culture/etc.

I'm assuming in this post that you don't have obsessive-compulsive tendencies. If that were the case, you wouldn't want to run the risk of your fixating on dolls to the exclusion of your coursework, and might be advised to consult your medical professional on how to deal with your particular disorder in a college setting. Otherwise, be moderate but don't renounce the things you love just because you're in school.

 

How disciplined are you? This is a question only you can answer. While many people have given great advice on how to afford a doll and how to keep the doll from being a distraction from your studies, it's going to boil down to your own self-discipline in the end.

If you don't think you have the self-discipline, then don't put temptation in your hands just yet. But if you know your own strengths and you think you can cope, don't worry excessively over the matter and just go forth for your first doll. Good luck~

 

XD don't worry...I'm not really into alcohol nor do I go out to eat that much lol (I'm so glad I don't...^^')

 

I go to college AND I'm a cosplayer, so I understand your mom's concern about finances/study time.

The whole money aspect is mostly just common sense... you buy the stuff you need first and only the extra is budgeted for fun stuff like dolls and costumes. It's silly to think you'd skip eating or something just to buy some fabric or a new wig.

As far as studying... you spend a lot less time in classes in college than you ever did in high school. I even have some days where I have no classes at all. If you're not doing a ton of extracurriculars, then you will have TONS of spare time to not only study, but to do just about anything else you want. I've found that I have more spare time at college than I've ever had before. XD

 

I actually took a two year vacation from college to buy my dolls, which now looking back was a mistake. When I first got into them I was already going to school, I had just started and during summer break I decided to work really hard and get one, just one. Eventually one lead to two and the second I bought with my school money so I couldn't go back in the fall. It just kind of snowballed from there and now I have 4 with one on the way.

I did that because I know my limits. I know that I couldn't do full time school and full time work at the same time, but I also knew that I wanted my dollies. I believe that the job market will still be there whenever I decide to finish college so taking a year and a half off wasn't such a bad thing, but now it's a little hard to get back on track >.<

This fall semester I'm going back, with my final doll coming next week. My little window of crazy spending has ended and I do have a lot to show for it. I just think you need to figure out what you really want, if you can afford it without driving yourself crazy and go for it, everything works out eventually

 

I feel everyone's pain about being in college and wanting to get dolls at the same time. For me it's a bit hard. I go to an art school so I have to save my money for art supplies, car payment, and I'm trying to get an apartment (not forgetting what payments are included with that ) I'm currently trying to land a part time job so it would take away some of the stress. As far as dolls...If I really want one I would gladly save up dollars to do so, it would take a while but it's fun counting down those days until you have what amount you need.

Some good advise for others, If your going to school in state or out live at your parents house or relatives (if you get along with them). That way you won't have many payments (or have to pay for the dorm or food.. that depends on if your family collects rent). I use to live at my dad's.... but his new wife... .

If your not in school yet but have a job take advantage to that time. I miss that...had a job...saved up money easily

 

Me neither! Which is great for my fund lol. Im also cutting normal coca cola out of my food list, yay for cheapo shop equilvalents!

 

My first reaction is "it's your money and your grades and your future and you will do as you please because it is you that has to deal with your choices in the end, not your parents" cause that is how I felt for a LONG time. But I'm a bit more mature than that ^^; now.

You can save up slowly and use purchasing a doll a reward for your hard work, so say you set a goal of getting a B or an A in a class at the end of the semester and when you get that goal you purchase a doll as a reward. It helps the doll mean more and it shows responsiblity. Or you could just save up for one doll a year and purchase him/her at the end of the school year. If you are living in a dorm for college or at home, make a small space for your doll and if you have to study place your doll in that area and let him/her "take a nap" while you have things to do. My mom wasn't too thrilled when she saw these dolls and how much they were, but after I got Rhiannon my mom is okay with it so long as she doesn't have to "bail me out" as a result of buying the dolls.

I do the cosplay thing (and plan the fianances for the con for whoever goes with me) and what I did was everyday after classes (before I got Rhiannon) I would do my homework, making sure everything was caught up before I would even start to look at my patterns or think about going out to look for fabric. Then on the weekends I would go out and look and plan and budget and have fun with my friends and all of that stuff. During the week I did everything to limit anything that would be a distraction and my grades stayed at a good level (3.00 GPA).

It's really just learning how to manage your time and money and realize the hobby stuff is going to be there much longer than school will be.

 

i can understand what u wore saying...

My mom also desaproved some of my hobies(i&#180;m beggining in doll collection, but i&#180;m a cosplayer too)for a long time.I spended my entire high school trying to convince her i can actually be focus on my study and get some free time to do something relaxing...I even showed her some articles where doctors wrote how important it is to a student have enough free time,as well as working time.
(About price,my last 2 cosplays took the same money as my first doll ._. So for her is no big change,and its my money...)

It took her some time,and took me some patience,but at last we got an understanding...i can do everything i want with my money and my free time.And the only thing that concersn her is how i&#180;m going at college and stuff like that...

If i like it,makes me happy,takes my stress away,is fun , i guess she couldn&#180;t take it away from me.I coudn&#180;t see my self withouth my cosplays and my future doll anymore^^

the key is talking about it with her , and making it clear you can make it.
and i&#180;m sure u can o.o

 

I actually found doll stuff kind of helpful when I studied for my past set of exams. I can't study for too long, or I get very stressed. I would study for a few hours until I felt like throwing my book at someone, then I would go do doll stuff for an hour or so to calm down. Then repeat. It was apparently very effective, I got top grades in all of my engineering classes. I can't help out with the parent stuff, my parents are very accepting of doll stuff... they actually bought me my girl. They love that she helps me de-stress.

 

Lucky! I was afraid to tell my mom how much Ariana cost, and she was only $240. (She still doesn't know that I paid extra for the wigs and clothes. )

I keep a jar in my room at school and throw all my change in it and what bills I think I can do without any given week, and use it for my 'cosplay/con fund' (which will probably now be my 'Boyfriend for Ariana fund' ). I was actually able to toss a $10 bill in there one week. It may not be enough for a doll by the end of the school year, but it can certainly put a dent in the price and leave with more money in your savings.

 

It's a bit difficult for me. I don't have any money what-so-ever to spend on my dolls. Most of my time and effort goes to my school work. What I usually do is when I'm studing is set one of my dolls and my dest, and when I get frusterated on a problem I mess around with the dolls for maye 5 mins. No more than that ^^

One of my main problems is too many hobbies+school work= no time for anything haha

 

I bought my first doll at the end of my first semester at college. He didn't really effect anything for me. ^^;; My other dolls have depleted my savings account a bit, since I was a bit more impaticent to get each of them (it gets harder and harder to budget each time you save for a new one, or at least in my case). But I'm managed to cut myself off and say "no more" till I save a good chunk of money and THEN start re-saving for new dolls.

And this hobby hasn't really effected my studies either. I have more or less good grades, save for my Japanese class, but I don't study well (or often). And that wouldn't change even if I didn't collect dolls...*shrug* I figure that if I'm not going to play with them in my free time, I'll be doing something else..and it most likely wouldn't be studying anyway. ^^;;
I know I sound like the most horrible student on the planet, but I promise I'm not. I've just never had to study in the past and if it weren't for Japanese (which I have a C in) I'd have all A's and B's. ^^;;

As for parents...mine have NO IDEA that I collect dolls. I know my mom doesn't approve, soully because of the price..and honestly, I didn't either at first. But the little things grow on you, you know? Lol, I love my dollies now and so long as you budget your money (and time) well, you shouldn't have a problem...and if your parental units do, they'll just have to get over it. It's your hard earned money you'll be spending, not theirs, and if you're in college you should be over the age of when they can tell you to and not to do something. ^^;;

Also, tip for while you're at school (someone may have already said this, though I know its really common sense so you prolly know anyway..^^; ).. Don't run around telling everyone that you have such an expensive doll...you will have a problem with stealing. It hasn't happened to me, which I'm thankful for, but I know people who have had game systems stolen...and those cost almost as much as our pretty dollies do...u_u;;