My options essentially are: 1. Get a second job. I have a math course in the evenings though (6-9) so it'd probably take up the weekend or something. 2. Take 5 courses first semester and just overload my second semester. 3. Get a student loan for like $200 (I want to keep debt to a minimum). 4. Ask parents for that amount. They haven't paid anything for my education, so maybe they won't mind?
What do you think? Do you have any other ideas?
For an amount that small I know my parents would help me out, but I understand not all parents are the same financially and ideologically.
My next answer would be take out a student loan, but pay it off as soon as you get the money, make the biggest payments you can to avoid high interest!
Choosing less courses is alright, I would not choose that because your not avoiding paying, just putting it off because you have to pay for it in the second semester anyways.
And then there is a second job. I would choose this one as a last resort, if you take a second job you will have less "me" time. That could cause plenty of stress which is good in small doses but college is stressful enough!
next one would probably be just a small student loan.
If you are unable to convince them to help you with the cost, I'd go for the student loan. The other options risk being a detriment to both your mental health (lack of rest, increased stress, etc.) and your grades, so it's best to avoid them if you can. A loan so small really shouldn't hold you back too much, and once you can afford it, it's gone, whereas too much coursework will both exhaust you and make you miserable.
Good luck with it. :)