Where I've been...

[ConfusedMichelle]

Hey guys, I haven't been able to be on Susan's much this past week or so.  School consumes a lot of my time, and I got the job at Starbucks so that consumes it too.  I was also in NY this weekend where I don't have internet.

Anyway, I missed you guys and I'm going to try to be on here more.

How have yall been? What all did I miss?

As for me...college is ...eh.    I'm so homesick, so sick of school already, and so bummed out.  I hate that I have a job so I can't just go home whenever I want to visit.  I came about this close *shows tiny amount with thumb and index finger* to dropping out yesterday.  Not just because of homesickness, but its because I'm so sick of college already and it's been 3 weeks.  How will I feel after 3 years?!  I don't know if I'll make it and I'll just waste a lot of money.  Sigh

[Osiris]

Dude! I was wondering what happened to you.

It's always difficult to start something new, seems like you have a lot to adjust to. Hang in there buddy.

[sneakersjay]

Stupid question: Do you have to go to college?  Why are you going?

I'm obviously well educated and went to school, college, and grad school, and have a doctorate.  But, it is expensive.  Many careers do NOT require a degree despite the pressure put on you in high school.  Besides, if you don't really know what you want to do, college can be a waste of time and money (read: student loans to pay off while you never use that degree).  I'm not saying degrees are worthless, mind you, just that unless you have a clear vision as to why you are there, and what you want from your degree, that maybe you can go do other things, try out different things, while deciding if you need college or not.  College will still be there in a year or five or even ten.  No law says you must go at 18.

Since you're already there and paid for the semester and the apartment, and you have a job, you could stick it out this semester then re-evaluate.

Jay

[tekla]

I thought I read once where he wanted to be a big time financial markets player type.  Where school is not only important, but the school you go to makes a huge difference also.

That being said, I forced my kids to take a year off between HS and college, they had to get a job, away from home - one worked Yellowstone and Grand Canyon, the other went to Hawaii (tough I know) because I wanted them a) to have some money and know how to make more, and b) know what life looks like without college.

[trapthavok]

You're back!!! Yeah I wondered where you disappeared to.

I have no advice sorry, but are you going to be on more often again?

[sneakersjay]

I thought I read once where he wanted to be a big time financial markets player type.  Where school is not only important, but the school you go to makes a huge difference also.

That being said, I forced my kids to take a year off between HS and college, they had to get a job, away from home - one worked Yellowstone and Grand Canyon, the other went to Hawaii (tough I know) because I wanted them a) to have some money and know how to make more, and b) know what life looks like without college.

If that's what he wants then yes.  But college will still be there in a few years if his mind isn't into it at this moment.  He's very young.  He's got time.  This school and other schools will still be there in a few years.

(sorry to talk about ya in the third person, Brady!)

Jay

[tekla]

Its a tough balance for sure.  Most people can take a year off, but if you are three years out from HS grad, and have not gone, the odds of you going in the next ten years drop fast.

And yes, college is not for everyone, its most likely a waste for about 1/2 the people who do go.  In some things though there is no substitute.

I wish there was more vocational training, but still, I tell all the kids in the union that they should - if not go to school, at least take some classes, physics, bookkeeping, gen ed stuff so if they want to get a contractor's permit some day they can pass those tests, and run the biz.

[Jay]

Brady, I did wonder where you got too! Give school a few more months before you decided to quit. The first month would be the hardest to settle down in. Like Jay said if you dont like it after then you could always go back after a few years and try it again!

Dont forget to say hi every now and again.

[ConfusedMichelle]

Jay, I wish the answer was no, but I do have to go to college.  Esp. because I'm moving to NY, maybe even as soon as this summer (transfer).

But other than not making it on HS salary, I have to go because of my parents.  If I don't go, they will
A.  Think I'm a screw up and be disappointed in me my whole life
B. Never help me out financially, but if I go to college they will.
C. Hate me lol

Plus my brother and sister already graduated from school.  Sigh.

I missed you guys a lot, I promise I'll drop in more

[sneakersjay]

Brady, the only reason to go to college is to earn a degree that you will need in order to gain employment in your chosen profession/career.  A college degree is NOT necessary to live a full life.

I hear ya with regards to family pressures but those are NOT reasons to go.  OTOH if they're paying for it...

My family had no means to finance anything for me college or otherwise, so I know about no family financial help.  Go to college for the right reasons, not just because it's expected of you.

My ex-h waited 5 years before going to college.  He was a Jack of all trades.  He did landscaping, construction, waited tables and a whole host of other things.  Along the way he realized his passion was biology, so he went to the local university, got a degree in biology and became a lab geek molecular biologist/virologist and made decent money with his BS degree.  Eventually he got bored with that and taught himself computer programming and is now writing software after several years working his way around the IT industry in private companies.  Self-taught.  No computer or programming degree.  He makes more than I do and I did >8 yrs college.

What is your passion?  What will it take to get your ultimate dream job?  Go do that.  And that is the only reason I did not drop out of college, which I found boring as hell.  My profession required the 8+ yrs of education and degrees.

Jay

[Osiris]

You can't go to college to live up to other's expectations. College is difficult and you'll never really make it through if you don't see a good reward at the end, e.i., getting your foot in the door of the career you wish to go into.

A lot of people tried to pressure me into going to college, and used the reasoning that I could "find myself" there. My reasoning was, if I hadn't found myself while in high school how am I suppose to find myself while doing more schooling?

I'd opted to do it my way and now I have set goals on where I want to go and what I want to do, and am already on my way.

But yeah enough about me. lol I hope you can find the right path for you.