drop out of college, or stay and slave

So I'm having this big life dilemma..I have been to 3 different colleges in the past 2 years, and have changed my mind many many times between staying in school or just never going. I don't really want to finish school for many reasons, but I think I keep going back because I'm afraid of the unknown.. like I want to be free and I want to move to a different state and all this stuff, but I think I"m just too scared to do it because I dont' know what it's gonna be like. Also, a big part of it is because I don't want my parents to think I"m a failure, like I'm going nowhere in life. Does anyone agree with me that I don't need an education as long and im happy and financially stable, or is the reality that I have to be like everyone else and sit in school for four more years in order to have a good life? Any feedback would be wonderful.

 

well I would look at it as I have spent 2 years towards a 4 year degree so might as well finish it but thats me. It has nothing to do with failure as much as time I wasted already so I might have a piece of paper to wipe my ass with for my efforts, lol


You have to live with yourself and your parents are not gonna be there night and day with you so yup dont lay the scale of a reason on them, its all you and no one else.

 

I'm facing the same dilemma right now. I am moving up quickly in my company and I believe I can really go places with it, without ever going to college, but I'm afraid of what will happen when I finally leave the company, will I have anything to fall back on without the degree??

 

I'm sort of in a similar situation. Feel like you're compromising yourself and your freedom by staying in school because its the expected thing to do?


If you're going to enter the unknown, as you put it, whats most important is having a plan. Even if your plan is to have more freedom from a scheduled and controlling life, still have a plan for it. Otherwise, you might end up not being productive or achieving whatever it is you're after.

I used to think that leaving school was not an option. And, practically, if you want to be financially secure, you do need an education. Very few are fortunate to get by without it and its getting more difficult to do so.

If you've already switched colleges 3 times, maybe now isn't the right time for you. Wait until it is. Until you want the education and want to learn in an academic setting.

And once you finish an undergrad, you can always take a break before going into another degree or a job. Just pace yourself and make sure you're entering something when you're ready and looking forward to it.



Can I ask what you've been studying for the past 2 years?

 

well, i guess it depends on your situation. what are you losing by staying in school? what are you losing by leaving school? which one will hurt your goals more?

droopy - I say stay with your company and take a few classes. a degree is something that no one can ever take away. its a win-win. if you stay with the company, a degree is something that could enhance your position and salary. and if the layoff fairy happens to visit you, its a stronger chance of getting into the next good company

plus, I loved college (hard labor that it was). I was pushed further that I thought I could go, and surprised myself by how well i did. I also learn about stuff i didn't even know I liked. Even if I end up still working in a warehouse not using my degree, I would never regret my college experience. made me a better me

 

Go work for a couple years
see if you want to go back to school

Right now you're assigning no value to it, and if it's like most post-secondary schools it's costing you money to go (or your parents, wahtever, it's costing money to attend)

 

Thanks!

 

Take as many business courses in the meantime while you're still in school.

If you transfer again, sign up for a business course.

While you're sitting in the classes, think about what you really enjoy doing in your free time, and apply the business course lectures & shit towards what you enjoy doing. Whether its a hobby or a skill, if you want to make some bread without college, you still need to have some background in business no matter what.

People enjoy their hobbies, otherwise they wouldn't have 'em, so might as well make a buck doing what you enjoy. Setting fires is also fun...but thats a different story...heh...heh heh.

 

I dropped out for a couple of years and went back and got a degree.

College can be a very frustrating experience, but so can be trying to find stable employment without a degree. There are obviously many jobs out there that one can get without a degree that affords some financial stability though.

It really depends on what you want. Even though I went to school, I don't just want a job and a paycheck. I need to be doing something that inspires me. My current career doesn't do that for me even though I'm quite good at it, it pays relatively well and I have a degree in the field.

If I were you, I wouldn't look at going to college as the specific road block. Think what you truly want to do, what you would find inspiring. If you're content in just waiting tables to make ends meet, than do that. Plenty of people do and there's nothing wrong with it. Same with countless other jobs. It's just a job and they find passion and fulfillment in other areas of their life.

I'm someone who needs both and recognize that at this stage in the game for me, I'll probably need to get a master's degree to steer myself in the path where I'll be able to be in a career that's fulfilling for me.

 

I had this same issue, all of my schooling was paid for as a sponsored native student... and I blew it because I didn't want to be in that program, or even school at that time. I am now going back in fall, and my grandmother has paid for it all... BUT i screwed up again... b/c of a guy.... it involves moving far away.... but my family will basically disown me if I do so, but at this point in my life it's logical... but so is school >_> I say you just wait it out, and try to put up with it as surface and dry as all of this advice sounds...

 

alex714 - I was going to school for art, possibly art education...so what are you going to do then, have you decided yet?


Thank you all for the advice, you've really helped me think this through and gave me new insights on my options. the thing is, I could be sit in a little shop and sell my artwork for the rest of my life, and as long as I made enough money so I didn't have to worry about making ends meet, I would be extremely happy and content. As long as I enjoy what I'm doing and it brings me enough to pay the bills and support myself/family, I could give a rats ass about being successful in the career field. Success doesn't only mean moving up in your job or making more money,but that is what I was taught growing up so I didn't know there were other options. I think right now I'm definitely going to stop worrying about school, and move away, and see where that takes me.