Confused if college was the right choice

So I moved into college about a week and a half ago, and I just do not feel right here, im not sure if i like the campus life. I do not feel part of this community and its located in a small town in wisconsin. I am thinking about withdrawing this week because I can still get all of my money back i believe. My parents and I put a lot of work getting me onto this school, and I feel awful about that, but im simply not happy. If I withdrew from here I would go back home, get a full time job, get a coffee shop job for the weekends, and possibly move out as soon as I have enough money and go to the art institute. I have to make my decision wether to stay or withdraw by friday and I am still so confused. I know I should do what will make me happy, but im worried ill regret it later. Any advice? I mean, its not like there isnt other opportunities out there, but maybe ill be giving a good opportunity up. Oh i just dont know! I appreciate any good advice.

 

Well, perhaps it's because you just got there, I mean you've only been there a week and a half, everything takes a while to get use to...

 

eh if you feel like it isn't going to work out
then escape while you can

do what you feel is right....

 

true, that way at least they can get their money back...

But be sure it's just not nerves but really something you don't want to continue...

 

Ride it out and get a feel for it.

Soon enough you'll meet like minded people and so on.

You have to create your own atmosphere, it won't just come to you. Integrate yourself into the new surroundings and try to enjoy yourself. College, all in all, is bullshit... yet necessary in this modern life.

You can at least give it a semester to see how you like it. No need to make rash decisions after a week.

 

seems like you might as well stick it out for a semester; it's hard to really tell if you like it there in the first week and a half. i know i didn't start making any decent friends until about a month into my first year of college... certainly didn't fit in well until then. also, i seriously doubt you can get a full refund at this point, especially if you're living on campus.

but really you're the only one who can tell if you're in the right place for you

 

The first semester always sucks. Ask anyone.
But I agree with stalk, if you feel it's not right, get out while you can..

Good luck

 

Yeah, I'll second that one. First semester always sucks.

Just tough it out, be a man and all of that good shit.

 

i enjoyed my first semester, especially the second half of it...

 

traditional college and campus life is not for everyone. i think most people who feel really uncomfortable with what it's really like when they get there are feeling that they maybe aren't the type for a traditional college education. some stick it out and end up enjoying it, and others are miserable for an entire 4-5 years and then have huge college debts and little prospect of jobs. (that's my partner i'm talking about)

it sounds like you have a GREAT backup plan laid out, if you do decide to leave. nothing wrong with working for a few years, saving pennies, etc... living in the real world before figuring out what yu wanna do. it often changes people's perspectives of what they wanna do. because if you only do what you like in your classes, and then you get out of college and realize that the real world is nothing like your classes were, you can really be fucked over.

but it sounds like you want to go to an art institute, which sounds awesome. you're still getting a great education, without the traditional college setting, which sounds like it appeals to you. i have always hated traditional college settings... which is part of why i didn't go to college. i was in boarding school, which is similar, and it sucked balls. you live breathe and are that school while you're there, and it's difficult to make your own space. sounds like you might feel the same way. just know you're not the only one to feel that way.

do what your gut tells you to do, above all. no one else can possibly know what will make you happy or help you fulfill your goals in life. that's only you. just know that doing something because you feel guilty or bad because a lot of work and effort and maybe money went into something... well, that's about the shittiest reason to do something, and it most likely won't make you happy at all. follow your heart, and you'll be fine.

 

I strongly disagree with this. I'm sure it's useful if you're aiming for a 9-5 grind of a life, but it is possible to make your own fortune and to be happy without one.

I think NTH summed it up quite well, but it's also worth keeping in mind that if you got in once, you'll get in again. not a big deal - if you're not feeling it right now, maybe you will at a later stage. or maybe you won't. either way, you can't go wrong if you do what you think is right.

 

Sounds like there is a relationship problem between parents and child in this instance as well

I don't think there is an objective right or wrong. Especially in the short term.

Since you're already there, I personally would try out one semester.

BUT, I also think it is MUCH more rewarding for youngsters to seek a CAREER first, through experience, before deciding whether or not you need or want to go to college and to do specifically what.

The pressure to go to college is misguided and counter-productive. There are people without college degrees doing very well if not better in technical fields etc., because of EXPERIENCE.

College is nothing other than a gate-keeping mechanism for social inequality.

 

thanks everyone! well every response here has a good point! I just dont want to regret anything, but life is about taking chances and gaining life experience. Im leaning towards withdrawing from here, but I need to talk to someone here about my options. because if i am not able to get all of my money back(which they say you can on the school website) then I have to stay the sememster.

 

No one will hire you to a real job without a college degree, at least here in Gringolandia. It's pretty much the equivalent of a high school degree these days. Think of it as a right of passage.

I do not disagree with your statement though. People can make their own fortune, or can be happy without one... yet this is getting more and more difficult in this world.

All in all, college is a good growing experience and WILL help you out in life. Practically any employer will hire a college graduate over someone with a simple high school diploma, no matter how qualified or intelligent they seem to be.

 

Technical fields also require an education. Experience is built up in life, approach college as a form of professional experiences. Much of what you do in your 3rd and 4th year is internship and independent study... perfect forms of experience. Hell, they even open the door to much more experience than a forced occupation would.

 

i would stick the semester out. its early into your first semester, and its normal to have doubts about what it was the right choice. stick it out, find some friends, and have some fun. its all in your outlook on this.

 

I want to look into the arts institute, but its about 15000 more than this school. Thats a main thing that is worrying me about my plan if i do not stay here.

 

theres plenty of ways to cut down costs - search out scholarships, etc

 

I have a job that a college degree is required... I got a promotion two years ago, they saw that I could do what the position required and so they gave me the position...Though, I have been there over eight years, which that had persuasion for them giving me the position perhaps...

 

yes, very true