Okay, so here it goes: I'm sixteen, and I am COMPLETELY confused about what to do with my life. I know that I am still very young, and that I don't necessarily have to know yet, but college is fast approaching- and that is just it. I don't know if I want to go to college. At least, I don't think that I want to go to college right after high school. To tell you the truth, I often dream of travelling the world, and making money however I can, for some time. I don't want to live a normal life. I really, really don't. And you know what? My mom wants me to go to an Ivyleague College!!!! So I guess you can tell how she'd react should I actually decide to take that route. She would FLIP OUT! It would be a mess. But at the same time, I know that it is MY life, and not hers, and that it is ultimately my decision as to how I handle my life. I know that college is the most-taken route in our culture, but I just don't feel like it is for me. I've sort of hinted at having this mindset to my mom, but she just said that I'd have all the time in the world AFTER college to do travelling. Which I disagreed with. Because after college, I'll be working to pay off my college tuition, and I'll be needing to decide what to do with my life, having a degree from college and whatnot. I just feel like after going to college my life will be too "set in stone" to travel like I wish. My question to you guys is "WHAT THE FUCK DO I DO?????" I am aware that I wouldn't always live in the best of conditions, that I'd have little luxuries sometimes, and all that other jazz, but I feel like I want to take a more adventerous approach to life. Can someone help me understand myself (that soudns ridiculous, eh? haha)? I'm so lost! I'm so confused...I get upset when I think about just going straight through college and finding a job. It's not growing up that I'm afriad of- it's how I grow up that I'm afraid of. I don't think that going to college and getting a 5-9 (cliche, i know) job is the only path, and knowing that, I don't want to take it. Any advice is welcome. Cheers, and Much Love, Dylan
i feel the same way . are you doing good in school? i mean, are you passing enough to get your diploma? i'm not, and i really wish i were. if you can, get your stupid little symbol because if you do travel it'll be so much easier to get work that way. college is an overrated trap into society. my advice is stay as uninvolved as you can, don't screw around with anything that'll get you in debt or stuck where you don't want to be. if you're interested in something, just sit in during some college classes, screw the credit. you don't need to pay out your ass to learn. learning is free. you're right. it is your life. do what you want to do. have fun.
I can't really say I have any advice for you, but I feel exactly the same way. College is such a beaten-path, I really feel it's time I make my own. Lack of money does not make travel or even life impossible, though it can make it harder. It all depends on what path you take and how you handle things. In the end, it's all a matter of will.
I would like travel after high-school instead of college as well and i doubt if their even is one person in my life who wouldn´t think I´m grazy. i´m doing fine at school right now, but i´m sick of doing things without seeing the necessity of it and think I would have to ask that question all the time if i take the route of college--> job. but i have the guts to take the step? don't know. there is a travelling/ outdoor forum somewhere on this forum, I think you can learn about this overthere and answer your question by yourself. this question will probably have an influence on your whole life and I think your the only one to decide, because it IS your life
You're 16, sit on it for a while man. I'm about to be 19 and have less of a clue than you probably. I got my writing, and that's it. Just find one thing that you will never get bored with and don't stop until that is all that you do. You're at a crossroad, trust me I know it sucks. Just make sure to look in all directions. peace
what's so bad about college I'm 13 hope to travel sometime not yet obviously but i dunno about where you are but in england i would get 30 £ a week for going to college as i come from low salary parents so there'd b no need to get into debt plus if i needed more i could get part time job and pay as i go
yeah... I know that almost nobody would support me in my idea. Everyone would say "College isn't so bad, just go, there's no reason not to," etc. etc. Sometimes I feel like I make a big deal out of it, and if I should just go and shut up. And my mom is always saying how much potential I have- I've gotten pretty much straight A's for all of my school career (excpet for math, I always get B's), I've been playing piano for 12 years, I write (well)(according to people around me), and I'm into art, which poeple say I"m good at, and people always say I'm so good at whatever I do, and I know my mom always says to strive for the best, which ultimately means going to a super good college, in her opinion, and getting a high paying job, etc. And I sometimes worry if I should try and find another way to put my skills to work, but who says that I need to go to college and live a "traditional" life to do that? Its scary thinking about just GOING and doing that , because that's what it requires. I would just have to GO and do it. Maybe some of you others who agree with me, we should all meet up and go for it! hehe... any mroe advice? Cheers, and Love, Dylan
I'd say go to college if you've got the grades for it, but perhaps not an Ivy League school(lots of rich uncaring people). I didn't think college would be that important to me (and perhaps it really isn't...), but now I'm almost through my freshman year, and I've learned a lot of stuff that I never would have without going here. Like... about different religions, geology, computer technology, logic, and other stuff. I'd say go for at least a little while and see exactly how college will or won't benefit you. At that point you'll be a little seperated from your family and have more freedom to make your own choices about your life. Then take it from there! Good luck with everything. ~Nova
id say go to college, not for your parents reasons but for yourself, I mean i know what you're saying about wanting to just go and travel the world and making money any way you can, but its not always as easy as it sounds if your willing to accept possibly not having money at times and maybe even having to live on the streets while you are travellin than go for it but I think it might not be all you dreamed it to be. At least keep college as a possibility, you can meet a lot of different people their and if you still have the urge to travel afterwards than at least you'll have a diploma to fall back on. But in the end only you know whats best for you, never let anyone tell you what to do you'll just end up having a lot of regrets.
Trevor3051, like I said, I already know that i won't have the best of conditoins always, for exmaple living on the streets, but I'd like to experience life like that for some time, and THEN go to college. i just dont think it is necessary to go RIGHT to college after high school. this is so frustrating... don't you think its unnecessary to go RIGHT to college after high school? I'd still go after i was done with travelling. DOes this sound so crazy???? Gahhhhhhhh!
You seem very much like me, pianoperson60. I did end up going to college and then dropped out after a few months, then hitchhiked across Canada and I'm about to take off to spend this summer by the Atlantic... I just have to say follow your dreams! Sure, college is fine for those who want it, but I found it an entirely stagnant, sickening environment full of pseudo-intellectual kids who really had no capacity- wait, no! Nevermind, I was getting off on a rant there. The point is, you can go back to school whenever you want. While you're young, GO OUT AND HAVE ADVENTURES! You'll grow like never before.
college stinks./and it's a waste of time if you're not sure what you want to go for. i am almost done my freshman year..failing some classes...but whatever. college is making me poor. i wish i just moved away. you know. figure myself out. my mom is also always trying to run my life. tell your mom how you feel about the whole situation..she can tell you her imput on it. but it doesnt mean oyu have to follow what she says. your life. i mean. yeah she has supported you emotionally and financially your whole life. but yeah...
My advice: Get a job playing piano - try restaurants/clubs/ less fashionable but regular gigs - hospitals/daycare centres for people who need care failing that - clean toilets - its easy to get work - and flexible hours while you concentrate on being a legend.No joke - it can happpen
i've been having the same feelings as you--not sure, definitely want to do some traveling, etc... i know my parents are kinda not approving of my ideas and so i went online and looked up some colleges-i found this one- Reed College in Portland, Oregon-it's kinda far away from me, but i really liked it because it was so laid back, and small. but then i thought, hey, why not take a year or so off to relax, travel, joing a commune...i want to do so many things like that-and i feel like, not to sound rushed, but i want to do that before i go to college (if i do). definitely check out this article: www.princetonreview.com/college/research/articles/find/shouldyougo.asp the article shows smart ideas--but i suggest you read all the way through so that you get the entire message. it's a really good article. i've always wanted to do some traveling and adventuring, etc, and i think it would be a good way to stop, take a breath, and discover myself a little bit before rushing into things like college like people tend to do so carelessly these days. it's a lot of money, and time, and i think there are a lot of other things to life besides school and work and money that i want to do. so check out small colleges like reed, and always keep in mind taking a little time off despite what parents may say (believe me, i know what youre talking about there-yuck). and i'm going to stop talking now- hope you come to a decision soon, peace, victoria
