School or my own way?

So, any of you all who've read my journal, you're aware that I have a lot of decisions at hand.

One of my big ones right now is school.

I went to a community college straight out of high school and ended up moving to art school after a year. When I figured out that really wasn't my niche and I wanted a real education, I moved back to the community college.
All is good and I'm doing well, but I'm slowly coming to the conclusion that I don't have a clue what I want to do, or even if I want to have a job that requires a degree.

I love learning and doing my own independent studies. And as childish as this may sound, I feel like school is getting in the way of that. It's taking up a huge part of my time (as it should), but I feel like it's stealing from who I want to be and who I see myself becoming. When I gain an interest in something, I want to devote as much of my time as I can to that, but with school the way it is, I can't. I have to set my personal interests aside in order to do this degree that is supposed to be what everyone is supposed to do with life.

On top of that, I'm paying completely with loans. Had I gotten grants or scholarships, I wouldn't even worry about it. School is paid for, why not? But it's not. It's only raking up debt with every semester that I go. All the while, I don't even see myself using a degree. Ever. I really don't have much of a desire to. As of now, at least.

But my question is, does anyone have any advice? Personal stories? Success or fail?
Any outside views or experiences are appreciated here!

 

Higher education isn't about learning, it's about obtaining certification.

 

Awww-bunnie--I care. I would say that a decent education is good to have just for the knowledge it'self. I went to college for what seems now like a couple 'a minutes--really about a year total ,but I wish I had gone for 4 years. I flopped around 'till I was 28 and blundered into what I have really enjoyed the last 43 years---but I was lucky to do so. I had some shit jobs along the way. What I have found out is that if you can work for yourself,no matter what you decide on --it's very freeing mentally. I have never thought about firing myself!! The money can be a problem --as you say. I've always heard that to find something you REALLY like to do-the money will take care of it'self. Good luck deciding---------just make yourself happy in what you do. Not much help here ,I guess----

 

May I ask what you do for a living scratcho?

 

right. and for what? I really don't know what on earth I would want to be certified in at this point, ya know?

I just talked to my mom about it and she's all panicy cause she doesn't want me to quit. No real argument except that she didn't go to college.

I want to learn but I want to do it on my own terms right now.

 

Follow your heart--it's your life,by doggies!

 

And that certification is what matters, when you're looking to get places.

You can also do lots of great learning along the way, if you want. Or you can skim through and get certification. The second way is kind of a waste.

 

Well that's a personal matter and no one can decide that except for you.
But I will say that certification in something, in ANYTHING, is far better than no certification at all.
You don't want to remain an unskilled laborer all your life, working jobs that are normally reserved for 16 year olds.

Your age says you are 20.
How much school do you have left? 3 years? 4?

At the longest you'll have a bachelor's degree when you are 24. That is incredibly young. After school you'll have massive amounts of time to learn, or be independent.
The thing about a degree is that it never goes away.

 

Had many jobs from banking to installing dashboards on Henry Ford's zombie treadmill. Been a roofer and roofing contractor since'67 and have always loved it.

 

Do what makes you happy, whether it be for the short term or the long term. You can always go back to school later in life, if you decide you want to.

 

that's the thing though. I'm a perfectionist. When I'm in school, I have very little time to truly follow my heart and look into what I find interest in. Especially when I have to take classes that have nothing to do with that in order to receive that certification. Granted, it can be worth it, but if I'm loosing myself and not able to follow my heart because I'm doing what society demands is necessary, doesn't that defeat the purpose?

 

Time goes on by faster than the young can realize---4 years is nothing--nothing at all. If you spend 4 years getting a good education-you won't be sorry-why would you? You will look back on those years and realize just how fast they went. But again---follow your heart.

 

I bloody care!

But I'm not sure how helpful I can be; you see I work in construction, and have done since I was a teen. Regardless of your career though, you'll end up doing courses, having to pass exams and even doing course work. So perhaps, until you know what you want to do, you might continue into higher learning?

Alternative answer: Drop everything, go on a cruise!

 

Yep, so true. Employers want to see that you can handle the load and that you can commit to a job/4 year degree. What you studied isn't always as important as the degree itself.

Given the way things are these days, realistically your question should be, "School or school bus driver?"

 

in the future education is gonna get more expensive and jobs are gonna be harder to find

i'm not saying don't quit formal education, cos gods know having to do something that is making ya miserable is no way to spend a life, just saying that toughing it out now if ya can might not be the worst thing in the world :mickey:

 

I would be sorry if I owe the bank $600 a month on top of everything else. Here, the policy is that you pay $50 a month per loan you take out to pay school. I'm not even halfway done and at this point, I already owe $300 a month.

 

Not necessarily. There are many jobs up here I would love to have and branch out from. There's several cafe's I would love. Bookstores. Hell, I would be totally happy with simply working at a book store the rest of my life.

Not all jobs that don't require a degree are completely miserable and looked down on.

 

But consider the income level that degree will enable you to obtain.
You have to look at education as an investment.

 

I agree to a point, I have a lot of friend's with very fine degrees (History, languages, math) that don't have a job simply because there are no places open.

In contrast I've worked my way up my job to the point where at 22 I often have to attend meetings wearing a tie and can afford a house, car and holidays. All without a single debt.

However, men do have it easier on the career front.