Leaving School

[Crown Royal]

Alright folks - so I have made the decision to finally leave school. I don't know if it will be permanent, but I know it will be a while before I do decide to come back.

It isn't grades - I am still in the running to make a 4.0 for the semester. I have just decided that I am here for all the wrong reasons. I want to prove to everyone how intelligent I am, but I have come to the realization that school isn't going to do that. I am comfortable in my cognitive ability now, and would prefer to get into the business of living life, something that school simply prohibits.

I am considering going back to my old job, where I was establishing a name for myself and have a very bright future, or entering another form of employment. I have considered military, but I want to know what all my options are. Someone suggested that I just figure out what I want and pursue it - the problem is, I don't WANT anything. This kinda goes in line with that whole sloth thing a few months ago. I really have few aspirations - I would like to be successful in whatever I do, I just don't have any major life goals (as far as profession is concerned).

I will now open the thread for what will inevitably be different reactions. Please, commence in:
a) Thrashing me for the decision
b) Giving helpful advice
or
c) Saying "You are young, you just need to figure out where you want to go and work hard to get there...."

Thanks,

SRG

 

[jksmith269]

Intresting. Don't know you or much about you but from Experience I spent years in the Navy and loved it got to do stuff that trying to do it as a civilian would cost thousands and thousands of dollars. I worked on F\A-18's and the time was thrilling and very maturing.... I would do it again

 

[WoodysGirl]

Well, it's your decision and your choice as to what direction you choose to take in life. So while I wouldn't quit school when I had several things standing in my way as obstacles, I would never down someone for saying they are.

My question to you is one that I ask myself and anyone else who are at a crossroads in their life. What's your passion?

 

[Crown Royal]

Well, it's your decision and your choice as to what direction you choose to take in life. So while I wouldn't quit school when I had several things standing in my way as obstacles, I would never down someone for saying they are.

My question to you is one that I ask myself and anyone else who are at a crossroads in their life. What's your passion?

And it really isn't obstacles - like I said, I am excelling this semester, and have been the last 3. I am quite capable - I just don't care for it.

See my profile - I am only passionate about football, philosophy, astronomy, history and backpacking. In that order......

 

[k19]

Above all do what you think will make you happy in the long run. Best advice I can give ya.

I went the Military route for 9 years and didn't turn out too bad but I wish I had stayed in school. An actual college degree combined with my Aviation experience would have gotten me alot further than I am now but never the less for the most part I am happy with life. I plan on going back to school when ever they renew our contract.

Don't spend your whole life doing something you arent passionate about or that doesnt make you happy becuase its the "in thing" to do or your chasing the dollars. Do something you love but have something to fall back on as well

 

[Chief]

Alright folks - so I have made the decision to finally leave school. I don't know if it will be permanent, but I know it will be a while before I do decide to come back.

It isn't grades - I am still in the running to make a 4.0 for the semester. I have just decided that I am here for all the wrong reasons. I want to prove to everyone how intelligent I am, but I have come to the realization that school isn't going to do that. I am comfortable in my cognitive ability now, and would prefer to get into the business of living life, something that school simply prohibits.

I am considering going back to my old job, where I was establishing a name for myself and have a very bright future, or entering another form of employment. I have considered military, but I want to know what all my options are. Someone suggested that I just figure out what I want and pursue it - the problem is, I don't WANT anything. This kinda goes in line with that whole sloth thing a few months ago. I really have few aspirations - I would like to be successful in whatever I do, I just don't have any major life goals (as far as profession is concerned).

I will now open the thread for what will inevitably be different reactions. Please, commence in:
a) Thrashing me for the decision
b) Giving helpful advice
or
c) Saying "You are young, you just need to figure out where you want to go and work hard to get there...."

Thanks,

SRG

I think college is sort of a necessary evil. I didn't learn anything in college that I use now ... I learned from actually working. I realize that's not the case with everyone. I hate the arrogant tone that permeates many college campuses.

I guess it depends on your long-term goals. You may have to go back to college to get where you want to be.

This job you are considering returing to sounds intriguing to me. If you have a bright future there and you enjoy it, then that sounds like the ticket.

I just get tired of people saying that education is the key to everything. Like Calvin Coolidge said, "there are a lot of educated derelicts."

 

[jacs]

school is for getting some great pootang but other then that its bad but that said you cant just quit youn need to finish what your started.

 

[Crown Royal]

I think college is sort of a necessary evil. I didn't learn anything in college that I use now ... I learned from actually working. I realize that's not the case with everyone. I hate the arrogant tone that permeates many college campuses.

I guess it depends on your long-term goals. You may have to go back to college to get where you want to be.

This job you are considering returing to sounds intriguing to me. If you have a bright future there and you enjoy it, then that sounds like the ticket.

I just get tired of people saying that education is the key to everything. Like Calvin Coolidge said, "there are a lot of educated derelicts."

FINALLY. I am not crazy!!!! College is a place to learn and get educated, NOT get job training. It isn't a tough job - just business. I actually have a rather good knack for the business world - I have never not succeeded there, and if not for a constant nag (COLLEGE), I would already be pretty far down the road to success.

I have no doubt that I can be successful in a number of careers I choose, regardless of my college education. Further, I don't rule out a return, but this also isn't a 'break' of sorts. I have been a student all my life, whether part time or full time. It's old - when I was a part time student, I had a semblance of a working life, but it has all but died out with my return to full time status. Perhaps someday I will feel the desire to return, but for now, I just want to learn about life, something I have seriously been neglecting for 21 years.

 

[WoodysGirl]

And it really isn't obstacles - like I said, I am excelling this semester, and have been the last 3. I am quite capable - I just don't care for it.

See my profile - I am only passionate about football, philosophy, astronomy, history and backpacking. In that order......

I wasn't suggesting you had obstacles, I was just mentioning that I did, but I chose a different course of action.

Anyway, K19 is right in that you should do what you feel you'll enjoy doing in the long run.

For me, my passion is writing. I get paid to write. Everything I do centers around how I can be compensated using my writing skills.

All of those things you enjoy doing, see how you can incorporate those into your life and be compensated at the same time. After deciding that, then you plan a course of action that will help you achieve your goals. It may very well be that you have to complete school, but at least you know what you're going to accomplish with that degree.

 

[Crown Royal]

school is for getting some great pootang but other then that its bad but that said you cant just quit youn need to finish what your started.

Sure I can - it's simple....you walk to the registrar's office, fill out a "Withdrawal" form, and you quit.

 

[joseephuss]

Looks like a college education would be very helpful if you pursued careers in your passions except back packing. I agree that college can be somewhat of a necessary evil. I use what I learned toward my degree in my current job. That is not the case with everyone. Nor is a degree always required. I didn't like college. I am not suited for academia. I enjoy learning, but am not into that type of structure of education. It helped to have a degree when getting a job, but I may have been able to lots of different things without one. Best of luck to you.

 

[Crown Royal]

Yeah, but my passions are also pretty outrageous, school or no.

Football - Dunno how school helps me there, don't even know what I could do to make it part of my career.
Philosophy - It takes getting a PhD before they even begin to take you seriously
Astronomy - 2+2=5, right?
History - Meh....prolly shouldn't have listed this as a passion...more of a hobby.
Backpacking - Perhaps I could become a guide - but I haven't done enough to show others how to....



You know, looking at this, I have discovered - my 'passions' blow. I mean, nothing in there is even near beneficial to me in the long run, and they are all rather unattainable.......

 

[WoodysGirl]

Yeah, but my passions are also pretty outrageous, school or no.

Football - Dunno how school helps me there, don't even know what I could do to make it part of my career.
Philosophy - It takes getting a PhD before they even begin to take you seriously
Astronomy - 2+2=5, right?
History - Meh....prolly shouldn't have listed this as a passion...more of a hobby.
Backpacking - Perhaps I could become a guide - but I haven't done enough to show others how to....



You know, looking at this, I have discovered - my 'passions' blow. I mean, nothing in there is even near beneficial to me in the long run, and they are all rather unattainable.......

Football - There are quite a few people who run the business side of football. Something to consider. I interviewed the Director for Community Relations in the Texans for an article when they first set up shop.
Philosopher - I imagine the amount of college to pursue a career in that would be a deterrent
Astronomer - see Philosopher
History - see Philosopher
Backpacking - Don't exactly need a degree, but some initiative.

Honestly, don't know what to tell you. You sound like an achiever, but you have no idea what to achieve. I can do alot of things and excel, but I always go back to writing as my foundation.

Maybe you should look into self-employment? Just a thought.

 

[BrAinPaiNt]

You love football...then there are plenty of avenues to consider.

Covering football, whether it is to get a job trying to be on radio, tv or the print media.

Working with a football team, whether it be in the office where you still get to be close to the sport, games and players....or maybe a job with the team in a sports training situation.

You like to backpack...maybe save up some money and go traveling in Europe, go rock climbing or hiking in the US.

Maybe take a short stint with the Peace Corps, maybe look into being a forest ranger, maybe join up with green peace and see the world.

So many things as a young man to do....only you can decide.

 

[Crown Royal]

You love football...then there are plenty of avenues to consider.

Covering football, whether it is to get a job trying to be on radio, tv or the print media.

Working with a football team, whether it be in the office where you still get to be close to the sport, games and players....or maybe a job with the team in a sports training situation.

You like to backpack...maybe save up some money and go traveling in Europe, go rock climbing or hiking in the US.

Maybe take a short stint with the Peace Corps, maybe look into being a forest ranger, maybe join up with green peace and see the world.

So many things as a young man to do....only you can decide.

Your post was terrific until I got to the Green Peace part. Durn activists.

 

[Banned_n_austin]

I hear the circus is accepting applications.

 

[joseephuss]

Yeah, but my passions are also pretty outrageous, school or no.

Football - Dunno how school helps me there, don't even know what I could do to make it part of my career.
Philosophy - It takes getting a PhD before they even begin to take you seriously
Astronomy - 2+2=5, right?
History - Meh....prolly shouldn't have listed this as a passion...more of a hobby.
Backpacking - Perhaps I could become a guide - but I haven't done enough to show others how to....



You know, looking at this, I have discovered - my 'passions' blow. I mean, nothing in there is even near beneficial to me in the long run, and they are all rather unattainable.......

Sports management. I think anyone can get into this with a degree or without. You just have to start out at the bottom and work your way up. I knew a guy in college getting his degree in it and was interning for the Denver Nuggets. His degree work helped, but mostly it was his persistence in contacting as many people in the business as possible. Don't know what became of him, so I can't tell you that everything worked out.

 

[phildominator]

Here are my questions:

1. How much longer till you graduate?
2. This is for undergrad, right? Not a Master's or Phd?
3. Instead of outright quitting, maybe just take a year/semester off? That way, you leave your options open and it will be much simpler if you want to return to school. It might only take a couple weeks or months away and you'll find your source of reinvigoration and dedication.
4. Does your school offer a study abroad program that you might be interested in? From my colleagues, I've heard that study abroad programs are much more about being abroad than studying. Again, this option gives you the choice to 'get out there' and still be enrolled in school. After a year away, if school is still not the answer, you can still leave.
5. Have you exhausted looking at all the different majors or clubs/organizations that your school may offer? I was a Poli Sci major for three years and watched my grades steadily decline, only matched by my waning desire for Poli Sci. One quarter, I decided to look at every course offered by my university and took them, regardless of it counting towards any major. Long story short, I ended up finding two majors that I really loved and ended up becoming one of those nerds I used to mock. Sociology and Urban Planning have become more than just a major, but these topics seriously consume my thoughts and news attention span, when I'm not an obsessed Cowboys phreak.

If you're interested in backpacking, maybe you want to look at being an environmental engineer, geographer, cartographer, archaeologist?

I agree that school isn't for everyone, however, I highly recommend you suck it up and get that degree. I don't think having a degree has ever hurt anyone. I agree, a degree doesn't absolutely translate into money or intelligence.

However, by not having a degree, you're automatically fighting an uphill battle against people that do, in the 'normal' situation for competing for jobs.

Hey, we're on Cowboyszone, let's bring some football analogy into it...You're Demarcus Ware and you're a better football player than Shawne Merriman. However, because you don't have that degree, ie play at a big-name school, all the draft experts question your ability to make it. Demarcus has to fight THAT much harder than everyone else to gain the same level of credibility.

A college degree demonstrates to employers that you have the long-term attention span, commitment and diligence to work towards and achieve a goal. Quite often, it doesn't matter what your major is, so long as you just have a damn degree.

Hopefully some of the things I've pointed out flush out some new avenues to pursue. If not, please elaborate more on your situation and myself, and demonstrated by others here, we're glad to be of assistance. Biggest point of advice I can offer is to keep your options open. Don't slam any doors shut unless you have to. I also recommend talking to your counselor. That's what they get paid and trained to do. I'm sure your situation is one that they have experience with in finding a happy solution.

 

[junk]

May I suggest brushing up your resume and sending it here:

Attn: HR Recruiter
Diageo North America, Inc.
801 Main Street
Norwalk, CT 06850

or browsing here:

http://www.diageo.com/careers/index.html

In case you didn't know, Diageo is the parent company of a particular beverage called "Crown Royal".

 

[Rocky]

Maybe you should look into self-employment? Just a thought.

That's my take as well. I drifted about for several years when I was your age and beyond, primarily because I lacked direction. Heck, I couldn't even get my major figured for several years. But I would suggest staying with school and getting some degree-- any degree-- while you are already on the path. You can get that degree with an eye towards self-employment as I did. I think passion for your chosen business is important but viability is its equal. I could love my business immensely(and I do) but if it wasn't something that I could truly capitalize on, it would be a short-lived affair.

I checked your profile and I think it says you're 22. If so, don't fret because I didn't "find myself" until I was almost 30. Life's experience will teach you a great deal and things have a way working themselves out, believe it or not.