Leaving School

[Rocky]

I hear the circus is accepting applications.

I applied once for a certain freak position. They never called me back.

 

[Hoov]

Crown, I went to college right after high school, absolutely hated it and stopped. I had no idea what i wanted to do, worked several jobs - mostly in construction field, became sort of a jack of all trades with that, but eventually decided to go back to school. took a while to narrow in on something, also my days in college were different as i was older than a lot of students and i was married with a young daughter, so not much campus fun for me..working and school and family. Anyway, finished school and working in my feild forabout 5 years, my job is boring but i do have the option of doing consulting and working in mant different healthcare settings, good pay and good benefits.
Funny thing is i enjoy remodeling old homes more than my job in healthcare, after 7-8 years of school. right now i worh 3 days (10 hour days) and i make decent money and have benefits for myself and my daughter, and the other days i do what i like - remodfeling/construction. i am also now investing in old homes that i can get a deal on, fixing them and then acting as landlord so in the future i wont have to have a "job" but can just buy and manage properties.

Anyway - my point is, you can always go back to school again if you so desire. and don't think any of it is wasted time as things have a way of becoming useful to you later, ie. all those years of working construction will be valuable to me as landlord/property manager. things will come together for you, but finding what you really desire or want out of life is the most important thing. you have to have a dream and pursue that dream, its ok that you don't know now, life is an adventure, follow your heart and it will come to you.

 

[Reality]

Not trying to influence you either way .. the one thing I can say is that when you quit school, the chances of you ever returning are very low. The longer you take off, the less chance you'll ever return. I'd say don't make a hasty decision that you may later be unable or unwilling to correct.

 

[Jon88]

I'm in school, and I can empathize with a lot of what you are saying, but I wouldn't quit. This is something that will pay dividends down the road. Take a semester off (like me) and give yourself a break. Then, collect yourself, and get started again in late August.

 

[Cbz40]

I agree with Reality......Before making a decision this important take the summer break and see how you feel after a few weeks of rest and relaxation. The yellow light is blinking, proceed with caution, not haste.

Remember, What ever career you decide to pursue that college degree will make it much easier to attain. If nothing else it will get you through the front door.

CR, From the few time we have had discussions, reading your post, and receiving those special DPs you sent me, I feel sure you are an individual that will set high goals and will achieve each and everyone of them.

What ever you decide my young friend......I wish you the best.

 

[StanleySpadowski]

If your serious about leaving school, depending on how far along you are with your education and major, see what your school offers in the way of bumping credits around to get at least an associates.

It looks so much better to most potential employers.

I would rather hire a high school graduate who's bounced around for three years that someone who's had three years of college with nothing to show. An associates implies to me a change in priorities, no papers except a mountain of IOUs to the student loan people implies a quitter. I'd be worried how long before that person quit on me.


If I'd venture a guess about you, I'd say that you're within two semesters of graduation. The feelings of quiting are much more common that you'd probably believe when students first face the realities of facing the real world in their chosen field. You wouldn't believe how many job applicants I've seen that are within a few credits of their degree who've faced issues and never completed their work. There are many complex psychological issues with this that I'm ill-trained to explain.

If you only have a few semesters left, it's better to say F worrying about the grades (I could give a rat's arse about someone's GPA, grad schools are the only ones who seem to), party like there's no tomorrow and enjoy your final year of relative freedom. Do enough to earn the sheepskin and then decide what the future holds for you.

As people have mentioned earlier, many people never use their degree in the field it was intended. My father scrounged the easiest degree he could find (psych) later in life simply because he needed "a degree" even to meet the requirements for his true calling with the Department of Agriculture after retiring from the military.

 

[Gibby!]

Reality is right. Quitting school then going back is tough. I am mid thirties and going back to school now. It's a lot tougher. Granted you can do a lot without a degree, and even become extremely successful without one. But the chances are very slim that you will be very successful in the distant future.

I started college did ok then decided I wanted to live a little. Joined the military. While it was fun and they pushed education as hard as they could, finding time while working swings and mids and 12's on the weekend is something they don't quite tell you about at the recruiters office. Do I regret my decision? Hell no. But think about it, your heavily invested (not monetarily, time wise.) work for a little bit longer. Two or three years is not that long. Take some blow off classes, relax a little, find some time to do your thing between classes. When your older, changing your mind (or career) is going to be a LOT tougher. Blow a few years in the military, civil service, hell find a mountain, become familiar with it and hire yourself out to be a guide... Do it then. Don't blow the time you have already invested now. Just get it out of the way.

 

[Mamba]

Crown, i've been down that road. Personally, I push for education and think you should finish. However, it is not necessary to be successful. It does make for a bigger struggle though.
A few years ago I was going for Computer Science and was where you were at. The worst thing happened to me at the time (but it oddly was the best thing). Financial Aid had a screw up and I was asked to pay the tuition on my own. I dropped for the semester and started working (construction). I had time to reflect and try to figure out what I wanted to do. I realized that i didn't want to work construction (lol) and I didn't want to be a CS Major.
When I returned I changed to a History Major and felt refreshed and couldn't be happier. I realized in the time off that education was important to me (personally) and came to the conclusion that students do in fact burn out. The break was the best thing and now I actually look forward to school and couldn't be happier. I recommend that you take a semester off and not much more because it gets harder and harder to come back. However, if you feel that something is lacking in your life then try and fulfill that void.
I believe that we always feel the "grass is greener on the other side" and that isn't true so I say tighten up and finish school. It will pay off in the end and you will be thankful for staying. This is just my personal opinion. If you ever need someone to talk to IM me on AIM it's on my profile.

Peace, Eli.

 

[jterrell]

Ya know following your posts on here for a few months I suspected w ehad a few things in common and it turns out we do.

I was a Philosophy minor and really have acquired an interest in history, just not us history.

You seem to be at a crossroads and the great thing is nothing is final. You cna always go back to school if you so choose. The good grades will allow you back in almost anywhere.

College is a pretty crappy way to prepare for a job in all honesty but it is one heck of a good time.

You will lose pretty much all your freedom if you go military as an enlisted guy. I'd definitely suggest getting the 4 year degree out of the way if military is the final goal.

If you stay I'd suggest majoring in philosophy. Philosophy grads have top 5 scores on the GMAT, GRE and LSAT(all the major post grad exams for anyone who doesnt already know). Philosophy is really something I miss a great deal because it really does open up your mind and offer mental exercise. A lot of businesses hire Philosophy grads now but it has a bad stigma of being a degree that only lends to teaching.

 

[Crown Royal]

Ya know following your posts on here for a few months I suspected w ehad a few things in common and it turns out we do.

I was a Philosophy minor and really have acquired an interest in history, just not us history.

You seem to be at a crossroads and the great thing is nothing is final. You cna always go back to school if you so choose. The good grades will allow you back in almost anywhere.

College is a pretty crappy way to prepare for a job in all honesty but it is one heck of a good time.

You will lose pretty much all your freedom if you go military as an enlisted guy. I'd definitely suggest getting the 4 year degree out of the way if military is the final goal.

If you stay I'd suggest majoring in philosophy. Philosophy grads have top 5 scores on the GMAT, GRE and LSAT(all the major post grad exams for anyone who doesnt already know). Philosophy is really something I miss a great deal because it really does open up your mind and offer mental exercise. A lot of businesses hire Philosophy grads now but it has a bad stigma of being a degree that only lends to teaching.

Crown Royal = Philosophy Major at the University of Texas @ Arlington











BTW - thanks everyone for the input - I have spent several days now putting serious consideration into my options. I have 2 weeks until exams, and a summer to consider.

I truly appreciate everyone's input! Again, thank you all!