DawgTalkers.net Forums DawgTalk Tailgate Forum Blowing off some steam!

Well, it's time for my weekly rant thread, so here goes...

You know what really ticks me off? As Im sitting here doing my college work, I can't stand it. I'm 20 years old, and I don't even know what I want to do. I have approximately 40 credit hours under my belt, but they don't really go to any certain degree because I can't make up my freekin mind what I want to do. I have dug myself into a nice big chunk of debt for nothing!

There are four things I want in life:

A nice family
A nice house
A nice car
A good paying job.

I don't aspire to change the world. Hell, if I can change one or two peoples lives, I will have been a success. All I want to do is have fun, make decent money, and watch the browns kick the living crap out of their opposition on Sunday.

I guess I'm ready to dump this school stuff and make a decent living. I can tell you this much... Three more years of school is not in my future. I absolutely hate school.

Has anyone been in this situation? What did you decide? Should I just give up and go sit outside with a will work for food sign?

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Go Browns!!!

Finish school, unless you don't want those things you listed.

The world sucks, no one will give you a well paying job without a degree. You can't get a nice car or a nice house without a degree, ESPECIALLY with a family.

My Advice: Finish school, then go to grad school.

Cal, it's a joke

I guess I need to check out one of those "career evaluators." Maybe that will help me figure out what I want to do.

In today's standards, the only way you will get what you want is if you either A) Get a college degree or B) Start your own business. I've known several people who had years and years of experience in a field but without a college degree. When it came time for them to find a new employer, they couldn't find any jobs even though they had the experience because the job kept going to the young kid with the college degree. It's kind of sad actually that they will pick an unqualified college grad over an overqualified high school grad who has been working in that field for years. Well, either that or become a garbage man in NYC to start earning 100k a year....but good luck with that since there is a giant waiting list for that job.

It's either work a lot now, or work a lot later. If you put some time and effort into school, then you will have a lot easier job, making a lot easier chunk of money. Or you can work your can off the rest of your life, and not make quite as much.

You need to stop expecting things to get handed to you. It's not easy. The best advice would be to set your goals and stick to them. Pick your major, and get it done. Stop copping out because it's not as easy as you would of hoped it to be.

Hey Con,

Do you think it HAS to be a bachelors, or do you think an associates or even a certification would do?

Seriously, stay in school... you may not know what you want to do yet, and that's okay but your education is important on so many levels. Lifetime earnings, job options and opportunities, and becoming a well-rounded person are just a few. As you progress, areas of interest will begin to appear. Hint: Find something you're good at that you really enjoy. Do that and the money and all the other things will come later.

Cal, I was thinking about taking a year off and just figuring out what it is that I want to do. Do you think that would be a bad thing? I just feel like Im wasting so much money with what I am doing right now. I'm so BURNT OUT with school. (Part of that may have to do with mild A.D.D. )

This board is awesome. So many veterans of life!!! I'm just a pup

I'm 25 and I'm a junior here at OSU. But I sailed in that ship you're in for quite some time.

When I was 20 I had no idea what I wanted. I knew I wanted to be able to support myself and maybe a family one day---I suppose thats the ultimate goal of everyone.

From my perspective, the reason you take so many classes in college is to hopefully find something for you. I believe its called an exploratory period. During this time its important to take a wide spectrum of classes to find what you want to do.

I started as a business major and HATED it---so I left school and took a few years off. I got a job, got a place, and did the whole "work a crappy job, get drunk, hang out with your buddies, chase the chickies, what-have-you."

But it got old, and pretty soon, I knew I didn't want that life. Didn't want the factory job, didn't want to just learn a trade.

Went back to school and took some science classes---and I found that I really enjoyed Biology. Took more science classes and found my niche.

To me its all about experience, you've got to get your feet wet in the field before you know if its your thing.

So I guess my advise would be to pursue another major, talk to an advisor about expanding the scope of your curriculum, or take a year off and get a "real" job.

College is a huge waste of money, you spend a whole lot of money just finding what you want to do---but once you find it, it will have proven to be worthwhile.

If you need to take time off to try and see about a real job, go ahead it may prove to be your thing.

Just find something you're interested in. I found Biology because I found myself watching a lot of National Geographic and Discovery and stuff when I was at home---so it became apparent that that was my thing. Take a long look at what you find interesting and pursue that.

And remember that money isn't everything--you can't think that having a high paying job is going to be the key to being happy. But also understand that without enough money you aren't going to be happy either.

When considering a field of employment, try to find your own personal comfort zone. What is good for you.


--DERDEN

I would recommend not getting out of school ... I've seen statistics that show that once you leave school, you tend not to go back.

You need to find a field your interested in ... that would help with the "burned out" aspect. You should also probably find a sport or hobby to get involved with. I found that playing basketball and hockey helped relieve a lot of stress for several years that I was in college. Plus they were CHEAP, and didn't cause me to burn through college funds like a nasty drinking habit would.

You probably just need to motivate yourself. But up pictures of hot women and cars up on your wall, and put a caption under them that says, "these are unattainable, unless you get a college degree". Once you get focused on actually DOING it, it's a lot easier to do it.

I was the first college graduate in generations of my family. I had to pay for my college entirely by myself. But I wanted to be to first to do it and that helped motivate me.

One important thing to consider is your student loans. I don't know how much you have taken out but you are typically expected to begin payment about nine months after you stop taking classes. That is plenty of time if you graduate and get a good paying job. But if you dont then you will be burdened with monthly payments.

While forbearance is an option it hurts your credit.

Also once you have taken the time to realize what you want to do and go back to school when you do graduate finally graduate your student loans will not have the nine month cushion, you will only have six months.

My advice is to take advantage of the resources you have, ya us Browns fans can give you advice but none of it is as good as your own academic advisor. Sit down with him/her and talk about things you can do at your school that will help you figure out what you want to do. Maybe sit in on a few classes, maybe follow a few proffesionals in careers that seem interesting.

Good luck!!

Nobody on this board could possibily dislike college as much as I did...but I finished. And it was the smartest thing I ever did.

Don't drop out. Finish off your degree. Trust me.

oh and one other thing, if you start not going to class consistelntly and are in danger of flunking a course. withdraw. take the time to withdraw from any and all courses which you would otherwise flunk. work with the university to try and get Withdraw passing, but otherwise still withdraw. Otherwise the effect on your GPA will hinder your ability to go back and return to school and eventually graduate. Most schools require a cumulative GPA of 2.0 to graduate.

I know that if you are burnt out now, and itrs just midsemester that finals seem far away but hey summer will be here soon enough why not get a really cool internship for this summer. It will give you something to motvate you the rest of the semester and a break from that burnt out feeling this summer.

j/c

Be cool, stay in school... (I sound like Scruff McGruff.)

Just finish up, the rest will fall into place. Don't rush anything, we're still young. You're not old till you're GM's age!

If you drop out, you'll regret it for the rest of your life. believe me. And if you want to go back later and finish, it will only get harder with a family and such.

Hang in there, bud!

~OnB

I'd say stick it out if you can. Get your general ed classes out of the way while you're figuring out your direction. Maybe talk to a doctor about medication to help with the A.D.D. If it's really mild, then just suck it up and concentrate. You're in a great spot right now. It may not seem like it, but trust me, you are. Take full advatanage of your educational opportunities while you can. You'll have plenty of time to work once you have. Trust me when I say the last think you want right now is a job your not happy in or suited for but need to take out of necessity. You can take time off after you graduate and you'll feel much better about it. JMHO.

Also wanted to add that I hated school until I figured out what I wanted to do, and then walked away with a lot of useful info, great friends, a 3.75gpa and a degree and never looked back.

Definitely stay in school. You just need to find something you'd like to do. I was like you my first year of college. I just wanted to have a decent life and didn't care what I took. I went from education to pre-law to criminology(thank you CSI ) to International Business to Econ to Accounting to finally finance just in my first 2 years. I had to look through each of those to find what I wanted. I like Math but also want to apply it. I hate calculus though I wasn't bad at it. Finance made sense.

I can tell you that the opportunity to go to college is one you should cherish. It will help you to have a nice house, a nice car, and a nice paying job. It's not so much important for the nice family part. Many people for financial reasons don't get the chance to go to college and end up settling for jobs that they don't want or don't see themselves doing for the next 40 years. I'm getting ready to graduate in 1 week from OSU with a 3.9 and it's taken me forever to find a job. I find out if I got the job I really wanted tomorrow so everyone please keep me in mind on that one. The point is that it's hard to find a job and college provides you with so many invaluable tools to get started in the "real world" No one on my mom's side of the family had the chance to go to college. That whole side is coming to my graduation b/c they've never seen one before. The feeling upon graduating is worth sticking it out through all the tests and garbage you'll have to put up with.

I'd say after 4 years that I am really blessed to have had the chance to go to college. I've met most of my friends, gone to all the OSU football and basketball games, have gotten a top-notch education, and had the best time of my life. I dread leaving to go back to Cincinnati next week. College is such a great opportunity and a chance to have fun that you'll never have again. Many people don't even get that chance so I highly recommend sticking it out and finding something for you. It may surprise you what you end up taking but I believe there is something for everyone. Good luck man

My apologies if this question has been asked and answered... but:

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I guess I'm ready to dump this school stuff and make a decent living.

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Mind if I ask what you see yourself doing to make a decent living after you dump school?

Not to stray from the thread, but I have to say---4 years of college doesn't guarantee a good job; and likewise, not going to college doesn't mean you won't be able to make good money.

I've definitely seen this go both ways. Peolple getting a degree that are stuck working as waiters or tradesman.

And folks who never went to school pulling in 6 figures a year.

"...Cal, I was thinking about taking a year off and just figuring out what it is that I want to do. Do you think that would be a bad thing? I just feel like Im wasting so much money with what I am doing right now. I'm so BURNT OUT with school. (Part of that may have to do with mild A.D.D. "

Seems to me that you are already taking the time off...if you don't know what you want to do.

If I could do it over again I would take a couple of business courses and then learn the plumbing trade. I would start my own plumbing business / I'd train some young guys and a couple of gals and have them work for me and specialize in after hour projects and emergency work. Train the lady plumbers to wear the low rider jeans with the "tramp stamp" showing above their butt crack!

Besides plumbers will always be an integral part of life in general under we start "do it yourself colostomy" procedures.

Life sucks, wear a helmet.


Wish I had some better advice, but that's the best I have to offer. I skipped school, being a high school dropout and all, and went into the Navy where all I learned was ...I'm not even sure what I learned there.

Figure out what it is you enjoy doing, then figure out what career most closely parallels that and then start taking courses that are suitable.

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All I want to do is have fun, make decent money, and watch the browns kick the living crap out of their opposition on Sunday.

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Well I guess two out of three isn't bad.

Just kidding....don't hurt me.

You're only 20 years old, so it's not unusual to not know what you want to do the rest of your life. Heck, there are people alot older than you who still don't know, because they are changing careers in mid life.

You have plenty of time to figure it out. Be patient.

Whenever I get the feeling that I don't know what direction to take in life. I just watch the Big Lebowski.

It usually fixes the problem.

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Wish I had some better advice, but that's the best I have to offer. I skipped school, being a high school dropout and all, and went into the Navy where all I learned was ...I'm not even sure what I learned there.

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That's the exact path I took. Not really what I want for my kids though. I was fortunate to have a job where I was paid well and had lots of oppurtunity for overtime. Jobs like mine are hard to come by and if you don't have a degree it is very hard to get your foot in the door in most good companies.

Stay in school! If nothing else get a degree in business administration or something else that is vanilla like that. It can open doors for you that might be closed otherwise.

Figure out what you like to do in life and then figure out how to get paid for it... because your 'job' should be something that you can do for free and be happy...

All of these replies offer good advice but if you look half decent,have game of any kind, and have no scrupples then find an ugly college grad with a degree , or a trust fund, and shack up with her .

Yes, I've been there and I quit school. WOrked for years went back to school it was much easier to deal with school BS after dealing with office BS. However I still haven't gotten my degree and it keeps me from getting a better paying job in my field.

I did 7 years of college though I enjoyed it I wouldn't want to go back anytime soon.

I got through 2 years then lost interest . Got fortunate and landed a job that pays o.k. but more importantly I love the job. Not everyone is cut out for college . I joined up, partied down and as I say things worked out. Could have been an easier road but it wouldn't have been nearly as exciting . Not the life I want for my daughter but we have a do as I say not as I did rule. In the end it is all about what makes you happy. If you hate to get up and leave the house to go to work then eventually even a great paying job is not enough .

Stay in school BBS...it isn't for nothing, and once one leaves school, it is tough getting back into the school frame of mind.

I was reading Liberal Arts degrees are sought after because whoever hires a person with one knows the person has a well rounded education and isn't tied into one discipline.

Part of going to school is finding what you want. In my experience, most people don't key right in on a career path directly out of HS. College is part of what leads them there.

Every course you take will benefit you in some way somewhere down the road.

Companies are looking for people who see it through, and getting a degree is seeing it through even if it is the old favorite 'basket weaving".

Stick it out man. It will pay off somewhere down the road. It will help lead to the nice house,car, and job.

Family, that is up to you....school doesn't help in that department....unless of course you meet a nice pre-med major and sweep her off her feet. But do it now...it is much harder after she becomes a Dr..

I want to thank everyone for the advice... The only thing that interests me right now is re-modeling homes. I've recently been looking around for a cheap house to fix up for myself... That really sparks my interest, but could I really make a career of that? Another downfall with that is the fact that I don't have any experience at all with that kind of stuff. I didn't even take classes for construction in high school...

Hey man, hang in there. I am 29 and just now getting back in school after some time off. But in my case I hurt my back and we had kids or else I would be done. When I first started I didn't know what I wanted to do either. I switched majors 2 times before I settled with business.

I agree with ya. I want a good job and I want a house for my family. I am working hard to accomplish that goal and it will be awsome when it finally happens!!

Stay In School !!!!!

Big shot, it took me SIX yrs. to graduate, by the time I did I had Two degrees, Crimianl Justice and Sociology. Also spent 3 yrs. in the military prior to that, so I was 25 yrs. old by the time I graduated (even failed out once from partying to hard ). I had no idea what I wanted to do, that's why it took me so long, but I stuck it out.

I would not have gotten the job I have today without my degree, and it has NOTHING to do with what I got my degree in!!! I sell construction material, retaining wall block to be specific, but what mattered was that I HAD THAT PIECE OF PAPER THAT SAID I GRADUATED!

As many others have allready said, that little piece of paper opens doors that would otherwise be shut, sometimes it's not fair, but then..... neither is life.....

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Companies are looking for people who see it through, and getting a degree is seeing it through even if it is the old favorite 'basket weaving".

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Listen to Peen........he may not know football , but he got that right.