So I've become another college drop out statistic. (Edison: apartment, how much)

[dhanu86]

Originally Posted by CuCullin

So, GF is graduating in May (holy crap - WAY sooner than I thought!), went to county first, got her degree there, now is getting her bs. No biggie.

Of course, I'm a college dropout statistic too - worked for me

My grandfather dropped out in 8th grade and has run a successful masonry/ plumbing construction business for over 50 years but he's a very hard worker 78 and still working in the sun with his hands because he likes waking up early to work, always driving the newest devilles and buicks even in his old age. He doesn't even use contracts, never has because in his southern town a man's word is gold because if he doesn't pay his reputation will suffer. I just admire this kind of work ethic, there's fulfillment and integrity.

My own father doesn't have any degree from America but owns a multimillion dollar I worked there a couple years. I look at my uncles and people I know with degrees and I don't have to much respect for most of them except a doctor in the family. My mom dropped out of h.s. and has had a million jobs she's always been poor but has lived a very exciting life. Recently she landed a salary job that I think is fulfilling for her. I have a cousin with 4 degrees age 34 and he has no career, lol. He learns for the sake of learning and rents part of a house, his life is pretty nice he makes money teaching. My aunt has a masters and is now working on PhD, she's only doing that so she can get benefits because her back is messed up and she can't work. She never made much money, she might as well not have an education maybe she would be smarter if she didn't.

[EEEPNJ]

Originally Posted by EB2

I agree with this completely, being a college student. However, that last sentence, I don't. I'm bombarded by papers, studying, exams, etc, and I'm only attending a CC for the time being. On top of that, I work...and somewhere (somehow) I find the time to squeeze in one or two meals, and a few hours of sleep.

When I was in college FT (back when dinosaurs roamed the earth in the late 80's...) I was taking 18 credits, pulling straight A's, working as a waitress/bartender MANY hours a week (anyone go to Good & Plenty's or Down Under in Hoboken? I probably know you! LOL!), paying many of my family's bills and volunteering at a local hospital. It's all what you CHOOSE to do with your time.

[dhanu86]

Originally Posted by stevemorse

sorry your dropping out, how about a trade school? May I ask why? I find this sad, I like you and your posts so this is a little sad. So what do you do and what are you planning to do? Did you need to go to college. I graduated Seton Hall with 3.8 and did nothing with my life but get high then get sober. SO soberity is an accomplishment, but basically I agree with your posts, parents dont spoil your kids with your money even if you have tons of it. You kid will wind up with no direction in life like me. Tell them you have money and invested for them when they are 40 not 15!!!

I plan to get a parttime job and enjoy myself. Something I haven't done since highschool. In free time I will pursue my money making ideas which I never had time for going to school. I never had money handed to me everything I do comes out of my savings. My GPA is 3.5 [or was now that I'll be failing 6 courses this semester]. I felt a bit bad about ditching my teachers, but I don't think they give a damn anyway. I feel free for the first time.

[EEEPNJ]

Originally Posted by dhanu86

My problem with this 4 hours of class, 20 hours of nothing to do but homework is that those 20 hours everyday gets old real fast, I'm use to actually doing stuff with my day. But I feel like a moron many days. I had to write an essay 4 pages on one of 20 articles. I read a few of them to choose one. The most interesting one to me was "candy in the ancient world" so I tried to write an essay on it. I find myself sitting infront of MSword and I'm wondering what the heck can I write about this article in four pages. I had to use other references to help me but gees. Electives can be a killer. Why can't a degree just consist of learning related material and learning it well? Feels like a major waste of time almost like a joke. I took this class before in another school but D doesnt transfer. So the 20 other hours are so discouraging.

I have to tell you - my advice would be to suck it up and do the parts that bore the crap out of you too. Why? Because REAL life will be like that too.

If you get a FT job now you'll see how 'exciting' that can be.

[EEEPNJ]

A college degree does not equal success... but not having one can certainly hinder it.
If you are more of an entrepreneurial person - with resources to encourage that - because there is not much lending for start ups going on today - then it can work for you.

Nowadays, having a BS is similar to having a HS diploma in times past - especially in our area - but without one - many places won't even open the door for you.

[Alex07860]

From my own experience I must tell you that you should stay in school, in the long term is better to have that diploma than been w/o it. I graduated HS at 16 and had scholarships to a few colleges & universities, but been the genius that I was I decided to take a couple of years off first to work & explore what I wanted to do, I started my own business and was doing good but in the end I found myself doubting my choice and if I wanted to be doing this for the rest of my life and my answer was no, so I went back to school but it was so much harder to try to stay focus, life had become more complicated w/ responsabilities and more complexed in general, so IMO stay in school.

P.S. I should've listened to my mom, she told me "Stay in school or you're going to regret it" and Mom is always right.

[dhanu86]

Originally Posted by HavetoSay

You are over 18, I presume, so therefore, you are an adult. It seems like you may be passing the blame onto your parents for your failed attempts to finish college. You need to make decisions and take responsibility for yourself at this point in your life. If you haven't found something you are passionate about outside of college that will make you a decent living for the rest of your working life, you might want to finish that college degree (again, don't waste time on somethng that won't get you a good job).

Nothing wrong w/ going through the community college -- maybe even transfer from there to a 4-year program. Too many drop out and have regrets later (my BIL could not find a decent job for 2 years b/c he didn't have a degree even though he had the necessary experience). If you're not ready for it, that's ok too -- but set a timeframe to get back in, especially before you start your own family.

As I said I've dropped out 2 times before. The first time after freshman year, 2nd time after just hating school and wanting to work, and now after experiencing that Universities are no better. How is it I get a D in English 101 freshmen year, then transfer to another community college and get an A+ in English 101 working even less hard?? Professors some are great some are horrrrrible. Online classes suck as well, half people who take them drop or fail them. I don't want to be part of this evil system.

You're right I've been an adult for 4 years it's time I grow some balls and take responsibility for my own future. And I was wasting time. I'm not going back.

[dhanu86]

Originally Posted by CarsonD

I dropped out my second year of college. During this time I worked in a restaurant and didn't know what to do with myself. My family gave me hell about it. Thankfully I went back and got my degree. I finished something that was important to me. It's not easy to make a living. It is still hard and I am 50 years old. If you are not academically inclined, then I say go for a job at the post office or some other position in a trade, like plumbing or electrical so that you can make a decent living. You may not have the time or the freedom to pursue academic subjects as time goes by, so consider your choices now. You may regret quitting. I know many people who didn't finish school and they became entrepreneurs and now are successfully running their own businesses. These people are not the norm however. Some people don't really need school as they are very disciplined and motivated to learn. It is just a good thing to have a higher education in my opinion.

That's my instinct. It's all or nothing without education. I need to believe in myself and stay disciplined and on course. A big reason I stayed in school is so the girl of my dreams' family won't think I'm an incompetent illiterate fool. Asians these days. People need to shed their peasant mentality with equivalating education with respect.

[EEEPNJ]

Originally Posted by dhanu86

As I said I've dropped out 2 times before. The first time after freshman year, 2nd time after just hating school and wanting to work, and now after experiencing that Universities are no better. How is it I get a D in English 101 freshmen year, then transfer to another community college and get an A+ in English 101 working even less hard?? Professors some are great some are horrrrrible. Online classes suck as well, half people who take them drop or fail them. I don't want to be part of this evil system.

You're right I've been an adult for 4 years it's time I grow some balls and take responsibility for my own future. And I was wasting time. I'm not going back.

I'm going to be honest, if you are an adult and want to be an adult, do a little more than get a PT job and relax now to prove it.

[CuCullin]

Originally Posted by dhanu86

My grandfather dropped out in 8th grade and has run a successful masonry/ plumbing construction business for over 50 years but he's a very hard worker 78 and still working in the sun with his hands because he likes waking up early to work, always driving the newest devilles and buicks even in his old age. He doesn't even use contracts, never has because in his southern town a man's word is gold because if he doesn't pay his reputation will suffer. I just admire this kind of work ethic, there's fulfillment and integrity.

Just wanted to highlight that, because thats the answer right there. Degree or not, you'll get what you want with the right work ethic.

A degree can help you get your foot in the door. Beyond that, it rarely means a thing. It can be worthwhile, or it might not be. Take your courses, enjoy them - if you don't, find other courses to take. If it comes down to it, work full time, take classes at night exploring your interests. You might come to something you really want a degree for, and finish off. Then again, you might not.

Either way, you're not only working, but learning as well. I'm sure your family would respect that.