To go to college or to not go to college

[Livinondreams]

hello all, Who here didn't go to college and do you regret it? I am in college right now, but planning on taking a couple years off to sail the world. Im always told of how furthering your education will open doors for you. I just think it depends on the person, I know many people who never went and are very succesful and happy people. Right now, I feel like I am just wasting my time. I am taking classes about things that I will never use in the future, and paying for it! But hey,the parties sure are fun

[Alden68]

What you are doing, paying for your education, is an incredibly respectable task and something that you can be proud of your entire life. It only lasts a few years....and then it's gone and you can do whatever you want. But right now you are investing in yourself....it might not make sense at the moment, but some things in life are far more valuable than the pop quizzes on floral biology. Don't give up.....on college and your dreams! good luck...

[artbyjody]

I never did, but joined the Navy instead....as I couldn't see two art scholarships truly benefiting me at the time(it takes a long career path to make money in the artist world traditionally, plus I would still have had to pay for room board etc..)....But I got tremendous skills that allowed me to pursue my own businesses afterwards and did fairly well...It all depends on what your long term goals are career-wise...some folks intern while going to college and get on the job training and subsequently put college on hold as they get hired from the relationships and work performance as an intern....

However, I would never tell someone not too - who knows if I had I may have actually done even better in real life...but the choices are all yours It is what you do with the choices you make that make all the difference...

[T34C]

I know it feels like you are wasting your time and that 99% of the crap you are required to do in college, you will never need or use again. I would say you are probably exactly right. You are not likely to use most of what you are studying. In fact you aren't very likely to even work in the field you are studying. However, Alden- got it correct in stating that it is an investment in your future. It really boils down to (in my opinion) getting the piece of paper at the end that says you graduated. It proves to the world that you were willing to put in extra work and achieve a level of education above and beyond what is required of you. That piece of paper will allow you access to jobs and career choices that you would not have otherwise.

I personally got tired of jumpig thru hoops for professors about 3/4 of the way through my Masters degree. I don't feel like I missed a thing by not continuing with my Masters, but I also know I wouldn't be where I am today if I hadn't made the choice to go back and put myself through school and get my BS. (Big surprise, I have a BS degree!)

[artbyjody]

Originally Posted by T34C

(Big surprise, I have a BS degree!)

Is this where we go

I do not think your natural ability to BS counts to actually having one, you just exhibit varying degrees of bs!

[T34C]

Originally Posted by artbyjody

Is this where we go

I do not think your natural ability to BS counts to actually having one, you just exhibit varying degrees of bs!

Most of them require one wear really tall boot.

[Plumper]

I went to college, then joined the Navy. I have now retired and gone back to school because it is way more fun than working. Summers off! A few hours a week in class! No business travel! Weekends to sail! Fabulous.....

[bestfriend]

Don't stop. I think the statistics show that most of the people that stop, never go back. I was bored as hell too, but I stuck with it. Pick the easiest way out. What you get the degree in, or from where, doesn't matter so much down the road, just get it.

Here's my six degrees of separation story. I started in Pre-med, switched to Business, then to Art, just to finish in five years and get out. Worked in the field for a while, went back and got my masters in art. Got out, got a community college teaching cert and taught for a semester, thought that was what I wanted to do, hated it. Went back to commercial photography, again, hated it. The only other thing I ever wanted to do was be a fireman. Was lucky to get hired, and the degree helped. Now I am at a station that does water rescue. I have a lifetime on the water, but no certs to speak of. We have a new boat and are in dire need of someone to take over the running of it, no one is qualified. A buddy just sent me a link to a boating instructor course. The prerequisites are a teaching cert and 40 hours teaching experience, non-specific. That should make me qualified.

You just never know. Do it all when you are young, because when you get older, the last thing you want to do is STUDY!

[labatt]

I didn't do very well in college, and, ahem, let's just say "I left." I own a fairly successful regional information security consulting company now, but I still regret not having completed college. If I ever want to do something bigger at a Fortune company, my opportunities may be limited due to a lack of degree.

[teshannon]

Stay in college, you'll have plenty of time and the means to do the other things later. Bestfriend was spot on when he said most people don't go back. You have a great opportunity that would be a shame to waste.