The thought of going back to college is just this cruel burden looming in the shadows. I am 23 years old. Yes, I am young. Yes, I am more than able to go back to school. The problem is my lack of desire to go. A friend of mine has repeatedly told me, “You’re going to want to go back to!” Is that true?
There are a few very simple reasons why I have resisted going back to school. The main issue has been my indecisive nature. Making the decision of what I would pursue in school has honestly been daunting. That was my excuse when I was 19 years old. Today, I am more in touch with my passions and more aware of what makes me an unhappy, discontent human. Armed with that knowledge of myself, the thought of going back to school (or simply taking classes) is more manageable.
Call me foolish but I have also had the feeling that maybe I do not need to go to college. Everyone that has invested their time, energy, and money into going to college would say, “Drew, you’re an idiot. You NEED to go to college.” This has led me to ponder the benefits of my attendance to college. Another issue is the stigma of not having a college degree. You may be perceived as being unintelligent and poor, likely to result to nothing in life.
No matter how hard I try to picture my future life, I just cannot visualize myself headed down a single path. A single career path, starting at the bottom, working and stressing over a single goal for some company. I have tried it…It’s not my path. Working for promotions with the dream of someday being the boss of a few people, then a department, then a division…Ultimately keeping my eye on the head boss man to snag his/her job in the end. Stressed, dehumanizing office environments…You get it. I don’t mind starting at the bottom, working for myself.
Don’t take this the wrong way. Learning and expanding your knowledge base is the most beneficial thing one can do in life. My argument here is that college is NOT the only way to learn and be successful in the global economy. Of course, my mother would disagree.
No matter how many excuses I conjure up for not attending college, I guess only time will tell us if I was wrong or right. So far, I only regret not going to school about about 3.4%. I am sure that percentage will increase as I begin my job hunt in Minneapolis. The other side to that is a strong willingness to avoid any position that I know would cause discontent.
My Wish: I would love a 6 month program to certify you in many different positions throughout the working world.
What is wrong with my generation, if anything? Cheers.
6 Comments
i applaud you for analyzing yourself from many different viewpoints. taking the time to figure out your desires and passions is something most people who go to college don’t do. jumping into college and getting a degree in something one is not passionate about may lead to a lifetime of unhappiness. your life will be full of joy. congratulations my dear friend.
i know exactly what you mean. i hated college the first time around, and i’m so glad that i have taken the path i have. i now have a ton of true work experience that will directly relate to the type of degree i want to get. on top of that, i’ll never have to worry about paying for college. of course, the downside is that i’ve been the air force’s bitch for the last four years… but isn’t that my right of passage? either way drew, you’re a smart guy, you’ll figure it all out.
I’m 24 and in a similar situation. My jobs now are leading me nowhere. Should I go back to school, so I can get somewhere? I’ve gone to school and taken breaks about 4 different times. Each time I went back, it was for something different because I’ve always and continue to be undecided about what I want to do. I don’t think school is for everyone. I’ve decided it’s just not for me. (Although I have enough faith in myself that if I ever want to go back again, I will. I’m not cutting out the schooling option forever, it’s indefinite). I’m like you and would rather work from the bottom to get to the top. A lot of times you go to college, get a degree, and you still begin from the bottom. You’ve obviously really thought it through. It takes time. Try not to get discouraged!
drew,
honestly, fuck college. you’re doing now what most people should have done after they finished highschool- figuring out who they are. many of the people i went to university with entered the brainwashing business school or beat themselves up over their status in other fields of study. furthermore, they just continued that same mindless devotion to school work and extracurricular activities that they had in highschool. apparently, they viewed success in college like they viewed success in school- they just had to devote themselves to their studies (or in the case of the business school- screwing other people over in there own area of study) and make their teachers happy. what they didn’t consider is the true nature of university- to expand their minds. of course, they did find out more about themselves, but at the cost of putting themselves through degrees they didn’t really enjoy but felt they had to get in order to be successful. pointless careerism at its best.
however, there were many people who were there for a better purpose…. many of those people were older students- they were those who took a few years off and discovered their adult selves before they went on to expand their minds. in this sense, you’re doing what more americans should- become adults and look around before you become thousands of dollars in debt to learn about something you only “kind of” interested in. of course, a college degree is important and will open up many doors for you, but [seriously] don’t be one of those people who find no use for their degrees in their life after university. little use is more than acceptable, no use isn’t. and, at least you won’t be one of those people who don’t find much interest in their degree above and beyond the “financially stable” level.
I went to college right out of high school and totally screwed it up by spending my time basically drinking and not going to class. I graduated and then took a few years off and have now found that my college degree doesn’t get me a whole lot so I’m going to grad school. I can only say that even though I’m working full time and taking classes full time I am a much better student now than I was back then, mainly because I want it. My advice, if you don’t REALLY want it, you probably shouldn’t bother going, because you won’t do well anyway!
College isn’t for everyone but I would always suggest if you’re thinking about it – do it!!College provides great life experience, both in and outside of the classroom. I’ve never regretted getting my B.S. and I am glad I’m working on an M.A. right now.