college/no college

Has anyone on here gone to school (college) and then just decided they were tired of it and couldnt take it anymore?? Do you feel like you missed out on something, do you regret that desicion??

I am so sick and tired of school, I am in my 5th year of college and still have no degree. Not because I'm dumb or because of bad grades, just because I didn't know what I wanted to do for so long. Now that I'm finally sure, I feel like it's too late.

Geezzz

Re: college/no college

Maybe you need to take a semester off...to clear your head! College will still be there if you want to go back.

Good Luck!!

Re: college/no college

Stick with it - you've got to be almost there. Why spend all that time in school and then walk away when you're in sight of getting your degree?

I know it sucks, but it really is worth it in the end. It's so much harder to go back after you've taken time off. Keep at it!

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Well, I'm not a good person to ask because I'm a firm believer that College is not for everyone. If your heart is not in it maybe you should take some time off and then decide if you want to go back. I wanted absolutely nothing to do with College- and I still do. It's just not my thing and does not interest me in the least. I have so many other passions to pursue.

Re: college/no college

Posted by Kara

Stick with it - you've got to be almost there. Why spend all that time in school and then walk away when you're in sight of getting your degree?

I know it sucks, but it really is worth it in the end. It's so much harder to go back after you've taken time off. Keep at it!

Re: college/no college

Now that you are finally sure of what you want to do, you should stick it out. That does not mean finish college right away... you may want to take a semester off and get an internship in your field to make sure you enjoy it...but go back. It is worth it!

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I floundered in college for 3 or maybe 4 years not knowing what I really wanted to do - working/making money more then going to classes and now 16 years later I TOTALLY REGRET IT!!

It would have been so much easier to finish up in my early 20's then to be considering going back in my late 30's. I have been looking at the job market and a degree seems to be necessary for most if not all postions that would give me a lateral move salary wise.

Since you found something you really want to pursue I would recommend trying to stick it out. It's not too late. It's never too late.

Good luck!

Message edited 5/16/2007 8:53:07 AM.

Re: college/no college

no one knows this more than I do.

look into another school/program, take a semester off (although that doesn't work out so well if you have loans or fin aid) - whatever it takes.

I graduated HS in 2001...its 2007 and I'm only graduating this weekend, albeit with 2 degrees, but still - it took me 6 years.

Not everyone knows what they want to do. I had 4 different majors! And I am SO TIRED of school.
Hang in there.

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it took me almost five years to realize what I wanted as well and this was after taking a break and then having my daughter.

I went back to school this year after three years of being away, and I think it has been one of the best decisions I ever made.

Good luck!

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I went to college for 3 yrs and during my third year I realized I was just wasting my parents $-It was not for me--I was never a good student. I left and started working. I have no regrets!

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good luck in whatever decision you make!

Dh hated school- he quit with one semester to go..

he has been working ever since.

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thanks guys...i wish i didnt change my major 900 times...id be done...its so depressing seeing friends from h.s done and in their field...i feel like i failed myself sometimes...i know i need to stick it out, i just wish it was an easier and quicker process...

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I dropped out after my 2nd semester sophomore year. I went and lived in Hawaii for 2 years, Colorado for a year and N. Cali for a year. I don't regret my decision for a second. I learned (for me) so much more that i don't think you could get from school. I was not a "school person" and couldn't justify wasting all that money if I wasn't taking it seriously.

Sure I don't have a finished education, but I have been more successful in my life (professionally) than some friends of mine that had been in school forever and got a degree.

I think it all depends on the person and what you're looking for and what you're after.

NEVER EVER think you failed!!!

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I would stick it out if you can. A college degree is much more helpful in getting a good job than a high school diploma. In a few years, a Master's degree or higher will be the ideal for getting a good job.

Message edited 5/16/2007 9:48:52 AM.

Re: college/no college

if you are close to being done, i would definitely stick it out. it's good to have, and these days people almost assume everyone has a bachelor's.

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I stuck it out- I went to 3 colleges and it took me 7 years- for the same reasons as you- I kept swicthing majors, programs, I ended up at FIT- after I fought my Dad to let me go there

I am so happy I stuck with it- and found something that interests me-

it will be worth it- and don't take time off- you wont go back- that was my Dad's 1 rule- I wanted to take a semester off- and he so no

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PLEASE stick it out.

it took me 6 years (because I got hurt and kept taking incompletes and took a year off..ugh). I did NOT want to go back. I was SO sick of college. I was sick of everything. I even told myself when I went back that I would go to clas and come home and I wouldn't do any theatre. I went back and ended up doing a ton of theatre and getting the best grades of my whole tenure at college because I was really focused. I did what I had to do (Including taking 21 credits one semester) to graduate in one year because I knew I was not going to want to come back for a 7th year.

It was a lot of stress and aggravation, but I have to tell you I was SO worth it. If you were on here last year at this time in the weeks and days coming up to my graduation I was SO excited, and my graduation day was the BEST day of my life. Because I had struggled so much it made it even more of an accomplishment. nothing worthwhlile comes easy. Pick a program you can live with and stick it out to the end. You will be so glad you did. PLEASE don't give up. You've already put in this much time and money, don't leave without the degree, and if you find something you really love later on you can always go part time for a masters.

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I stopped going to college back in my early 20's I was just miguided and wanted out so I went to work full time. After a few of years of being mistreated and realizing how important a degree was in the workforce and for my self esteem I went back. I did miss out on some of the things that day students got to take advantage of but in the end I have my degree and working on my masters. School was a totally difference experience going back in my mid 20's. I loved it I had direction. I am a firm believer that in college. It is stressful but dont give up. It is really hard to go back later in life when you have more responsibilites and the way the world is going today degrees are really important.

Good luck try to stick it out.

Message edited 5/18/2007 6:55:53 AM.

Re: college/no college

It took me 8 years, after dropping out 3 times. 10 years after I should have graduated if I went straight through after highschool. During that 8 year period, there were many MANY times when I just wanted to say EFF IT ALL!! and drop out again.

My dad kept telling me maybe I needed to slow down a little, drop a class, but I had to keep at it because it's easier to do in your 20s than it is in your 30s. And of course, my dad was right. It was such a long, slow process and parts of it were absolute torture but when it was all done and I finally graduated... it's just the biggest accomplishment of my life to date. I can't even describe that feeling, but nothing beats it.

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Another vote for sticking it out. You will have so many opportunities available to you.

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I went to college.. hated it.. then started working full time.

Thats pretty much how I got where I am today.

Do I regret not graduating & missing out on the whole college experience.??

By far, the biggest mistake of my life.

I regret it every single day. Sure, I can go back, but at this point in my life, going to get my degree is just not possible for various reasons.

Message edited 5/18/2007 9:04:10 AM.

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Went to college right after HS (1991), stayed a year then transferred to Nassau to make the folks happy. Stayed a few years but got lots of Cs and withdrawals.

Got a job as a flight attendant and did that in NYC for 6 years. Loved it but the money sucked (and the company went out of business). In the meantime, I also took a few classes at Nassau and finshed up an Associates Degree in Liberal Arts.

Got on with Southwest airlines in 1999, but with the intent that I wanted to go back and finish school eventually.

2001- With 9/11, I realized I wanted out of the airline industry and enrolled in a 4 year program in Baltimore,MD.

2007- will graduate May 23 with my Masters in Speech pathology (completed bachelors in 2005).

I am now 34. Yes, it took some time, ALOT of work (I worked fulltime through the program)but I would rather be 34 and have my degree than not. I love Speech pathology, and have a great job lined up for the fall that will pay me more than what I was making after 8 years at SWA- for partime work!!

If you found something you love to do, it's worth staying in school.

Flip side: my husband never went to college and is very happy with that decision. He's successfull, likes his job at Southwest, and makes enough money to support us both until I start back to work in the fall.

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That's what colllege is ALL about...the discipline. When I was in grad school (which took me three years to complete) I thought it'll never end. The evening commute, working full-time and going to school was really killing me and draining me completely...but I stuck it out and now have a Master's under my belt.

Try to stick it out...I think the worst you can do right now is take a semester off...I don't think you'd go back...that's just MHO. I hope all works out for you though!

Message edited 5/18/2007 10:37:08 AM.