What is your relationship with college?

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What is your relationship with college?

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Contributor: Taylor Taylor
I feel like I've been in school forever :/

I went for two years at a 4 year school (getting a degree in crap) and then had to drop out because I had to get help for my eating disorder. When I got out of rehab I moved back to my parents and I went to cosmetology school to get my nail tech certificate so I could work for a little while and not have the pressure of college classes. Then about a year later I went to massage school because going back to the university seemed too overwhelming. I've been working as a massage therapist for about 3 years and I went back to school this year (again, yes this is my 4th school post HS). I'm studying nursing which will hopefully be my "big girl career" and I won't need to go to school any more.

I kind of feel like a loser because all my friends are finishing up their master's degrees and after all these years I still haven't finished my associate's degree
12/09/2010
Contributor: northstar northstar
Quote:
Originally posted by Wrecked-Czech
I graduated highschool and then went on to a skilled labor trade (Pipefitting, plumbing, and HVAC) with a 5 year aprenticeship program. I got paid to be trained and have been in my trade for about 10 years while most of my friends that went to ... more
I definitely agree with this - so many people have so little direction (including myself) and end up going to college just because it's the 'done thing' - I think there should be more focus on helping kids find their skills and passions. I really regret some of the decisions I made regarding my education, but alas, all you can do is look to the future.
12/09/2010
Contributor: joja joja
Wow, I'm surprised how many people here are in college. I thought I was so much younger than the average Eden contributor

I wish I could be in college forever, except for how damned expensive it is. I'm just so glad to be out of high school - more flexible schedule, classes that actually interest me, teachers that actually know what they're talking about, and classmates who give a damn! It's like heaven.
12/09/2010
Contributor: joja joja
Quote:
Originally posted by northstar
I definitely agree with this - so many people have so little direction (including myself) and end up going to college just because it's the 'done thing' - I think there should be more focus on helping kids find their skills and passions. ... more
Good point. When I lived in Germany, I learned that the idea that you MUST go to college is very American. Germans put a lot more emphasis on actual work experience -- trade school, practicum, etc.

It makes a lot of sense, but here it's hammered into our heads from an early age that going to college = successful career. So what if you want to be a carpenter or auto mechanic, just go.
12/09/2010
Contributor: Crystal1 Crystal1
I did one whole semester. I learn really quickly, and was bored out of my mind.
02/02/2011
Contributor: VenusianThunder VenusianThunder
I went to community college for a semester and a half and then quit because I was going through some major depression and was unable to handle the stress at the time along with everything else that was going on.
I have signed up to go back in the fall, but it is not for sure yet. I really would love to go through with it this time, but we will see what happens. I am looking to get my English degree, eventually.
02/03/2011
Contributor: Gunsmoke Gunsmoke
Quote:
Originally posted by VenusianThunder
I went to community college for a semester and a half and then quit because I was going through some major depression and was unable to handle the stress at the time along with everything else that was going on.
I have signed up to go back in the ... more
Hang in there - my brother went on-and-off for 30 years before graduating. He says in spite of the long struggle - it was worth the effort.
02/03/2011
Contributor: That Guy That Guy
In my opinion, college is a luxury, not a necessity. I never had to try to find a job without a degree, but it wasn't too damn easy with one either.
02/03/2011
Contributor: Gunsmoke Gunsmoke
Quote:
Originally posted by That Guy
In my opinion, college is a luxury, not a necessity. I never had to try to find a job without a degree, but it wasn't too damn easy with one either.
In my day having a degree was an advantage. Graduating in the 70's having a degree actually made a difference. However, since standards have been degraded and so many degrees are given - the value of a degree has been substantially diminished. As it turns out - having a BA today is more or less the equivalent of a HS diploma in the past.

In today's world if you want to stand out there are three avenues;
1. become an entrepreneur
2. a professional degree or certification like a CPA, MD or JD
3. a BS in engineering or a masters degree
02/03/2011
Contributor: buzz buzz
Oh college, it seems like the only way to get anywhere is to go, yet going is sooo awful.
02/03/2011
Contributor: Vaccinium Vaccinium
12 years of college for me (two B.S., Master's, Ph.D.). Seriously burned out by the end.
02/03/2011
Contributor: AU AU
I dropped out of art school. One big reason was that I feared that it wasn't a realistic path for me. I could not foresee myself getting a job that would help me pay off school. The burden frightened me. I kind of hate school, the culture. There were a lot of reasons.

I wouldn't mind sitting in on classes now without credit as I enjoy learning. Right now I'm having difficulty learning some aspects of languages on my own and might benefit from listening.

I might go to trade school if I can decide on a skill, but we don't have much where I am.

I think it is good that people are encouraged to get an education, but it's bad that they are pressured to go just because. Our local university is full of kids who are going without any particular intention, they have little interest. Conversation with some alumni left me feeling astonished that they graduated. The school is bursting at the seams. Parking is terrible. Tuition keeps increasing and the big men of the school are convinced the students can take the blow. If people didn't think they had to go to school "just because", would the school's situation be better in some ways? Would some students really be in much "worse" situations if they didn't get higher education?

I think work is just as important as education. If you can balance it with school, one levels up. My high school teachers, art school teachers scolded students who considered or did this. But some couldn't help their situation. Or they were doing what they thought was best. No need to scold!

My friends with rather impressive educations floated around in school a while, decided what they wanted, graduated. But now a few can't find jobs because they don't have work experience. Their situations are depressing, some are nearing 30.
02/03/2011
Contributor: Mistress M. Mistress M.
I went straight to college after high school. I sort of regret not getting out into the world first, and taking a year before going. But I've met so many wonderful people and had so many new experiences because I went to college when I did. So, I suppose I can't complain!
02/03/2011
Contributor: sbon sbon
I'm currently in my last year of undergrad.
02/14/2011
Contributor: toxie m toxie m
In it currently, got a full year's worth of classes left before I'm done which means more than a year's worth of time spent coz I'm only part-time. Sigh. I can't wait to be done with school.
02/19/2011
Contributor: zeebot zeebot
Currently working on my undergrad. It's super dodgy, I've been at this school for about 4 years, and I'm not even halfway through yet. I also just started a new minor, so that will probably drag it out even LONGER.
02/19/2011
Contributor: idunshire idunshire
I'm currently in my last year of undergrad and then I'm right back into school for my Master's to get my certifications (*fingers crossed* haven't heard back from any schools yet :/)
02/19/2011
Contributor: sasweetheart89 sasweetheart89
Quote:
Originally posted by northstar
I definitely agree with this - so many people have so little direction (including myself) and end up going to college just because it's the 'done thing' - I think there should be more focus on helping kids find their skills and passions. ... more
I agree with the lack of direction thing- so much time wasted trying to figure out what you really want. Not to mention how expensive taking college courses is while you're trying to figure it out!
02/19/2011
Contributor: Alys Alys
I graduated last year with a BA in International Affairs. It's a fairly useless degree, but I loved the courses I took, and I truly love to learn, so I cannot say that my time and money were wasted. I'm going through the process to get my state license as an insurance producer, and I am thinking of going back to school in a couple years for a Masters in finance or accounting. I'll have to see what tomorrow brings, though.
02/19/2011
Contributor: Destri Destri
Well, I graduated junior college anyway. Have an AA in Social Services.
02/19/2011
Contributor: M121212 M121212
I graduated this year
06/04/2011
Contributor: Dusk Dusk
I just graduated a few weeks ago with my BS in Chemistry. I'm headed onto graduate school for an MS in College Student Personnel in August
06/04/2011
Contributor: Anjulie Anjulie
I graduated from college with a masters and have no plans to return anytimes soon
06/04/2011
Contributor: padmeamidala padmeamidala
Quote:
Originally posted by Lithaewyn
I randomly wondered this today. I know that a couple of our female members are graduating this year, and I became curious about everyone's relationship to college. The poll is anonymous because I know that it may be a personal subject for some, ... more
I went to college and that is where I met Anakin back in 1990. The college years were good for me but I had to quit when things got bad at home and I had to move out. My parents wouldn't pay and I didn't have enough money to keep going so I had to quit. It really sucks because I only had one more semester to go.
06/04/2011
Contributor: P'Gell P'Gell
Quote:
Originally posted by Gunsmoke
In my day having a degree was an advantage. Graduating in the 70's having a degree actually made a difference. However, since standards have been degraded and so many degrees are given - the value of a degree has been substantially diminished. As ... more
I know your post is four months old, but your information is solid. My Man and I are number 3 (he's an engineer and I have a MS. An IBCLC is a Master's level certification.) and we're still in debt. Although, that is because I took time off to raise kids and we lived on credit that was easy to get back then, thinking "We can always take some money from the house equity if we need it." Then about 2 years ago, the value of our house decreased by 50% and we owe more than it is worth. There is no chance of any equity borrowing now. But, it did help so I could stay home and raise our kids, so I don't regret doing it.

The idea of going back to school again is daunting, especially when you're in debt, have kids and a house and are not a kid anymore.

My hope is that my kids will get good degrees. My oldest has a degree in Early Childhood Education. She makes shit for money. Nobody values the people who raise their kids for them. My middle one just received a BA in English, Rhetoric and Literature. *sigh* She is starting grad school in the winter semester to get a degree in Library Science. God, I hope the libraries are able to get enough funding to be able to hire new people then. Art and Literature are always the first to go when they cut budgets, instead of making rich people pay what they owe.( My Man and I pay more in taxes than the average millionaire. There are many billionaires who pay NO taxes at all. GE paid not a cent in tax last year. It makes me want to barf. Shut me up before I go on a rampage about the selfish Rich.)

We're hoping our little one will go into either architecture or engineering. She wants to be teacher, but I don't know how well people with Auspergers do as teachers. She's a genius (really) but her ability to communicate what she is thinking is not the same as other peoples'. Although she writes astoundingly mature for such a young child. Then again, she is still 11. We think engineering, like her daddy would be a good course for her, but it is up to her. (As it is the English Major is living with us, still, and isn't able to make enough money to move out anytime in the near future.)

I worry more about my kids in this economy that I do about ourselves, even though we're broke. We saw some comfortable times, they may not.
06/04/2011
Contributor: Gunsmoke Gunsmoke
Quote:
Originally posted by P'Gell
I know your post is four months old, but your information is solid. My Man and I are number 3 (he's an engineer and I have a MS. An IBCLC is a Master's level certification.) and we're still in debt. Although, that is because I took time ... more
Every generation has its challenges. My daughter is studying art - with no idea what to do with it. She's bright, so we hope she's able to find a niche. My son is studying for work in electronic media - like video editing. He's been reading about the premium he can make as an engineer - and may change to try that.

I complain a lot too - but life isn't so bad. Not as comfy as I'd like - but we have each other a great family life.

All the best of luck to your girls.
06/04/2011
Contributor: big b big b
two years
06/04/2011
Contributor: Inwitari Inwitari
I attended college for almost 4 years (changed my major after 2), but had to leave due to my work schedule. Plan on going back though.
06/05/2011
Contributor: Antipova Antipova
Even though I thought through all of high school that I'd want to be an English teacher or something nearly-extinct like a cattle rancher, I read a book (just a novel) that convinced me that if I wanted to make a difference, I should look into engineering. I also have this strong desire to be well-rounded, and I admitted to myself that I was always going to read in my free time, but if I didn't make a commitment to doing math, I was probably going to slack off.

I'm ridiculously glad I did---it changed some parts of my personality, and I'm much more comfortable with math now than I ever was in my childhood/high school days. (I'm still slower at running arithmetic than my peers, but as long as I double-check my hand work and my computer work my answers come out fine.)

I really feel, mostly because of the major I chose, that my college education made a huge impact on both who I am, and how successful I'll be at finding a job. I have been able to tell the difference in my skill level, my knowledge of where and how to start researching new problems, even my problem solving method. I'm definitely a better gear for improving the world than I would be had I studied something else. And that's the kind of thing they tell you is rewarded monetarily.

I got a Master's degree as well because I met a professor who was doing really fascinating research, and unlike people getting MA's, my tuition was paid for and I got a very livable stipend the whole time.
06/05/2011
Contributor: Retro Retro
Quote:
Originally posted by Lithaewyn
I randomly wondered this today. I know that a couple of our female members are graduating this year, and I became curious about everyone's relationship to college. The poll is anonymous because I know that it may be a personal subject for some, ... more
I am on a break but there wasn't an option for it. I am still enrolled so I voted I am attending even though I am not going to any classes at the moment.
06/05/2011