Shall I go back to school?
EvilMerlin
Posts: 1,865
I know there's people here who went back to school later on in life. I'm currently contemplating the same decision. Well it's not that far later on in life, but I am still only 25 and think it'd be great to do it now while I have minimal responsibilities. I forgot who some of you are that went back, but I'm basically just looking for insight to your experiences.
Now that I'm 25 I'm eligible for financial aid(While I was younger than 25, they always added my parents income to mine, which of course I didn't see a penny of, and declared me ineligible due to their bracket, not mine.) So it's a perfect time for me to go back. There's just one slight problem. My job.
Now the job, it's a good one, it's just not for me. Actually I've been personally miserable since I got the job. Nothing against the job or where I'm at in life, just me, and who I've become is what I'm miserable about. And now it's put me into a situation that going back to school is basically impossible. It was a job that was said to be, "no travelling, but maybe a trip here and there if something does come up within the next five years. You need experience before you can go."
That was perfect for me, I guess I settled with the job because it was good money, just a straight 40 hours a week, so my plan was to go back to school a couple nights a week. Well, if I wanted to go back last January I would have had to pay out of pocket, so I decided to just wait and start this August when I could get financial aid, what's another six months?
Well now here's the hard part. That no travelling has turned into, in the 18 months I've had this job, the last 7 have had some sort of travelling involved. And now since July I'm on a "temporary relocation" which cut out my goal of returning to school last month. And now I just received notice that I'm being extended until February, which again adds yet another delay to my goals if I want to continue.
So I'm on the fence right now of resigning from my position in a couple of months, going back to being a bum server, or working at Knott's or Disneyland for a couple of years while I finish up my school and do what I wanted to originally do in my life. It's when I was happiest, when I setup my own personal goals and started my progress towards them. I think it's time to get back so I can live the life I want.
I already understand I'll have to take a lifestyle reality check and go back to living like a bum, but I don't mind for a couple of years.
So what'd you guys do? Just jump in the deep end and make due? It'll be a hard couple of years, but personally, I'll feel better about myself and where I'm headed in life. I feel like I'm at the point where I better do it now, or it probably won't ever get done.
I've been thinking about this for a while, and I just figured I'd come here and see what any of you think, especially with experience on the subject.
Now that I'm 25 I'm eligible for financial aid(While I was younger than 25, they always added my parents income to mine, which of course I didn't see a penny of, and declared me ineligible due to their bracket, not mine.) So it's a perfect time for me to go back. There's just one slight problem. My job.
Now the job, it's a good one, it's just not for me. Actually I've been personally miserable since I got the job. Nothing against the job or where I'm at in life, just me, and who I've become is what I'm miserable about. And now it's put me into a situation that going back to school is basically impossible. It was a job that was said to be, "no travelling, but maybe a trip here and there if something does come up within the next five years. You need experience before you can go."
That was perfect for me, I guess I settled with the job because it was good money, just a straight 40 hours a week, so my plan was to go back to school a couple nights a week. Well, if I wanted to go back last January I would have had to pay out of pocket, so I decided to just wait and start this August when I could get financial aid, what's another six months?
Well now here's the hard part. That no travelling has turned into, in the 18 months I've had this job, the last 7 have had some sort of travelling involved. And now since July I'm on a "temporary relocation" which cut out my goal of returning to school last month. And now I just received notice that I'm being extended until February, which again adds yet another delay to my goals if I want to continue.
So I'm on the fence right now of resigning from my position in a couple of months, going back to being a bum server, or working at Knott's or Disneyland for a couple of years while I finish up my school and do what I wanted to originally do in my life. It's when I was happiest, when I setup my own personal goals and started my progress towards them. I think it's time to get back so I can live the life I want.
I already understand I'll have to take a lifestyle reality check and go back to living like a bum, but I don't mind for a couple of years.
So what'd you guys do? Just jump in the deep end and make due? It'll be a hard couple of years, but personally, I'll feel better about myself and where I'm headed in life. I feel like I'm at the point where I better do it now, or it probably won't ever get done.
I've been thinking about this for a while, and I just figured I'd come here and see what any of you think, especially with experience on the subject.
Post edited by Unknown User on
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Comments
You are only 25...do it now.
You will survive.
I have lots of good recipes for dried beans and rice. :cool:
DO IT!
I am much older than you and I am going back to school in about 3 weeks.
Am I terrified of not having money? Yes. But it is what I need to do.
I wish you the best of luck.
And I don't feel right when you're gone away
Went back to a Theatre course that had kids half my age dropping out in the first few months because it was hard for them to keep up but somehow I kept going. I still have no idea how I managed it and neither do my doctors and teachers. BUT I did and I have to say Merlin, it was probably one of the most amazing experiences and achievements of my life and I've not once EVER regretted it. EVEN on the days I hated it and didn't want to go or felt so sick I just wanted to curl up somewhere quietly and die. Even as I was eating 2 minute noodles for the 400th time and hoarding coupons, no regrets.
You can do this, you will gain so much more from the experience than you will ever lose. I say GO FOR IT!! Seize the day!!! Just do it and don't look back!
Good luck.
*~You're IT Bert!~*
Hold on to the thread
The currents will shift
To keep you clear of the sun
You've been burned more than once
You don't think much of trust
what do you want to study? eventual degree?
"The world fascinates me."
"Doesn't mean that much to me, to mean that much to you"
I wish I had Sam Kinison for a history professor.
Learning is a wonderful thing
So go for it!!!!
It took me until last year to figure out what work field to go into.
Medical Field has so many jobs and decent to very good money can be made.
I say get a new job instead of going back to school.
...are those who've helped us.
Right 'round the corner could be bigger than ourselves.
I don't think that's always a good idea. I think real world experience is better than the degree for a lot of fields unless you're just wanting to go to school
...are those who've helped us.
Right 'round the corner could be bigger than ourselves.
it's a blast even if it's not easy.
the people in college are fantastic.
never once has anyone ever not held doors open for each other.
it's an enthusiastic energy filled environment.
i love it big time.
and if you're into the ladies....holy smokes my friend.
outstanding is all i can say.
very gifted & friendly ppl everywhere.
get with the tutors, they are fun and way fucking smart.
"Hear me, my chiefs!
I am tired; my heart is
sick and sad. From where
the sun stands I will fight
no more forever."
Chief Joseph - Nez Perce
i'll be 29 in october....monday i start school...
yippy
Esther's here and she's sick?
hi Esther, now we are all going to be sick, thanks
apparently, 07162056 is THE date...
yeah Trix it isn't a ball of joy being broke as fuck.
i went from making pretty decent money (busted my balls to get it too)to having one empty ass wallet.
but you know what?
i can't get in my writing zone when bustin my ass behind the wheel of a truck 80-100 hrs a week/thousands of miles from home.
i need school to improve my writing skills.
i have no other options.
i am quite electrified about the entire fucking situation.
look in my wallet you'll see scratch-paper-notes up the ass and cob-webs.
but you know what, i don't give a fuck. (one day i'll own the world )
btw, when you get to school go talk to the scholarship ppl.
i been writing my scholarship request out for the last few weeks.
also, go see the work study department, get yourself a part-time job @ the school doing something you'll enjoy while going to classes...
it's a blast
"Hear me, my chiefs!
I am tired; my heart is
sick and sad. From where
the sun stands I will fight
no more forever."
Chief Joseph - Nez Perce
just turned 36, and would love to go back to school. if i did though, my whole life would turn upside down. not sure i can deal with that.
"To question your government is not unpatriotic --
to not question your government is unpatriotic."
-- Sen. Chuck Hagel
not really later on in life.. but its hard to go back once you've been away from it. I just felt like I had no career, and no path, and I wanted to be a teacher, and the only way to do it was to bite the bullet and go back.
Now, I'm really excited for it, and I'm happy I chose to go back to school. Wishing I did earlier!
Colleges are pouring out thousands and thousands of degrees every year. You almost have to have one in your field. And a masters is becoming increasingly important.
Someone close to me has worked at the same company for 15 years and was at the end of the line concerning promotions without a degree. The highest level he could achieve was a project manager. A VP is out of the question.
Yes, you may think it is just a piece of paper, but when the 50 other people going for the job you want have it and you don't...your experience won't matter.
And I don't feel right when you're gone away
My first real day of school is today.
I'm excited and nervous both at the same time.
absolutely!
do consider what you want to get out of this degree as well. are you looking simply for personal enrichment, or financial/career gains......consider both for what you truly want.
btw - considering the experience vs. education debate...it really DOES depend on your field, your company/firm, etc....and even then, there are exceptions. my sister has NO college degree and she is just below the partners in her firm. she got there solely on her experience alone, sure with some coursework thrown in early, but no degree. i have a MA and it was necessary in my previous field, education, but right now i make more $$$ in a completely unrelated field where my degrees are unnecessary and unrelated, although certainly did have some bearing on my salary, etc. other fields/firms won't touch you without a degree of some sort, so thus why i said, truly consider what you want to get from it and where you want to go with it.
Let's just breathe...
I am myself like you somehow
and thats fucked up is what that is.