Shall I go back to school?

EvilMerlin
EvilMerlin Posts: 1,865
edited September 2008 in All Encompassing Trip
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.
Post edited by Unknown User on
«13

Comments

  • TrixieCat
    TrixieCat Posts: 5,756
    YES!
    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.
    :)
    Cause I'm broken when I'm lonesome
    And I don't feel right when you're gone away
  • Jeanie
    Jeanie Posts: 9,446
    Returned to Uni when I was 36 after working nearly 20 years and having some hugely life changing problems with my health.

    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. :)
    NOPE!!!

    *~You're IT Bert!~*

    Hold on to the thread
    The currents will shift
  • angie76
    angie76 Posts: 646
    Based on what you wrote, I'm gonna say just jump.
    Dig a ditch deep enough
    To keep you clear of the sun
    You've been burned more than once
    You don't think much of trust
  • justam
    justam Posts: 21,415
    If this is for an undergrad degree...you probably should do it now and not later. I'd advise you to get back to work as quickly as you can though. Don't stay in school past thirty or you'll lose a lot of earning years.
    &&&&&&&&&&&&&&
  • norm
    norm Posts: 31,146
    of course you should :)

    what do you want to study? eventual degree?
  • Cocaine_Nosejob
    Cocaine_Nosejob Posts: 1,744
    DO IT! I'm 24 and today was my first day in college. Best decision I've ever made!
    "The customer...is always...an ASSHOLE"

    "The world fascinates me."

    "Doesn't mean that much to me, to mean that much to you"

  • bigbadbill
    bigbadbill Posts: 1,758
    two words: Rodney Dangerfield.

    I wish I had Sam Kinison for a history professor.
    11/6/95, 11/18/97, 7/13/98, 7/14/98, 10/24/00, 10/25/00, 10/28/00, 6/2/03, 6/3/03, 6/5/03, 7/6/06, 7/7/06, 7/9/06, 7/10/06, 7/13/06, 7/15/06, 7/16/06, 7/18/06, 10/21/06, 4/10/08, 4/13/08, 9/30/09, 10/1/09, 10/6/09, 10/7/09, 10/9/09
  • DonJon
    DonJon Posts: 5,089
    Go for it!!!!!!!!!!!!

    Learning is a wonderful thing
    I'll ride the wave where it takes me.
  • JOEJOEJOE
    JOEJOEJOE Posts: 10,829
    Its always a good idea to get another degree under your belt....investing a few years in school now can pay huge dividends the rest of your life, as long as its a practical degree.
  • small town beck
    small town beck Posts: 6,691
    Do what you feel is right but it sounds like you already know. I wish I had done it. Life is too short to be unhappy :)
  • patrickredeyes
    patrickredeyes Posts: 8,834
    I just turned 30 and finally went back to school. I've been putting it off for a few yrs but I finally did it. :) I wish I would have gone back 5 yrs ago. lol

    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. :)
  • know1
    know1 Posts: 6,801
    EvilMerlin wrote:
    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.

    I say get a new job instead of going back to school.
    The only people we should try to get even with...
    ...are those who've helped us.

    Right 'round the corner could be bigger than ourselves.
  • know1
    know1 Posts: 6,801
    JOEJOEJOE wrote:
    Its always a good idea to get another degree under your belt....investing a few years in school now can pay huge dividends the rest of your life, as long as its a practical degree.

    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
    The only people we should try to get even with...
    ...are those who've helped us.

    Right 'round the corner could be bigger than ourselves.
  • chadwick
    chadwick up my ass Posts: 21,157
    get you ass in school dude.
    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.
    for poetry through the ceiling. ISBN: 1 4241 8840 7

    "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
  • brainofPJ
    brainofPJ Posts: 2,361
    do it.

    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
  • CHANGEinWAVES
    CHANGEinWAVES Posts: 10,169
    i think you should go back...the longer you wait the less of a chance you'll do it. seems like the time is right for you, go and do it:)
    "I'm not present, I'm a drug that makes you dream"
  • muiren77
    muiren77 Posts: 3,511
    go for it...education is the only treasure that no one can take away from you...good luck...
    what is essential is invisible to the eye

    apparently, 07162056 is THE date...
  • chadwick
    chadwick up my ass Posts: 21,157
    TrixieCat wrote:
    YES!
    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.
    :)


    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
    for poetry through the ceiling. ISBN: 1 4241 8840 7

    "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
  • the wolf
    the wolf Posts: 7,027
    YES !!!! YES!!!! YES!!! go back, go back NOW !!!!


    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.
    Peace, Love.

    "To question your government is not unpatriotic --
    to not question your government is unpatriotic."
    -- Sen. Chuck Hagel
  • iamsampj
    iamsampj Posts: 784
    you should go for it :D if it's something that you feel will make you happy, then do it! and just think of all of the cute girls in glasses you'll run into ;)
    yes...i do feel like a human. i do not feel like a tree.

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