hey, i really need some advice from people who know whats up. i've been attending state colleges since i started 2 years ago. im pretty successful there, just it is getting expensive and im burned out of my college im currently enrolled at. i was thinking of taking a semester to stay at home with my mom and take community college classes til i can figure out what it is i want where i want to go, etc. i go to school for graphic design, but im also trying to get involved with webdesign. so i'd be starting my web design courses at the cc. just.... i feel like i dont have a direction. if i chill out this year, then i wont be graduating in the typical 4 years. i dont want to feel like im wasting money or anything. i want to travel too, and maybe head to a cc somewheres else, last i was looking was vancouver bc. im just really confused and hopefuly someone here will ask me the right question or say something to make some sense. thanks for reading my boring rant, i highly appreciate it.
No, it's not boring. If you're burned out and it's getting expensive, that is a good sign that some time out might be in order. You should talk to people who know you in person about what you want to do, people who have seen your work and have more to go on. The career placement people at your school might have some ideas. Taking an aptitude test could give you some direction.
So, how big of a deal is it really if you don't graduate in the "normal" 4 years? You'd be surprised how many people out there are on the 5-year plan, not counting time off. I wouldn't really suggest going to a community college elsewhere as a way to travel -- those things are geared toward locals -- unless you have family there you can stay with or something. Honestly, I would suggest getting a job, saving up your money, and just traveling for a month or two or until the money runs out. If you have friends all across the country, so that you can stay with different people, that will make the cash last longer. Sometimes those kinds of experiences help you figure out what exactly you really want in life. When the money runs out, if you still have no direction, get another job & save up -- either for your own place or so you can travel some more. Or, spend the year living at your mom's house going to the local cc, but put out applications to several other universities so that you can get far away from home next year. Depending on your grades and your family's financial situation, you may be able to get enuf scholarships and/or need-based aid to make up the difference in cost between an in-state state college and an out-of-state state university or even private university. This option looks better to parents, but it may not give you the kick in the ass you need to figure out what direction you want to go in. Keep in mind, the average person changes careers something like 7 times in their lifetime. It's hard to find a direction if you're sitting there going "what do I want to do for the next 50 years?" Keep in mind, also, many people wind up in jobs that have no relation to what they majored in in college. Hopefully, if you find something you love, then you will find a job in that field, but don't let that fear of commitment (not just a guy-in-relationship problem!) hold you back from going with something. And, of course, most people do change majors at least a couple of times... If you take a general ed course next fall in something you've never even thought of as an option, but absolutely love it, go for it.
thanks for support and ideas... i appreciate them all. my financial status is the big bummer right now because i've already done the 2 year college and now im in debt to my ears! once i stop school, i have to start repaying my loans and thats nooooooo fun. there would be now way i could get a job that owuld support my loan payments and living at the same time... so working then traveling is something i had to give up automatically when i went to college. im forced to go to school til im done to have a good job to repay it all. i just am feeling so stuck right now on going to school and being here... i want to get away from here, but i have to go to school .... i dont know, im still meditating on the ideas and possibilities. thanks again, peace&love
out of district tuition is substantially more expensive for out of district residents at most community colleges, so i dont know if travelling to a community college would be the best idea. if you have the oppurtunity, your best best is to to save money is go live with your parents back at home and attend community college there as a way to save money on the classes. the courses at community colleges are geared towards transferring to 4 year institutions anyway so just talk to an advisor on which classes will transfer.
It deepends on what you're studying. If you're a history major or other non-revenue type student, you might want to go to a community college and learn bookkeeping or medical techinician type skills just to avoid jobs involving fries. You can always go back and get a liberal arts degree, but once you get a BA, you cannot get a Pell Grant or most state grants, and your only financial aid options will be loans unless you want to go to Grad school.. Now, if you were in a teacher-ed program, most of what's called the Professional Development Courses are only good for a few years and if you don't finish your degree in a certain time, you'll have to take those courses over. I have no idea about the Schools of Business at most universities as far as time needed.
thanks for the info man... i've decided to stay around here for another year, finish going to college and get an associate's degree in digital media because i think its the talent that will get you far... i would just have a year there to finish up college since i already went before and have most of the basic shit outta the way and i took media classes that will transfer over. then i will be able to travel and work. thanks again, i appreciate all your help!
