School

[the_alchemyst]

I'm 20 years old and in my third year of community college.

 

I decided to go to community college mainly for one reason: going to a big fancy university would mean leaving my boyfriend, now ex-boyfriend, and since our relationship was fairly new, it was amazing and I did not want to leave it.

 

Plus, I added the fact that a university would be far more expensive, so I thought it just "made sense" to go to a CC.

 

I decided to enroll in one and discard my HS grades, including my SATs and ACTs, and start off "fresh."

 

At first, it was okay. A little bit more work than HS, so it was okay. Soon after, I realized CC is and older version of HS. And yes, I hate it.

 

It's not hard. It's not challenging. It's not entertaining. It's not enlightening. It's not anything good.

 

Now, don't read this as, "Oh, I'm too freaking smart for community college!" because that's not what I mean. What I do mean is this: I have to go listen to the dribble of "professors" and their regurgitation of the exact.same.thing. in the text book; it feels like I'm being read to. And I have to go because they take attendance. So, I'm paying for the books and classes--two things--when it feels like all I really need is one: the text book.

 

Now, maybe it's just my sh*tty luck, but ever professor I've had has been the same. The just tell you what's in the book, and I find that disappointing.

 

But this is really an addition to my actual problem, though:

 

I initially started as an English major, hoping to someday land a job as a magazine journalist, novelist, or a screenplay writer. Or something like that. But then I discovered that the English Literature classes bored me, and that I needed something that would generate more money, anyway because I really don't want to be poor forever.

 

I switched to Psychology. WOW. Yea, yea: I want to help people. I really do. I like listening. I love it, even. And I love being given the opportunity to possibly help another, yes. But you know what? It takes too freaking long! I'm already three years in CC because even though it's really easy, I'm an idiot. So, by the time I get my BA, I'll be 22-23. Then my MA, 24-26. And I can stop here and be a therapist, but I think therapists are like teachers: they do a lot and earn so little. So, I can either suck it up or go onto my PhD to be an actual "psychologist" (because, initially, I wanted to be a Psychiatrist, but then I realized I'm far too stupid for that).

 

I have no freaking clue how long that will take, but I bet I'll be nearing my 30s, if not 30, or over 30. And that to me is too "old" to barely start what I thought I had started uh, more than 10 years ago!

 

I know it sounds like all I care for is the money, but this is the way I see it: If I'm going to bust my ass and burn my eyelashes reading textbooks to earn my "degree," then I better see some good revenue for it! If not--if all I want to do is help people and care absolutely not about money, then I might as well pack my bags and live in poor countries doing volunteer work. Seriously.

 

But I DO care about the money that I will make. I'm not asking for omygawd-sums, but enough to, you know, have my own place and my own car, be able to pay my utility bills on time, and have some freaking money in my purse so I can eat normal human food instead of Taco Bell's Nachos because they are cheap, and that's all I can afford!

 

Like, oh, I don't know! I want to actually be able to eat some of the stuff I can cook instead of just cooking it for some bastard woman who thinks I'm her slave-chef-b!tch!

 

Ahem.

 

You see what I'm saying?

 

And I really hate myself for not having any talent. Like you know, people who are naturally good at fixing stuff or at electronics or whatever--they can take that natural talent and soar and be happy. But I don't have any. All I can do is "study."

 

WOW. Ontop of ALL the crap that is my life, I get stuck with "studying" as my "natural talent." Some talent that is! Pfft!

 

So, I really, really want to drop out of school because I feel it's useless, but then I figure that's totally defeating the purpose.

 

I just have no clue what to do.

 

Maybe I should just be a radiation technician or a LVN or something like that, whatever and RT (if that's what it's even called) does.

[burning 4 revenge]

I did RT for a year at CC. Didn't like it.

 

Plus you will only top out in the forties.

[Pyro]

Would you feel better if you felt that you were challenged more? Why not transfer your credits over to a university?

 

I have read some of your past posts and you have a talent for writing. I know that you said you got bored with it, but so you know, you do have a talent.

[burning 4 revenge]

She's a very talented writer I agree.

 

Unfortunately, it usually comes in handiest writing your relatives to borrow money from them.

[the_alchemyst]

So, I'm going to be poor forever.

 

Goddammit. Why can't I be good at math and computers?

 

There goes the idea of being an RT.

 

Well, I think CC is pretty easy, but the main reason I'm disappointed is because the teachers show no enthusiasm, you know? I just wish I got something out of going to class. I feel like it's the same as being given a text book and being tested on it 2 months later.

 

Oh joy.

 

And transfering to a uni is also another problem because I'm beginning to realize that I am far too poor to afford it. Blah. But maybe the biggest problem is that I feel like I have lost all motivation for going to school.

 

You know what I always wanted to do? I always wanted to write screenplays or scripts for movies, especially horror, drama, and thillers/suspence movies, since they are the ones I like the most.

 

Yea, I always wanted to do that.

 

Sigh. My head is really lost is the clouds.

 

Maybe I should just do data entry for a corporation or something.

[Pyro]

So, I'm going to be poor forever.

 

Goddammit. Why can't I be good at math and computers?

 

There goes the idea of being an RT.

 

Well, I think CC is pretty easy, but the main reason I'm disappointed is because the teachers show no enthusiasm, you know? I just wish I got something out of going to class. I feel like it's the same as being given a text book and being tested on it 2 months later.

 

Oh joy.

 

And transfering to a uni is also another problem because I'm beginning to realize that I am far too poor to afford it. Blah. But maybe the biggest problem is that I feel like I have lost all motivation for going to school.

 

You know what I always wanted to do? I always wanted to write screenplays or scripts for movies, especially horror, drama, and thillers/suspence movies, since they are the ones I like the most.

 

Yea, I always wanted to do that.

 

Sigh. My head is really lost is the clouds.

 

Maybe I should just do data entry for a corporation or something.

 

I go to a university and I am a broke a$s.

 

I just put it all on loans. I'll worry about paying it back when I am making big bucks.

 

Anyone can go to a university, you don't have to be rich.

 

If you are close to getting a degree in English or psychology, you should finish it and get a job and start making the big bucks, while on the side write some scripts. I bet that you could write some awesome scripts Alchemyst.

[Craig]

I have no freaking clue how long that will take, but I bet I'll be nearing my 30s, if not 30, or over 30. And that to me is too "old" to barely start what I thought I had started uh, more than 10 years ago!

Or you could use your writing talent to write a book on how to succeed in relationships.

 

You don't have to really know anything, just come up with two or three slogans to stop your readers from thinking (bonus tip: make one of your 'new' slogans the title of your book) and plagiarize the rest of the book from other books.

 

Be sure to put everything in your own unique words and also don't make anything clear at all or people will know you're a fake.

 

Include plenty of case studies because some people like these and it makes the book more valuable to them.

 

You can get your PhD, just like a bunch of other self styled relationship Guru's for about $1,200, including transcripts, etc.

 

If you are lucky a few ratings hungry talk show hosts will pickup 'your' book and have you on as a guest. Then professional jealously being what it is, other talk show hosts will want you as a guest and before you know it you're on Oprah, sipping Gatorade in the green room with Katie Couric and Rachel Ray.

 

Soon you'll be cashing checks bigger than Kim Jung Il's ego, living the life of the rich and famous and adopting orphans in Africa. By the time you are found out you'll have your money and won't give a rats azz anyway.

 

PS - If you want to do data entry you'll have to move to India.

[burning 4 revenge]

If I was a twenty year old girl living near Los Angeles I would strip.$$$$$$$

[the_alchemyst]

Or you could use your writing talent to write a book on how to succeed in relationships.

 

You don't have to really know anything, just come up with two or three slogans to stop your readers from thinking (bonus tip: make one of your 'new' slogans the title of your book) and plagiarize the rest of the book from other books.

 

Be sure to put everything in your own unique words and also don't make anything clear at all or people will know you're a fake.

 

Include plenty of case studies because some people like these and it makes the book more valuable to them.

 

You can get your PhD, just like a bunch of other self styled relationship Guru's for about $1,200, including transcripts, etc.

 

If you are lucky a few ratings hungry talk show hosts will pickup 'your' book and have you on as a guest. Then professional jealously being what it is, other talk show hosts will want you as a guest and before you know it you're on Oprah, sipping Gatorade in the green room with Katie Couric and Rachel Ray.

 

Soon you'll be cashing checks bigger than Kim Jung Il's ego, living the life of the rich and famous and adopting orphans in Africa. By the time you are found out you'll have your money and won't give a rats azz anyway.

 

PS - If you want to do data entry you'll have to move to India.

 

 

This was useless.

 

 

Anyway, stripping? We've been over that. And you're mistaking me for Ariadne again (location-wise). I would be a horrible stripper.

 

I would feel sad. Just like I do when I watch Dumbo.

 

And Riddler--Yes, I know you don't have to be wealthy or anything to go to a university, but . . .

 

Thanks, though! The thing is I'm not close to being done with anything, since I switched over to Psych about a year ago, and I haven't taken many/all of the "core courses."

 

I guess I feel like I should do something more practical. Like being a plumber. People need plumbers, after all, and I won't have to go to India.

[Craig]

This was useless.

 

I guess I feel like I should do something more practical. Like being a plumber. People need plumbers, after all, and I won't have to go to India.

Sorry Alchemyst, my bad humor.

 

But your last sentence may have more in it than some might think, if you are looking for a decent paying job then one of the trades could be for you--if that is something that would appeal to you.

 

I've heard that there is/is going to be a shortage of trades in the U.S. and that there is an over supply of college grads. Like Gunny says, many jobs do not require a college degree. In fact I don't know anyone that uses their actual college degree except professionals like docs, psychologists, attorneys, etc. I know an architect that is a stock broker, a real estate broker that is/was a doctor, a doc that was an attorney, a plumber with a PhD in Philosophy, a financial analyst with a degree in kinesiology , etc., etc. Even the MBA's are suffering from over supply.

 

I guess it comes down to what you are going to be happy doing not what you think is the best choice to earn a decent/good income. There are lots of people earning decent to good or better incomes that hate their jobs.

[Guest]

Once you're out of HS, it's about learning - sometimes despite the teacher. So some courses are boring? They'll pass in a few months and you never have to see them again. Like the shoe store says - Just Do It.

 

Point is, you need a piece of paper to get jobs. If you want to write, you should be in communications, if you can manage it. I think it's at a lot of CCs. So aim at a diploma or certificate or whatever's available, get the paper, and get out working. Or take a course by distance learning and work some more.

 

But don't dawdle about forever waiting for a set of courses to light your fire - very often you have to light your own fire and you do that once you're out of the institution.

[Ripples]

Um, it might be a useless suggestion, but have you heard of Psych-K? As you're interested in psychology, and as it's a relatively new concept, it may be worth investigating becoming a trainer. I believe you could make some serious money out of it, and I think I'm right in saying that the training for it is less expensive and quicker than doing a Psychology degree.

 

FWIW, I think it's a brilliant concept and I'm researching where I can get a therapist (more difficult in the UK than US) who practises it.