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Too late for school? Hopeless?

#41
Go to your local community college or tech school.
Talk to a counselor & take some tests like Meyer-Briggs etc.

These will give you an idea of some of your interests/aptitudes.

They won't tell you what you must do, but point you in some directions.

/sarcasm I earned my degree at 43, so it MUST be too late for you while you're still in your 20's. /sarcasm

(did I do the /sarcasm thing right?... I'm never sure) :D
 
#42
WokenDeer said:
I've been thinking lately. I'm 23, I didn't make the best of grades in high school (which I regret, take heed younger ones. Schools not the worst thing in your life). I graduated, barely. I never went to college though.
My mind has been set on my future though. I don't want to work a meaningless job for the rest of my life. I'd like to have my own home some day. It's already hard to save money. My credit is actually good, so as long as I hold my meaningless job I can make it, but what happens if/when I lose or leave this job. Or at the very least I get too old one day and have no retirement or fallback.
I want to go back to school but I have absolutely no idea what I want to do, what courses I should take. I don't want to waste time with a general studies degree. And also can I even get in to a local college if my gpa from high school was low? And money for college is an issue also.
I almost feel like its impossible or just not worth the trouble. And as small as it is I would hate to spend less time with music. That's what keeps me going. I'd have to quit my band to go to school and carry a job. I know it'd be for the best and its what I should do its just hard
Sorry for contributing to all the depressing threads I've seen lately. Just had to dump this somewhere.

As far as too long didn't read, don't worry about it.
Click to expand...
23 is not late at all.
I went to college after high school but I met some international students who were starting in their early-20s. They had served in the military due to conscription (military draft) and decided to go to university afterwards. Greek dude (not fraternity, he was from Greece) was drinking Ouzo in the halls. He didn't care. He was like 22.
I ended up going back at 26 to get a second bachelor's degree. I knew that I wanted to get into computer programming because it was important to have a real skill that was in high demand and paid well. I was in some classes with 18 year olds. But, there was the occasional 50-somethings in some classes.
Regardless of what major you are interested, the courses that are mandatory in the first two years are almost the same for any major.
Money is a big hurdle. Since you are under 30, ROTC is an option. There's also the Coast Guard Academy. You apply just like any other university.
 
#43
DanAleks said:
Go to your local community college or tech school.
Talk to a counselor & take some tests like Meyer-Briggs etc.

These will give you an idea of some of your interests/aptitudes.

They won't tell you what you must do, but point you in some directions.

/sarcasm I earned my degree at 43, so it MUST be too late for you while you're still in your 20's. /sarcasm

(did I do the /sarcasm thing right?... I'm never sure) :D
Click to expand...

Ha yeah seeing how many start an or go back later in life makes sense. Just been down in the trenches lately, clouds the mind.
 
#44
WokenDeer said:
Ha yeah seeing how many start an or go back later in life makes sense. Just been down in the trenches lately, clouds the mind.
Click to expand...

I'm personally pretty happy that I did my time "in the trenches". It makes you a better person and gives you time outside of the classroom to figure out who you are as a person. As an 18-year-old kid joining the Army I wanted to go to war and fix radios. Now...not so much war...and not really fixing radios...Time to move on.

In the meantime I've traveled from Paradise to someplace that resembles Hell IMO ( a few times), met thousands of different people, and formed passions in my life that I never would have imagined even attempting. I've worked in buildings with no windows, lived in a tin can, dived some of the most spectacular waters in the world, and played on stages I never knew existed. At 27 I'm fairly certain I've lived more of a life than the average 40-something, and when I'm in college I'm gonna have lots o' stories to impress the girls with :)

And I'm giving it up to go live with my parents, work a meaningless job, and grow my hair and beard :). Do I know how to make decisions or what??

I guess my point is, don't feel bad about having gotten outta school for a few years while you figured out what was up. I know that, if I had attempted college right outta high school I'd have $50k of student debt and not that much to show for it because I woulda shagged off in all my classes. Now I'm focused, and that's what matters most IMO. You can't have a trip without a destination (or at least, Acid).

Peace,
Greg
 
#45
Your absolutely right Greg. While I haven't experienced near the things you have. I'm definitely more mature now than I was right out of high school. And I'm sure I would have done the same, just wouldn't have cared. I've developed a pretty hard work ethic, though I'm still not as organized as I could be. But maybe the time away has been for the better. And I definitely understand now that I haven't missed my window. Or if that window even exists. Just an open door.
 
#46
I went to college after HS, and did not get a degree. I went back in my 30s because I did not want to work crap jobs for the rest of my life. I received my BS in Mathematics at age 37 and work a great job with a nice salary. My advice?

Go to a less expensive school. I went to a local college that used to be listed in US News and World Reports as one of the best buys in college educations. You can also do your core at a 2 year college and then go to a 4 year college to get your degree to save money. Check transfer agreements.

Get a good degree that directs you towards a good career. Accounting is duller than dirt, but if you get an accounting degree, you can always find work. My sister got her nursing degree in her 30's and can work anywhere in the country she wants. Spend some time on Google searching for the best career oriented college degrees. See if something sparks your interest. Don't pursue Art or Music or something like that. Really. A friend's daughter got her Journalism degree, and owes student loans. She works a crappy job and is going back to school to get a degree that offers more potential. Want to guess how many journalists are looking for work?

Avoid loans. I used grants and paid my way as I went. I worked and supported myself, which made it harder, but not impossible. I have no student loans. Check with student financial aid where you go to school. They can help.

In 5 years you will be 5 years older, either with a college degree, close to a college degree, or without a college degree. Choose what you think will be best.
 
#47
Go to school, go to school, go to school.

I tried right after high school and didn't do well. I then went to a technical school and that got me started in a decent career.

My dad used to bug me to take advantage and take courses at night while working. Especially when companies offered reimbursement. Like a fool I didn't listen to my old man. He was just looking out for me (something we all realize later in life).

My dad used to tell me that as you get older and gain more experience working, the schooling is key to moving up and earning more. He is correct.

In addition, take advantage of any extra training provided by employers. If there is any certification possible take the training. That's key as you age to provide you with opportunities to consult, etc.

I didn't go back until I was in my 30's. Prior to that I would work somewhere to a certain level and then not go anywhere or make very little more. Now that I have the schooling & certifications there is no ceiling other than employers staying current with salary levels.

If not sure about college, then definately look at certifications. There are so many out there for all different industries, etc. Best of luck. We are never too old to start. I went back for History but I'm now working on a Masters in Management. You'll be surprised how much a Statistics course will enhance your opportunities.

Don't dive in too much. Don't take too many courses at once. Be leery of online courses; depending on the subject they are sometimes more work and have no benefit (such as in courses that require discussion). Start out small/slow if need be with a remedial course in something that does interest you at a local community college and then transfer elsewhere.

The fact that you are contemplating is great and says a lot. Not all of us should go right after high school but that doesn't mean we shouldn't go to school.

Best of luck and don't ever give up; if only for your own personal benefit & growth.
 
#48
Hi,

I am of the opinion that: 1) It's never too late to invest in an education. 2) The topic or subject of the education is far less important than the education itself.

That said, a good way to start, if it's available in your area, is the local Junior College. Get your General Education (GE) requirements out of the way, find out relatively cheaply if you are now ready for school, and find out what you might want to major in. There are also a great many on-line options.

What ever happens, you will learn something.

edg
 
#49
guitar ed said:
Hi,

I am of the opinion that: 1) It's never too late to invest in an education. 2) The topic or subject of the education is far less important than the education itself.

That said, a good way to start, if it's available in your area, is the local Junior College. Get your General Education (GE) requirements out of the way, find out relatively cheaply if you are now ready for school, and find out what you might want to major in. There are also a great many on-line options.

What ever happens, you will learn something.

edg
Click to expand...

Well said.
You go to college to show the world that you can do the guantlet. Take general classes the. Hit your major year 3-4. College is about the experience. You meet people who will help you and you them later in life.
You know you love music so what else do you love? That's what you study. Then you have two things/careers.
If you want to be in HVAC etc go for it. Do what you love and do it well.
Depending on music for your life is fraught with peril. Do it but have another field in case. Imagine I said I was putting all my eggs in one basket by being a pro ball player. How many real jobs are there? What if I get hurt? What are my effective working years? So shouldn't I have a degree in education too so I can teach PE?
 

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