Life according to Izzy:College: Take your time.

OK so I read this blog and I really liked it and decided to comment. You should definitely check it out especially if you’re in high school/college.

Since my comment was ridiculously long, I’ve decided to convert it into a post.

If you are not sure about college, then maybe you should delay going.

I definitely agree with what you are saying. 18 years old is really young to put all of your time and effort into any one thing especially something as expensive as college.

In High School, I was one of those kids who believed those things about college and was really looking forward to higher education.
I did great the first semester and had a 3.6, dormed the next semester and dropped to a 3.0 because of partying. I failed two classes that semester. Then my 2nd year I became a commuter and it wasn’t any better. I changed my major or considered changing it about 3 or 4 times. I went in as a Journalism major, then studied psych, then did some music, then eventually I graduated as a TV/Film major.
Being unsure of your career path, and being an 18,19,20 year old kid who’s getting some REAL social freedom and is trying to manage that whole thing (alcohol, knowing when to party and when not to, peer pressure, no limits, overestimating how smart you are) really is a bad idea because College becomes a big expensive waste of time….at least for a year,usually two.

It’s a business.

The other thing that people fail to tell graduating students is that universities seem to be set up in a way that forces you to take a summer or winter semester (which costs more money) in order for you to even graduate on time. And If you were constantly not sure what major fit you and you kept taking other classes, it was even worse.
I never took a winter or summer class because I didn’t want to give them the satisfaction, The extra classes that I did take while considering other majors eventually counted as electives (which means I was lucky that those classes were not taken in vain like some of my other friends ) and I still took longer because I had to wait a year until a class I had to take was available.
During those years I kept telling my parents I wanted a semester off to think about things. They refused.
I’m about $40,000 in debt (which is nothing compared to other friends who went to private schools), I’m 24 years old, it’s been a year since I’ve graduated and I still don’t really know if I want to do what I graduated for. And even if I did ( I’ve been looking for work in the field anyway and have a great resume) because I’m entry level with not that much work experience in the field, there’s hardly any postings that I can apply for or when I do find something it’s really competitive and I end up not getting hired.
I’ve got a B.A. and it seems I am having the same problem as many that didn’t go to college…maybe worse. At least those people have more work experience.

At least try College.

I still feel college is necessary because even though it’s tough for me now, I still know that just having that degree will make it easier for me to make an impression and get hired in any field I want, even if I didn’t necessarily study it. That’s where the advantage lies with a degree.

However, I would give a few options.
1.) Go to college part time (or full time if you like being stressed) and work.
This way no matter how many years it takes you to graduate, you’ll more likely have a better gpa, more time and money to party, and at the same time you’ll get work experience.

2.) Take the first year off….to study a trade. In other words go to a trade school first. Then work in that trade as you go to school.  You’ll make better money, and if you decide to leave college you’ll have a back up career.

3.) College is a business. Don’t fall into the trap. Don’t take the extra (more expensive) winter/summer semesters. Take your time.

There’s an advantage to stretching out your time in college and that is you’ll REALLY want to get out of there which means you’ll be focused and do much better.  My best semester was my last due to my frustration with being there so long. I finally got into the dean’s list. I didn’t even know until I asked for my transcript.

So yeah , definitely work and do college at your pace. It’s your money, your time, your life.

May 19, 2010 | Categories: In Transition | Tags: advice, career, in transition, personal stories, recent graduate | Leave A Comment »