Tired of College?

Question

Im a Junior at a University, and Im just basically wiped out. Im 23 and I should have graduated already but I had to take a year of due to an illness. Now that Im back Im seeing all of my friends graduate, and I just dont want to do it anymore. I guess im just already tired of all the stress..I know it really important, but does anyone else have this problem? and how do u deal with it?

Answer 1

You ask yourself if you want to either work at McDonald's or possibly own one. Simply having a high school diploma earns you next to NOTHING in today's job market and a BS/BA is meaning less. OBTAIN YOUR COLLEGE DEGREE!!!!!!!!!! Education equals power, without it, you have nothing. Damn the fact that your friends are graduating and your tired. No one said life was easy, that includes college life. COPE and keep it moving towards the ceremony
And I dealt with it by remembering that college was not free and that minimum wage was not for me.

Answer 2

I do not recommend taking a break. Think about it you are only 10 classes from graduating not 30 or 40. Many people who drop out of college find it very difficult to come back. Maybe do something fun over the weekend with your friends or family that you have never done before. You need a change but leaving college now is not the answer. You will be sorry if you do. Stick it out, this is one of those things in life you need to stick with. Set up things in the next few months to look forward to. I know it is a tough time right now but like may be tougher if you quit.

Answer 3

Take comfort in knowing that you made it further than most people. 50% of all first year students never return, 14% of Community College Students never complete an Associate's Degree or transfer to a University and less than 24% of all Americans (22% of women and 26% of men) over the age of 25 have any degree at all.

Do the smart thing, find a way to take that much needed break and learn a valuable skill (not just vo-tech) while you wait. I joined the Army and did all I have ever set out to do.

Answer 4

Ever hear the expression "Don't 'should' on yourself"? You'll graduate on your own schedule, not someone else's. Stay with it, please.

It took me eight years to get back to college. By that time, I had to attend part-time and work, pay bills, etc. That really slowed me down in career development. I finally got to do the job I love and make good money, but it took me into middle age to do it.

This is your journey, stop comparing yourself with others. Like you said, you lost your momentum when you got sick. That's not your fault. Give yourself a break.

I would encourage you to talk with a counselor about ways to "de-stress" your life. Perhaps, going part-time. Keep it simple. Best of luck.

Answer 5

No big deal... in a paper-oriented society such as ours, a diploma is an essential credential. Therefore, the rule within the social standards is to prod and trod to get that piece of paper.

Sure, maybe you can get better learning hands-on by getting employed, but only to such limits and extent. That piece of paper still remains the essential passport to better employment opportunities and larger avenues for learning.

I have further details... I'm sending you an email.

Answer 6

Just stick with it. Remind yourself you only have three more semesters before joining the real (but crappy corporate) world. College years are the years to enjoy following high school. When you are 35 you are going to remember the fun times you had in college. Enjoy It!

I'm thinking about going back to get another degree, myself.

Answer 7

Handling stress is pretty difficult. College is a high-pressure environment; I dropped out when I was a Junior. I took as much as I could take back then, and I have wanted to kick myself, for leaving, in the rear ever since.

First the stress: Lighten up your course load if you can. I found out that I couldn't take the 18 credit hours recommend by my department. I later, found out that I did better on 15 credit hours. Next check your social activities, if you don't have any then you need to find something that you can enjoy. This isn't just to blow off steam, but it is to get involved in something that uses your mind, but doesn't have the high pressure of class. I liked science fiction so I joined the Science Fiction club on campus. Later I also joined the War Gaming club. For me war games were a great way to blow off steam. It is also a great way to make new friends. If your old ones are moving on then you will need some new friends.

Start a study group. It is easier to study with a small group of people, and more effective than studying by yourself; if the course work is too much then you can help each other with the course load. If it is a course involving math, or working out problems then you can check each other's work. Plus the feedback will make you fill less isolated. Isolation is a killer in College.

You need something to get that spark back. Audit a class that interests you. If you audit a class then you don't have to do the homework or take the tests. You can talk with the head of the department and the teacher and see if they will let you get in. If you get bored then you can always quite going.

If the pressure is getting bad then you should consider an on campus counselor and see them. You can find them through the on campus medical facility or through the Administration Center. Sometimes just talking with somebody can ease your feelings. Depression in college is a common event and most schools offer some sort of help, if you go out and seek it.

The Mistake you are contemplating: I had a bit of a nervous breakdown and left college (as a Junior) and ended up spending 4 years in the Army. I had a good time, but I learned that the Army wasn’t for me and I hated being a pee-on. I had to do stuff that I didn’t like, and I had to take orders from some people that I had no respect for. When I got out I tried to return to college. This time I didn’t have my parents’ help and finding the money was a lot more difficult. I had some trouble with the classes because things had changed in my industry during the years I was away. Once I was out in the real world and having to work for a living, without a college degree, I learned how valuable that degree would be. I also learned that after rent (even with a roommate), utilities and food there wasn’t any money left over for tuition, and I didn’t have the G.I. Bill back then to help (I just happened to join at the wrong time). I applied for financial aid, but it didn’t go very far.

I have some regrets in live (we all do) and leaving college was a big one. It took me over 15 years to finally get a degree. I was an expert draftsman, but outside of the Army, no one accepted that experience and without a college degree employers didn’t want to talk with me; my resumes got ignored in droves. Sure I could find jobs as a Pizza Deliver Driver, Fast Food Worker, or a Security Guard, but those were jobs that let me just barely get by. I didn’t want to live that way and the road out was going to be a tough one.

I don’t know your course, your school, or even your major so it is going to be hard to give you any specific advice. Leaving school is going to be a huge mistake and one you will regret later. I know that it is hard now, but you are so close to getting your degree.

If you just stick it out and try hard, then you are going to hate it and do poorly. You need to regenerate that spark that will get you interested in taking classes again. College can be a great time if you let it, but you need to work on it to find something that fits. Find your bliss and stick with it, even if it is just arts and crafts. My whole family has a creative bent and we all like to make things with our hands. I live in an apartment and I still have a wood working area (so much for the Dinning Room). Find something like that which you can do. Just going out and drinking your sorrows under is going to make you one depressed drunk. There are so many things that you can do, you just have to look for them. College should be fun and the lack of fun is killing your spirit, but don’t get too carried away.

Answer 8

Ya, I had this problem. Now, I work in a MNC. I've solved this problem by making a good resume, highliting my plus points and hence ensuring that I get the job. Remember that, You do not loose the war of life unless and untill you yourself accept defeat.

Answer 9

I left... but I am going to strongly argue against taht decision... I do not have the money to go back... I have a responsibility to my family, my husband, and our coming child... I do not regret the decision but i definatly know i would not recomend thowing away years of hard work because it seems hard now...

Answer 10

Maybe you need a change of scenery. I can tell you I finished my degrees in 3 years by not looking up.

Put a goal up that you really want to do next after college. For instants I wanted to go to Japan, but you can't be an English teacher in Japan without a college degree. I had a picture of a Gaisha on my desk. Now for my oh so expesensive textbooks; I found some images of Japan I liked and printed them onto labels then stuck them on my books. That way I always took my dream with me.

Everytime I wanted to give up I saw these pictures.

I know you feel out of step with your friends but don't look at that as horrible it is an oppurtunity. They will be trying the job market before you. Keep in contact and you might even find some doors open from these very same friends.

Second take some time for yourself. Hell I'll admitt it! I was a huge Buffy the Vampire Slayer fan and I had a few of my favorite episodes taped for when I was feeling blue.

Illness took a little wind out of your sail but that not to be unexpected, but you know better than I why you feel this way but then realize that it's just feeling you made it this far so I dare say you are already a pretty strong minded person.

Talk to someone, I talked to my mother about it. She told me what job options I would have if I came back. I thought, "naw did security been there done that."

If watching your friends leave early is a little upsetting watching your colleagues move ahead faster because of a crappy piece of paper will sting even more especially since you are in your junior year. (Do I hear, a why didn't I just finish!) (Excuse me I am a drama queen at heart.)

I know just cause you got that important college paper doesn't mean.... I know try being homeless the year after you got your degree. Been there done that and it sucked but then again I got hired by Andersen Consulting the next year because I had it, and fit the bill because of my degree. I graduated a year before everyone I hung out with. So it was hard my friends couldn't offer the hook-ups until almost two years after college. I was the one who was struggling and all my friends could say was wow that sucks. I was the one to tell them to contact the jobs now that they were even slightly interested in. Way too late for me by that time.

Find something to releave your stress. I shoot hoops, I suck at basketball that miracle gene never got passed on to me. Even thought I was in close proximity of Micheal Jordon.LOL.

But shooting by myself I feel alive and when I finally get the ball through the hoop it's worth everything for me. You are always going to have stress trust me now isn't as big as it can get. Try having kids, a wife, pet and yadda, yadda to take care of. All while those college loans come back to haunt you for a degree you haven't finished.

Yes I know kind of sucks. My suggestion rent the sci-fi movie the Librarian it's funny at least to me but sometimes I wish I had never left college.

The grass is always greener... Take your time relax this isn't a race it's just something that you are doing to help you to the next step, honestly no need to rush. But I'll tell you keep in touch with those graduating friends and you'll be one step ahead of them by having people you know and trust already in the business world. (Even probably whatever field you are working for as it seems people who major together seem to stick together as friends in College.)

Oh yeah, I've been here eight years in Japan, my next step Sweden but I had to set goals to finish off my college loans and get to the next step Grad school. It has taken ten years for me to finally get here but I am here, three months from financial burden.

I know that you will find yourself in similiar situation you'll look back at that hiccup in time and say wow, that was close but I finished.

Maybe you'll be looking at your spouse, and your little one John or Jane Jr. while your pet Spot is wagging his tail by your leg. Maybe it will be from your own house, with that sporty family car that you go work in and pick up the kids for extra-cirricular activities. Thinking this is the year I'am going to get that raise. Next stop nice relaxing beach in the south of France.

I'll tip my ownn wine glass to you and I'll say hey you got a job for me!