I'm having second thoughts about college. Can you help?

Question

Hello,

I just started my Sophomore year in college about a month ago, and every thing is going pretty well. But I'm having second thoughts.

I feel like I'm wasting my time here. Don't get me wrong, I love college, it's just I feel like I'm not gaining anything by being here.

The classes are challenging but not difficult. So, I don't want to quit because of them.

I already know what I want to do for a career. I want to be a Youth Correctional Counselor for the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation. You either need a bachelor's degree or go through their one year training program to be one.

I don't want to drop out, also, because I am the first one in my family to go to college. So it would suck if I dropped out.

I have a full scholarship so money isn't an issue. I have no trouble maintaining a 4.0 GPA. I just feel like I'm in some sort of day-care center for teenagers.

Any and all help or advice is GREATLY appreciated!!!!

Answer 1

Please do not give up. Getting your education is important, especially since you earned a scholar ship. Contact your student center and become a tutor for those that are less fortunate than you in the "smarts" department. They will appreciate some one who has a 4.0 GPA. It will also get you some experience dealing with different people which will help you in the long run. You NEED people skills for the type of job you are looking for.

Also keep in mind that even though the job may train you, you may start at a lower pay grade than if you have a bachelor's degree. Who is to say that you will stay in the same state that you are now?
Try to find out if they have a juvenile detention center in your area, so you may get to work with youth (under 18) who are in the juvenile system. It is possible that you may need to be 21 but check any way. Talk to the local school district and find out where the Alternative High Schools are. Often you will find young people who do not follow societal rules and fall behind because of being incarcerated or just not going to school. Often you have delinquency among them. You would be surprised the lingo you pick up when you are around them!!!! Been there, heard it!

Reach out into your college community. You sound like you have a lot to offer.

Try to see if you can test out (CLEP) some of your classes, which mean that you take the test and if you pass you get the credit without sitting through the class. I believe you still have to pay for the class. See if something like that exists.

If you like to stretch your mind try something new, something you have never studied before. College is for trying new things (keep in legal!!!!).

Check out the different social clubs they have where you can volunteer.

Again do not give up. In order to understand youth, you need to know what they do, what they get into and/or deal with on a daily bases etc.

Please send me an e-mail if you would like to discuss specifics. I work with Youth Corrections and Rehabilitation on a daily bases in WA.

Answer 2

It is great that you know what you want to do. Here are a couple of things to consider:

1. You may not want to do that forever. Having a degree will give you options that will not be there without a degree.

2. Even if you do want to be a counselor forever, you may want to do it somewhere else at some point -- and you may not be able to do that without a college degree.

3. You may eventually decide to go into a supervisory position or to do more advanced types of counseling. An MBA or a MS or PhD in psychology or in social work could get you there -- and those would not be options for you if you leave school.

The average 25 year old with a college degree makes $20K more than the average 25 year old without a degree. The gap widens as you get older.

You are on a great path -- why close all those doors because you think there is an easier way to do what you want to do NOW?

Answer 3

I'm a freshmen in college and nowhere near being a sophomore but i can tell you i felt the exact same way, i was just sitting down one day outside wondering "okay why am i here?" i just couldn't stand the fact that i had to take almost 50 classes just to graduate!! do you know how much that is! and I'm trying to finish in 4 years, believe me I've already had enough of school and now i have 4 more years of this crap, i love college though, its so much better then normal school. but you have to think about it, once you drop out then what are you gonna do the whole time youre out, so many good well paid jobs depend on college degree?? are you gonna survive off of McDonald's? be a waitress, flip burgers and drop fries in the grease you're whole life! no way, Ive been there at Domino's and Wendy's and i will tell you i couldn't imagine me working there for the rest of my life, i was miserable and quite and embarassed even though i was just there to have free cash in my pocket. that's why I'm looking for forward to finishing college becuase hopfully one day i want to be my own boss or be able to wake up every morning and go to a job i LOVE. another thing to think about, while youre in college its just for those first few years, 4, 5, 6 maybe, but during those years, you are preparing for the rest of your life 50, 60 70 years later, thats a long time. stay in college,

Answer 4

Youre in it for that little peice of paper at the end. A diploma will not only help you get a variety of jobs and promotions, but it also will typically put you into a higher pay scale. If youre bored increase your class load or your extracurriculars. If it's too easy smoke a lil pot before you go to class, it will get a bit more interesting.

Youre already partway through. Just keep it up and youll have that cherished little peice of paper. It will help later. If you think it'sa daycare or all the other students are mentally too young, then don't hang out around the campus.

Find yourself a significant other to waste time with, or a couple of good smart friends. Youll regret it in 20 years if you drop out now.

Answer 5

Consider yourself luckier than most that you have a scholarship and good grades. It only means that you have greater chances of excelling academically. I know federal jobs actually start you at a specific salary based on your college GPA. If you know what you want to do career-wise then its all the more reason to continue college. Who cares how immature the other students are and focus on yourself. You may even find that your career choice has changed or that you have time to double major or join organizations. Or, as others have stated, apply for a more challenging school. College being too easy or kids too immature seems an awful reason to get out.

In short, you seem to be at a greater advantage than most students who go to school, not knowing what they want in life. Just stay in school, graduate with honors, and pursue that career of yours. Education is always a good investment no matter what path you take.

Answer 6

It does sound like you aren't being challenged quite enough, but I think the biggest reason to stay in college is that even if you get exactly the job you want without college, the standards for everything keep going up. You may find down the road that in order to keep your job, or in order to move up to the next level, you will need that college degree. Once you have it, no one can take it away from you and you will be set for the rest of your life.

Answer 7

I like most of the above answerer's, think you should stay in college.

The one thing they haven't mentioned is the difference between the first 2 years and the last 2 years. The first 2 are mostly college requirements that are not specific to your major and so do not spark much interest. The last 2 will contain mostly your major and at least for me became interesting and exciting.

The flexibility of a degree is something I think you will be thankful for your whole life.

lol

Answer 8

transfer to a more difficult college if it really bothers you that much. but trust me if you drop out and explain to future employers that you left because college was just too easy, they will not believe you. if you decide you hate working in the California Dept. of Corrections and Rehabilitation, you'll need a bachelor's degree to get another job.

Answer 9

What about a double major? Talk to your professors, they can give you work that can help challenge you.

Can you be a tutor/mentor at this "day care for teenagers"? Although you don't have academic problems, there are some kids that are struggling with school.

Whatever you do, dont drop out. Your future job will await you after you graduate.

Answer 10

An education is something that can never be taken away from you. What happens if your dream job does not work out and you need to go a different direction? You can always fall back on your education experience to help you with a new job. Education also shows an employer that you can start and finish something that takes stamina and commitment.