Is college a waste of time or "worth" it?

[Hatterasguy]

I don't know if this is going to sound like complaining, hope if doesn't come out that way. But I am sick of school this year. Its like I burned out or something, I have so little interest in it anymore.

I'm a little over half way through my degree, I should have a bit over 70 credits after this year and need 120. I find myself thinking about that a lot lately and keep saying to myself "is it worth it?" What has put me over the edge is math, I can't do math, I hate it, don't understand it. Why do I have to know algebra, and calculus? Warren Buffet says its useless, so why bother learning something of so little use to me?

This bothers me because said school offers some classes I want to take, but can't for a couple of years because I don't have enough credits. I look at the 500 level MBA classes about international business finance and such, and I'm like ok lets stop the crap, let me take them! So this brings me to the next thing, because I can't learn it fast enough at school I seek other means. But the problem with this is when I do get to those classes, I'm already past them. Real estate law and real estate finance are examples this semester. Both are good beginner level classes, but its dull as can be for me because I'm a bit past the concepts they talk about.
I enjoy real estate law because I can pump the professor for info, but he only lets me do this so much because we get way, way beyond the class. I always hated school and frankly am surprised at how I took to college for the first couple of years. I have always preferred to learn on my own ever since I was a little kid. Its not that I don't have interests in the typical fields that schooling covers. I love history and read books avidly about it, I also love literature and enjoy a good story very much. My passion is real estate, and business, I absolutely devour any real estate info that comes my way.

I almost think that after this year, I should take a year off and get a taste of the real world. That will either make me realize how important this is and finish my degree, or that maybe I am right.

Another thing that is eating at me is I have a business plan, a really good one I think, that I am dieing to pull the trigger on. But cannot because of college, said business is an all or nothing deal. If I can't put in 110% of my effort and 110% of my time it won't work. I feel like I am wasting so much time, to learn this stuff when I can figure it out faster on my own.

So am I a whiney kid who should shut up and do his homework, or do I have a point? Some of you guys are pretty smart and I'd be interested in hearing what you think on this subject. I have already talked to several people about it and want to hear more opinions.

[NKowi]

Let's ask Camille.

[GermanStar]

Don't take a year off -- finish what you started. If you're burning out, take a few less credit hours next semester and do more partying. I stayed in school as long as I could -- I never wanted to leave. Bottom line is this -- if you don't finish, you've wasted 120 credit-hours of your life and won't have that degree you'll be proud of some day soon. Life is a long haul -- don't be too anxious to jump in while you still have time to play,

[Austin85]

Sounds like you're asking for opinions...which are as common as......everybody's got one.

As a parent if I had to give you advice I would say that there is no harm in taking time off from college to check out your business plan; as long as you are 100% capable of following through on it, and as long as you are willing and able to go back for your degree if & when necessary.

[JWJ]

If someone else is paying your way and you're burning out - then have some fun for a semester then back to serious school work. Get a math tutor - they really do help.

Starting a degree is a big question but if you're already half way thru - finish it. It sounds like its important for your future line of work anyway.

After getting married and having two kids I'm still trying to finish my degree. Trust me - not finishing gets old.

Originally Posted by Hatterasguy

I almost think that after this year, I should take a year off and get a taste of the real world.

Do NOT do that. It would be the biggest mistake of your life. You would find it much harder to get back into the habits that come with school and you may end up getting to that "eh, I'll do it next month."

Go straight from high school to college. It's the best way.

[unkl300d]

depends.. if you take time off, make sure you are the type that won't have to overcome inertia to get back into study mode. Maybe better just to take a lesser load of classes and get some PE classes like diving, sailing, volleyball etc..

What is a waste of time generally is going to classes. If you are bright, then read the book and associated materials. Find out what exams are like for each prof.
Just take exams and ace them. assuming class attendance is not part of the grade.

stick with it. You may not end up making a living with what your degree is but the diploma makes a big difference in the job market and your profile later.

[Austin85]

Originally Posted by PaulC

Austin, please keep your lab away from the keyboard.

Woof.

College is not for everyone & it sounds like he is more interested in persuing his own business.
Some people are better at business than others.....Of course 1st choice would be to stay in classes and try to put some time into the b. plan as a part time venture.
It's not like he's asking if he should drop out of college and get a job a McD's....

[Trakehner]

The really interesting thing is that this question has been asked on so many other discussion forums I follow(sometimes twice a week), it makes one wonder what colleges are doing wrong.

[JWJ]

Each case is of course unique.

But I've seen so many guys quit college due to the lack of support from parents. Families that would pay for their daughter's college but told their son if he wants college then he will need to pay for it himself. The guys end up bending over backwards to do a full time job and college. They break and give up.

The explanation from parents is that boys need to be men and don't need help. Girls need college to support themselves whether it be with an actual degree or by "finding" a husband at school. I've seen many a young lady get her degree one week and the next get married.

[kamil]

Originally Posted by NKowi

Let's ask Camille.

You know how I feel about the subject.

Do not stop. I'm kind of in the same boat where I am burned out this semester and don't really feel like doing the work. Re-motivate yourself. Go see some guest speakers if your school holds seminars, go to various shareholder meetings in NYC etc etc. Crap like that gets me really motivated as all I see is dollar signs.

[G-Benz]

Many years ago I got burnt out and took one of those "self-imposed sabbaticals"...I was a mid-year junior when i did that.

The bad part was the gravy-train guaranteed student loan program dried up (Carter left and Reagan took over) and was harder to obtain. When I decided to finish, I had to take on a couple of part-time jobs and night school to get back on track.

Long story short...took an additional 3 years to complete.

Now I was in a technical program (mechanical engineering) so math was a lifestyle. But looking back, I attribute my attitude to laziness, not being burnt out. Despite the studying and pressure to succeed, I think the college experience is a piece of cake compared to life.

When you consider how the US has outsourced just about everything except some basic services, I can't imagine how anyone could consider striking out in corporate America without a degree.

Now if you think you have the moxie to start your own venture capital, that's another story...but it will be difficult to find investors willing to hand over funds to a math-illiterate college dropout...

[JWJ]

Wear a condom during your sabbatical!

Pregnancy can stop college...

[Botnst]

I worked my way through school partly on the GI Bill, which I earned, and partly from regular employment. I took the CLEP series before entering and tested-out of 27 hrs, which meant I started as a sophomore. That sounds great, huh? BS, it was a freaking nightmare. I didn't have more than a handful of 1000 level courses, meaning I started at 2000 and 3000 level courses and had developed no study habits and had very little background. Also, I couldn't handle a job and school simultaneously.

So I'd live lean and go to school of a couple of semesters and when money dried-up I'd go back to work for 3-4 semesters, still living lean, to save money so I could go back to school.

My kids have received academic scholarships (mercifully) and so I haven't had to take loans and they haven't needed jobs, except for what I call luxury spending (if it ain't food, utilities or rent, it's a luxury). I cover some clothing expenses, insurance and some fuel money and that's about it. In turn, my kids have a wonderful opportunity to learn the simple virtues of poverty. They cry in anguish and gnash their teeth but they're also really, really careful with money.

Bottom line is this, Hatt. You're smart enough for a university education so don't sell your life cheap. If you go to college earn it. If you don't go to college do something equally productive, if not educational. Get a job that challenges your mind and body. Do something that is going to build a foundation for your life. Don't piss-away these years of vitality and freedom.

B

[Kuan]

It's not a waste of time. You are the product of all your experiences, even bad ones. We all have to do things we don't like, but that doesn't mean we stop growing as a person. In the present form, you'd like to think that you're the best of all possible people that you could be. Odd, 'cause in some alternate universe, you'd think you were the best that you could be, which isn't true, which, makes it untrue that you're the best that you could be, even though you are. Sounds pretty fatalistic.

Anyway point is, grass is greener thinking ends in contradiction. Working through the puzzle is a lot of times more important than finishing the puzzle itself. Hang in there, finish college, and then return to this thread in about 40 years.