My Future - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

Solid Snake · #1 05-18-2011, 08:19 AM

Hey guys,

Recently, I've grown tired of most of the people I call my 'friends' at school, to the point I changed friend groups twice over the course of the semester. Going to Colgate, the academics are challenging and the location doesn't make it any easier-- I don't need the stress that self-righteous college students add to the curriculum. One of the true friends I have there is from India, and coincidentally, we both have always wanted to join the armed forces, the French Foreign Legion (I'm not even joking) specifically. Now, being almost twenty years old, I'm at the point where the options for my future are narrowing, and I don't want to be behind the pack on these lifetime decisions.

Most of you, or as I generally deduce, all of you are older than me and have been around the block numerous times, while I'm still trying to make my first pass around smoothly. My question is, what is a kid to do? Should I continue at Colgate for the degree, transfer maybe? In that case, I would have to take a semester off in order to submit an application. I can join the armed forces, preferably the Air Force, and go OCS. To be frank, this is the first time I've ever put this much thought into the ordeal. I always told myself I'd be a plastic surgeon and live happily ever after. Of course, that was just limiting my outlook, and put me where I am today.

Any inputs or nuggets of wisdom are greatly appreciated!

Thanks,

Carlen

layback40 · #2 05-18-2011, 08:34 AM

If you are bored with your present situation, best study hard & complete what you have started. Then you have something. Put your energies into your studies, not socializing. There will be plenty of time for that once you are on your way.

TX76513 · #3 05-18-2011, 08:47 AM

Well I am going to add in.....don't burn yourself out either. Everyone needs a break every now and then so don't throw the baby out with the bathwater - socializing in youth is as important as networking as an adult.

I always told myself I'd be a plastic surgeon and live happily ever after Yeah, after you pay off the half million dollar student loans

Fulcrum525 · #4 05-18-2011, 08:58 AM

Will you be in CT on Friday? A couple of us are meeting for dinner in Milford;
300TD Road Trip "This European Life: an open travelogue"
If you can swing by we'll throw you some pointers

kerry · #5 05-18-2011, 09:06 AM

My advice is to stay in college. I see a fair number of students returning to college later in life. While there are benefits to doing that, they are usually juggling a lot of other responsibilities that come with age. Colgate's a good school and you'll get a good education.

Solid Snake · #6 05-18-2011, 09:27 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Fulcrum525

Will you be in CT on Friday? A couple of us are meeting for dinner in Milford;
300TD Road Trip "This European Life: an open travelogue"
If you can swing by we'll throw you some pointers

I'd love to, thanks for the heads up!

Solid Snake · #7 05-18-2011, 09:34 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kerry

My advice is to stay in college. I see a fair number of students returning to college later in life. While there are benefits to doing that, they are usually juggling a lot of other responsibilities that come with age. Colgate's a good school and you'll get a good education.

I definitely see where this is coming from-- the last thing I want to deal with is added responsibilities on top of getting my education (It's hard enough already!).

Don't get me wrong, I love Colgate more than any other single place I've ever been, but dealing with kids who act like it's summer camp is mind wracking

TX and layback,

I also see the merits to both ends here. I try to balance my studying to socializing at a 60-40 split, but when people come to you with their problems seemingly larger than life, you get sucked in. To top it off, ex-friends who live with current friends don't make things any easier on the process. If I could go to school and socialize with normal people like I do here, it'd be an Easy A.

The Swede · #8 05-18-2011, 09:45 AM

So your social situation makes you feel like leaving college for another endeavor?

Whatever is bothering you will blow over (I know, it sounds trite), give it another week or so.

If it's still an issue, make an appointment to see a counselor. There should be some on staff at Colgate.

padrino · #9 05-18-2011, 09:46 AM

Stay at school kid, this is the best place you can be at the moment. 20 years old.....you don't have any idea how much life is ahead of you. From the use of the English language you sound like a well versed individual, make the most of your time and get the degree you want/need...after that the world is your oyster.
Good luck.

Fulcrum525 · #10 05-18-2011, 09:51 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Solid Snake

Don't get me wrong, I love Colgate more than any other single place I've ever been, but dealing with kids who act like it's summer camp is mind wracking

I also see the merits to both ends here. I try to balance my studying to socializing at a 60-40 split, but when people come to you with their problems seemingly larger than life, you get sucked in. To top it off, ex-friends who live with current friends don't make things any easier on the process. If I could go to school and socialize with normal people like I do here, it'd be an Easy A.

Cut the social side by half.

Solid Snake · #11 05-18-2011, 09:55 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by The Swede

So your social situation makes you feel like leaving college for another endeavor?

Whatever is bothering you will blow over (I know, it sounds trite), give it another week or so.

If it's still an issue, make an appointment to see a counselor. There should be some on staff at Colgate.

Social complications as well as boredom with the curriculum. While it's a great school with great facilities and alumnus organizations, I don't know how any alumnus got to that point without wanting to shoot themselves! The teachers are great and try keep it interesting, it's just hard to find Natural sciences interesting while taking the information to heart.

As cliche as that may have been, it's overused for a reason

Honestly, some of my friends are the best people I've ever met, but some just turned into fire-breathing dragons and harpies.

Solid Snake · #12 05-18-2011, 10:08 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Fulcrum525

Cut the social side by half.

That really seems to be the issue. It's just hard to find 'fun' in upstate New York without social connections. There is honestly nothing to do within an hours drive radius from my school, and without the social connections you build, you are hard-pressed to locate things to do with your free time.

When I brought my car up, it took a great edge off when I can retreat to the lot outside my house and work on it, but some ex friends thought it'd be fun to call campus safety, so I wasn't allowed to so much as think about opening my hood

If it's any consolation to you W126 owners out there, college girls love em

One of my girlfriends told me she wanted to buy one, but as afraid to drive a big car after her mini cooper!

pj67coll · #13 05-18-2011, 10:39 AM

Quit your socializing and get your degree.

- Peter.

kerry · #14 05-18-2011, 10:50 AM

X2 on the location. However there is some good hiking and I think some good paddling in your vicinity. Join the outdoor club and start canoeing/kayaking/hiking. Maybe even some sailing on the Finger Lakes or Lake Ontario.

The Swede · #15 05-18-2011, 10:56 AM

Think of these social "problems" as training. You'll be running into this same thing out in the real world; work, family, etc.