Do you ever feel like you are lacking a direction in life? Just recently I've had that feeling. I am currently a student who is 3 years into a 4 year degree with at least 2 years left. The last year and a half has been more floundering than anything. Part of me wonders if I am afraid of change and afraid of leaving what is a somewhat comfortable place I am in now as far as what I am doing. I don't want to be here forever, yet I feel like I'd be letting my family down if I didn't finish up school and get this damned degree. This sucks sitting here awake at night wondering if I am doing the right thing for me of if I am doing what I think I am supposed to do.

I've got a job back home with the family business, but yet I feel as though I am not really welcome at home if I am not continuing my education. I am a business major in school which is definitely something that I will need down the road. I would like to take a year off or something like that I but if I do decide to take time off I am afraid that I'll never finish the schooling. I just don't know what to do. I have never been one to not know what I want to do with myself or in life so this is somewhat of a surprise to me. The worst part is sitting here worrying about all of this. Any words of advice or suggestions?

 

You'll never regret sticking it out and getting the degree. Once you've got it, you've got it for the rest of your life, and all it cost you was another year and a half. Don't get it, and you came within 18 months of getting it, but didn't, for the rest of your life.

Get it, and all the opportunities that are open only to degree holders are now open to you. Don't get it, and all those doors close. Maybe you don't care about a lot of those doors today, but life is long and you never know exactly where it's going to take you.

Now, one justifiable change in direction would be a change in degree. Lots of people start university in one program and then discover a field that fits them better. No problem - change gears, but you're still on track to that degree-holder future.

What's really dumb would be to completely throw away nearly three years of work with so much to gain from just another 18 months effort.

What you need is a vision of your future. Everyone needs a picture in their mind of where they're going, and that picture has to be appealing. Business degree, then back home to ease into managing the family business, using your knowledge build it up into something your parents could not have imagined, nice home, nice wife, nice life....

 

Couldn't have said it better myself...

Also to answer your question about floundering.
I feel the same way and most people get that feeling every now and then.. We get impatient when things take to long and start second guessing our actions.. You will get the direction back the closer you get to completing your degree..

Stick with it.. It is definitely where you are suppose to be..

 

Chris...I'm with the other guys...stick it out...the degree is something that can't be taken away!!!


Now...reach around behind you...grab your hair firmly...and pull your head out of your butt!!!

Good luck!!!

 

My grandaddy always said that education is something no one can take away. We all lack direction once or twice inour lives and we always seem to find our way. I think a lot of what your frustration is that you have been in school for what seems like forever and yes it becomes mundane and seems like it will never end. Everyday you are one day closer to the finish line than you were the day before. I know it sounds like blah blah blah blah but it is true. You will be finished sooner than you think and then you can exhale. You are getting ready to step into the big world from your comfort zone you have come to know. I know you have the questions what if this or what if that because of not being sure of your footing. We all have that whether it be with education, a job, our mate or our family. I often feel those same feelings everyday but mine are on a different plane than yours. You are human. You have soul and you have a great heart. You will do fine just take each day and some of the greatest advice I ever got was from my grandaddy "You cannot change the past but you can ruin the present by worrying about the future" I know we all have faith in you to do what is best for you but you need to have that same faith in yourself. I will say "stick it out, have faith, keep your eyes on the prize, and know you can always come in here and vent or ask for strength when you feel the need!

 

Chirs Everyone has said what is exactly right.Doors do close quick without a education.I know from experience I am having to rethink everythink for myself at my age which is hard to do.

 

look whats going on out there in the real world right now. finish up your degree and you wont regret it, plus you will feel welcome at home, and thats always an important thing

 

one word. Alcohol. It has helped me. Not large quantities, but a few sips helps to calm my nerves, lower my anxiety. I am a 26 year old college student getting financial help from the folks and wont graduate until 2010, I will be a month shy of 28. Will have taken me 6 years for a 5 year degree (Mechanical Engineering)

I find that the biggest help is trying to find that time to sit down, relax, have a few sips with a roomate or good friend. Like what I am doing right now....at 1 in the afternoon...

 

I been there before. You get to the point were it seems like college will never end. I swore that I was never going to leave the university till one day i looked at my degree plan and it was almost complete. I still had about 2 years left, but i could see the light at the end of the tunnel. It was very dim, but there was a light. After that college was fine, i felt better about what I was doing and overall i was happier. If you do want to take a semester off I would highly advise against it, with the exception of co-ops. They allow you to gain tons of experience and it is a major advantage when you start job interviews straight out of college.

Jimmy,
What classes are you currently taking?

Chris

 

I've posted about this before, but I'll post it again.

My dad started his degree in his 30's, got his BA at 39. He did it all part time, after his day job, after dinner with his wife and 3 kids. 3 or 4 nights a week, I can't say for sure... Took him a long time. But it's doable. I want to do the same thing, eventually.

 

I did that and it took me 12 years for my BS in Electrical Engineering.. Started at 23.

 

Thanks guys, you just confirmed what I figured all along. I guess I am just frustrated.

 

Apply some alcohol to the infected area.

(That means get drunk, ya retard...)

 

Mechanical Engineering. Currently taking Thermodynamics 2, and Diff Eqs. and Technical writing, not a hard quarter, the next one is gonna suck.

Intermediate Strength and Materials, Fluid Dynamics, Technical Presentation, and C++ for Engineering

 

Ah, fond memories of Green's Theorem, probably my all-time favourite. I wonder if anyone still uses the Arfken..