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advice: dropping out

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aggels

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Okay guys, I need some advice here, so I'd be thankful if some of you could oblige. Who here didn't go to university, or dropped out before getting a degree? Of those, what sort of job do you have, are you happy in the job, how have you moved up through jobs, are you happy with the decision to not get a degree, and what can't you do without a degree?

I'm in my fourth year of a three year degree, and I've only finished about half of it. I haven't failed much (only in first year) but I keep dropping subjects etc halfway through. I dropped out after first year, and then came back a year later, redid first year, and then started dropping subjects halfway through each semester during second year (so I still have to pay HECS but didn't actually fail.) I wanted to be a teacher when I started uni up again, but that idea is slowly fading - I'd love to teach, but my academic record sucks. I love my course (BA), but it's just not working for me anymore. I'm not motivated to keep going for another year and a half, as I'll be nearly 24 when I've finished, and half the people I finished highschool with will have houses etc. I have no idea what I want to do with my life, but I don't want to end up on the scrapheap. I don't want to end up with just another dead end job. Is it really worth continuing to just get my degree, or would it be smarter to drop out, get a job, and work my way up like that. Basically what I'm asking is what are my options if I don't have a degree. (sorry to be a me me me topic.)

Thankyou!
 
If it's sucking the life outta you then defer and get a job of some sort. The job will in all probability suck, and this will give you more impetus to study. Plenty of people without jobs do fine, and plenty of people with degrees have crappy or non-existent jobs. But, overall, a degree helps.
 
You need some relief from your course, but it's worth perservering with, if that's the sort of field that interests you. I don't have a degree and I've done alright for myself, but ultimately if you have any ambition, you'll hit a glass ceiling without that bit of paper. I did the same as you, went through a course at half-speed and eventually chucked it in, hated the subject, and still hate those subjects. My main regrest was doing thoat particularly course. Still I'm thinking of heading back to uni (if they give me a bunch of credits for my work experience) to get that bit of paper, albeit in a different field.
 

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Dude.....been there, done that.

Dropped out of 2nd year Arts at Sydney Uni....realised that the end result drinking all the scholarship and bursary money the were throwing at me would have a net result of making me a extroadinarily well-read taxi driver. So i dropped out....

Then, ironically enough, i spent the next 18 months doing exactly that kind of job - shelf-stacking, barman, bouncer, petrol station guy..... it SUCKED GIGANTIC LEPROUS ASS.

Then i foung a degree i liked, in which i chewed bubblegum and kicked ass. Then i walked into a job doing exactly what i wanted to do. Now i make good money, and dont shave or wear shoes to work if i dont want to.

(Dont get me wrong - having to work still sucks, but its sucks less ass than other jobs i've done...)

Do NOT drop out - its pointless. The cool thing about having completed one year of uni is that other uni's equate that with matriculation as far as applying for one of thier degree programs. My advice (echoing Jim Boy - find a degree that interests, and (dare i say it) even inspires you - the one you're currently engaged in obviously doesnt. Then do that.

Finally - do not think that having a degree in a particular discipline anchors you to a job in a particular field, yadda yadda, cos it dont. When i tell peeps i went to uni with what i'm doing, they cant see the connection....
 
Try and stick it out, if possible.

Having said that, if you really want to drop out, make sure you have a job lined up before leaving.

I'm still at uni, but I know getting a job might be hard it you are picky (mate of mine was like that, and it took him ages to get a job), so make sure you line something up.
 
I wouldn't say drop out... But try to take as much academic leave as humanily possible and work for a bit... I think you'll find that mature aged students tend to have more success than those who come straight out of high school... If you can see if you can swindle at least one maybe two years off... Find out what YOU want to do... and then come back :)

And i definitely agree with the Monkey man... Just cause u have a degree doesn't mean your limited to that field of work...

I'll pass on a couple of pieces of info we got told from a lecturer last year... People who have a uni degree come out $400,000 head of what it costs them (i have no idea how they come up with that figure :confused: )

And the other one... The average person will have at least 4 different careers in there life time :)
 
I'd say find something you want to do.

**** the idea you gotta have a house and a kid and a suburban drone-dom, dude. So what if your high-school friends have a house by age 24? Is that what you want?
I'm 24 and I'm not on the scrap heap. I got 50 ****ing years of debauchery and good times ahead. You're young. There's no rush. People put pressure on to be this and that, but if the path you're on is one that makes you happy, then cool.

Because that's the most important thing. That you're having a good time. That you're happy with the life you lead.

Just never close yourself off to opportunities as they may arise. I went to Uni and got a degree, but it's not the degree that matters as much as the people I met and the opportunities that arose.
 
Originally posted by bunsen burner
Finish degree at all costs. Even if you think you'll never use it. Even defer or do the rest part time.
Click to expand...
Bollocks.

If your heart isnt in it, go and do what makes you happy - why slave away taking forever to get a piece of paper that in the end means sweet fa - with no disrespect to all the arts students out there, it isnt hardly the same as a legal or medical degree, where to do the job, you need the degree.

Leave, and go do whatever the **** you want to do - you'll feel so much betetr, and more importantly be happier without that ****ing millstone around your neck.
 
Originally posted by kuepper
Bollocks.

If your heart isnt in it, go and do what makes you happy - why slave away taking forever to get a piece of paper that in the end means sweet fa - with no disrespect to all the arts students out there, it isnt hardly the same as a legal or medical degree, where to do the job, you need the degree.

Leave, and go do whatever the **** you want to do - you'll feel so much betetr, and more importantly be happier without that ****ing millstone around your neck.
Click to expand...
4 years is a lot of investment already and a lot to waste. It's most likely it will be regretted if she quits.
 
What exactly are you studying. A BA.

If you want to tache there are other ways to achieve it.

If you have passed 1 year of UNI, your rank is a 92 at least ,so you can chose whatever you want to do.

Change course to whatver interests you, gain credits for Prior study, you will be amazed at the difference.

Then do a 2yr off campus Education degree by HECS,whilst you wokr.Then you can teach in an area that you actually like.

Good luck.
 

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A few people have already said it, but I think the best thing you can do is defer for a year and either work or travel. Over that time have a think about what you want to do.

Preferably you'll be able to come back and finish the degree, maybe in the same area or perhaps you'll consider some different majors, or perhaps even a different degree and you can get some credit from what you've done.

I think it's best if you try to finish the degree at some point, otherwise in a few years time you'll regret being so close and not doing so. Also, having a degree is usually better than not. However, there is not much point in trying at the moment if it is just not working for you.

And finally - 24yo is not old - no one ends up on the scrap heap at that age and there is absolutely no need to own a house then. Just take some time to think about what you want to do and don't rush too much - you have plenty of time left!
 
And most importantly your not on the scrap heap at 24... U've got a lot more of your life to go yet.... So Smile... Relax a little bit....

Also don't worry too much about ur academic record for teaching if you wnat to you should be able to get in...
 
Originally posted by bunsen burner
4 years is a lot of investment already and a lot to waste. It's most likely it will be regretted if she quits.
Click to expand...
Possibly.

The thing to remember is at that rate, another 4 years will go by - for what.

Speaking from experience, I walked away after 4 years, with 5 units to complete a commerce degree, as I ****ing hated it, and just thought "why the hell am I doing this to myself".

Looking back, yeah I should have completed it, but it hasn't hindered me one iota in my career to date - so horses for courses old son.

If you do what makes you happy every day - you're a winner, degree or no degree, fat paycheck or not.
 
Half way through a three year course in four years? I'd say give up. Sounds like you really don't want to be doing what you're doing, or you're just not cut out for it.
 
I just wanted to thank everybody for their advice, and for those who pmed me too. I think I've decided to continue for one more semester, see if I can finish a full load then, and if so, keep going, if not, take a break. My problem isn't because I don't like my course- I'm majoring in English and history for whoever asked, which are my passions really- or can't do it. I think my problem may be a mixture between major procrastination, and too many other commitments- I have 3 jobs, and a couple of other major voluntary commitments. And the fact that it's taking forever to finish doesn't help my procrastination any. I guess with an arts degree it's hard to see where it's taking you sometimes, whereas when you're working, you can see where you can improve and move up a little.

Anyway, thanks again for all of your advice.
 

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Originally posted by aggels
Okay guys, I need some advice here, so I'd be thankful if some of you could oblige. Who here didn't go to university, or dropped out before getting a degree? Of those, what sort of job do you have, are you happy in the job, how have you moved up through jobs, are you happy with the decision to not get a degree, and what can't you do without a degree?

I'm in my fourth year of a three year degree, and I've only finished about half of it. I haven't failed much (only in first year) but I keep dropping subjects etc halfway through. I dropped out after first year, and then came back a year later, redid first year, and then started dropping subjects halfway through each semester during second year (so I still have to pay HECS but didn't actually fail.) I wanted to be a teacher when I started uni up again, but that idea is slowly fading - I'd love to teach, but my academic record sucks. I love my course (BA), but it's just not working for me anymore. I'm not motivated to keep going for another year and a half, as I'll be nearly 24 when I've finished, and half the people I finished highschool with will have houses etc. I have no idea what I want to do with my life, but I don't want to end up on the scrapheap. I don't want to end up with just another dead end job. Is it really worth continuing to just get my degree, or would it be smarter to drop out, get a job, and work my way up like that. Basically what I'm asking is what are my options if I don't have a degree. (sorry to be a me me me topic.)

Thankyou!
Click to expand...

Aggels

I shouldn't admit it here but I'm a long-time primary teacher (currently a school principal). It would seem a pity to waste what you have done already, so I'd defer if possible - for as long as you can. If however, you are really stressed or unhappy FOLLOW YOUR HEART - as time goes by there are more and more options for getting into Uni or even becoming a teacher. As a teacher I have taken a year off on leave without pay (to backpack around the world). You always come back from stuff like that refreshed.

If you don't feel like going back to Uni after a break - so be it, probably was never meant to be. I have won a transfer from my current remote position to a city job in Freo, but have decided to take 2005 off (to buy a mobile home and travel Oz). Teaching has been good to me - I've had teacher exchanges overseas and all that but its only a career - NOT MY LIFE.

I've had a few jobs - shearing hand, shop hand, tractor driver etc and have found the change from study and teaching really valuable and rewarding.

Don't stress and don't continue with something if you are REALLY unhappy - if its just short-term blues though, consider everything very carefully.

Cheers

Hoss
 
If you're not happy bail. Can always finish it later if the alternative isn't up to scratch. As said, it may give you the impetus to finish.

Was seeing this silly cow in Adelaide recently and she tried to take the intellectual high ground with me because she has a degree and I do not. Yet she earns just over $40K (earning less than me) doing a job she openly admits she hates after 4 years at uni.. so who is the moron?
 
cant believe its taken you this long to realise you have wasted alot of your time at uni. either pull your finger out and finish the course or cut your loses and get a job and start repaying your hecs debt.
 

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advice: dropping out

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