the unlucky few..?

[frylok]

It seems as though you assume you can go no where in life without attending a university. What about people who aren't interested in making large sums of money? All my life I've grown up getting A's, and then when I started High School, things started to change. I still payed attention in class, absorbed the material, studied it, and understood it, but I didn't care. I could flourish under higher education, and probably do close to whatever I wanted if I tried. But I don't.

It seems like all people care about anymore is getting as high on the social ladder as they can with a spotless career path, an impressive education, a nice house, and all that good stuff. I don't want all that -- I would be just as happy working a meaningless job, so long as it was enough to supply me a decent living. Do I have an interest in some branches of education? Yes. Will I pursue them? Probably. Will I obtain a degree? Probably not.

People should stop worrying about something as trivial as a grade. I think a large portion of the lack of motivation from the general consensus in schools has a lot to do with lack of freedom of choice. Can you take philosophy? Sure. Will it help you get a degree? Nope, just be sure to learn advanced math that you will forget 5 years down the road. And don't forget to fulfill the science requirements, even if it has nothing to do with anything you will ever attempt in your life.

Sorry for the essay, just venting a bit. I'm sick of this stigma that comes with an apparent lack of "motivation" towards education. Perhaps it is a case of a lack of interest rather than the former.

Genius. pure, undiluted, genius.

[ValkyrieAg]

haha. You have me wrong. I am a pot smoking worthless bastard with no job. I use loans to fund my school and life.

The secret is if you get this little paper they call a degree, they will pay you double what they normally would if you didn't have one. I don't care much about learning, sure, I know enough to get by well, but thats all it is. Yeah, I have cheated on alot of stuff in my day. I am by no means a role model or poster child for higher education. My friend Bill, he is a good guy. He did 2 years in prison for B&E. He is really smart and in touch with things. He can understand complex problems and solve them well. However, he dropped out of high school, made some bad choices and found himself in prison. He gets paid 9/hr as a mechanic and gets by. But he had alot of potential that was lost by his 'lack of motivation' in his younger years.

This is coming from a hispanic person. I am 8th generation American. Alot of people can't say that. Everyone (cept a few) in my extended family has a college degree. They do very well for themselves. Education opens up doors, there is no denying that...my family is living proof. Now read the first lines of this post.....thats how I know.

[Leebstatus]

Sorry, that wasn't directed at you so much as society in general. Yes, I realize getting a degree opens up a lot of opportunities that would otherwise not exist. Career opportunities. For money. To me, what matters is potential. What people do with it is their own decision. But the fact that it is there is what matters. Aside from that, there are other ways to make a decent living without stepping foot in a college. 90% of America is barely scraping a middle wage living due to bad money management, and lack of proper investment. Learning what to do with your money could really change things. I know people who dropped out of high school and are practically millionaires. I know people who got a degree in the wrong field and are now out 4 year's worth of tuition working at a job with the state. And vice versa. I think if people would stop and think instead of going through the motions, everyone would be better off.

[ValkyrieAg]

Well, the reason that I believe so much in the power of the degree is actually simply money. I don't need so much of it that my ears bleed, but it makes life so much easier. When you have money, you can focus more on life and your goals and aspirations. I am a traveller and I REFUSE to work all day every day for the rest of my life. If i was given 25k/yr, I wouldn't do a damn thing unless I wanted to do it.

Have you ever been so broke that you couldn't eat? Its not fun, and thats not how I want my life to go. A degree simply helps you secure a job. Thats it. Advancement is up to the person. We are all in this rat race together. I just want to make sure I am a Fat Rat and not a skinny rat.

[PatrickHenry]

Education is freedom! Don't only consider the financial aspects of the degree. I am a history major at a major university and nearly have a 4.0. A history degree does not guarantee a load of money but it does bring a better understanding of the world. I read like it's no one's business and am proud that I can explain historical events and calculus algorithms to people.

I understand the points about money though. I work fulltime while going to school at night. It's tough to afford, but education is worth more to me than weed! I too feel bad for some of the kids on the board who are forsaking the education they could be getting in the name of a quick high.

[KottonMouthKid]

haha this forum has just turned into an education arguement

[MarzVooolta]

Its why alot of countries have serious beef with America, we have all the resources at our disposal but when its comes down to it the vast majority of americans fail to take the oppurtinites there given , and I dont see it getting any better, we have a serious education problem in the United States

Marijuana as with all drugs should be used to enhance your life and aid as a tool for improvement and self growth, not be your life. MOST people would rather sit on a coach and watch American Idol and receive immediate satisfaction instead of thinking and looking into what really matters. Which is why I have a conflicted viewpoint on the legality of marijuana.

[MarzVooolta]

And I hate to say it but as far as the original poster goes, you have a lot of work your going to have to do to yourself if you want to change. I dont know your history of anything but you seem unhappy with the lifestyle you have been living for so long . If your depression continues I dont think your going to be able to do it alone, I would suggest talking with a therapist/psychiatrist

Your not alone though, I realized I had alot of problems growing up and didnt maximize my potential in the least bit. I started medication/counseling and it made ALL the world of differance, you can do it , it just takes alot of hard work

[trem0lo]

Some people seem to think college is worthless. It's not! I would not trade my college experience for anything in the world. In addition to filling your brain with all kinds of great stuff related to what you love, it gives you a lot of perspective on life and teaches you the value of hard work.

College does a few things, and all of them will make you a happier person:

It maximizes your potential as a human being.

It gives you an edge in life, which usually means you make more money and can be higher on the "social ladder". I don't care what you say... making 70k a year is better than making 20k, in almost all cases.

You meet amazing people who have the same drive, determination, and interests as you. Sometimes you marry them. I did!

Can you accomplish any of these feats without college? SURE! But it might be harder, and I bet it takes longer. Where else can you do all of these things in one place and in a relatively short period of your life?

So no college-bashing unless you've tried it and hated it. At least then you speak from experience.

Oh, one more fun aspect of college:

PARTIES!!!

I partied less in my graduate degrees, but the party scene in my undergrad was incredible. College towns are veritable drug havens also, and there's little the police can do about underage drinking since it's so rampant. Just be smart about partying and you'll have a blast.

In conclusion, college is fun and beneficial, just like the government says. Finally one thing they aren't lying to us about!

[Canadianbudburner]

very good posts guys,
man o man....the story of my life. As a current college student i have the every nagging feeling what i am doing is all in a desperate attempt to get a slip of paper that i might frame and put up on my parents wall...then go get a job i could've (probably) gotten without wasting 4 years and lots of money. I've found that the value of college lies not in the degree or the money that is made after the fact...its the growth and learning that occurs outside of the classroom..im not going to school to "further my education" rather "live my life" I might be looking at this thing all wrong but i think that is what is trying to be said...everyone has their own reason for things that they do, such as the pursuit of happiness. To some this means money, to others this means friends and to a small minority...this means scoring good dro lol. What im trying to say to this original poster (and everyone else reading this) is do what makes you happiest tomorrow and today...dont worry about 5,10, 20 years from now...if you just worry about tomorrow, 20 years will go by and you'll be happy and not know the difference of weither or not you went to college (or learned anything there for that matter) just be happy with who you are and how your life is...thats what matters most...and if 70K a year does that for you...so be it...

Happy Smokin':jointsmile: