Post high school

[JRector]

From personal experience...take a year or two from school and then get back into it. I went to College right after High School and I didn't take it seriously at all. I was so worn out from school that I never went to my classes. Im 21 now and I'm back workng on my 4 year degree. The difference between then and now? I actually want to be here at school once I realized how shitty my past jobs were and that I didn't want to be stuck doing the same shit job for the rest of my life. I actually appreciate school now and am determined. It's all about what you feel like doing. Don't take college as a joke.

[5spoke]

^^ Good for you dude, Im glad it worked out for you. BUt I think that your situation is the exception not the rule.

Go to college straight from highschool. Its your best chance at successfully getting your degree. No major responsibilities yet and your brain is used to studying and taking classes.

[James]

I worked/ traveled for a year before starting University. After seeing so many people who don't want to be in post secondary education because they too scared to see a bit of the world before they make up their mind, I was really glad I did it.

Taking time off of school doesn't make you a loser, its taking time off and wasting it working at the 7/11 for 3 years that makes you a loser.

[patp]

Well, I'm in my last semester of high school now. I've had pretty decent grades and I could go to college right away. Not sure if I'm ready to however.

Just curious, what did you all do when you graduated? Did you have a job lined up for you? Did you go to college? Did you travel?

Because at this point, I don't have a god damn clue what I am doing.

mmm id stick it out and go now, I took a year off and it worked for me because I got lucky with a job and make 23 an hour running horse betting websites and now go to school at the same time, but I honestly feel really behind from alot of my friends I rather would have been where I am now a year ago I know it sucks and a year of being free from school would be nice but you'll be working anyways so its not what you might be imagining trust me.

[TwoJ's]

You are all saying that he needs to go to school no matter what. I think that this is not the greatest advice. I am a believer that college isn't for everyone. There are a ton of people in the world that have good careers and make good money that never went to college. These people pick a trade soon after high school and go in to it. Some of it may require technical school or an apprenticeship, but that is usually very short.

It just depends on the person. OP, if you see yourself in a career like union construction, electrician etc., then don't waste your time going to school. If you see yourself as more of a businessman, teacher, engineer etc., then go to school and do it now. I went to college right after school as a math major. I decided a year and a half in to it to switch to mechanical engineering, so it ended up taking me 5 years to finish my schooling. But I ended up with bachelors degrees in mechanical engineering and mathematics, so I think it was very much worth it.

[Exodus_2pt0]

Personally I never went to college. Studied my ass off and worked in the field while I earned my ASE Masters certification, while taking tech classes at the local CC for 2 years. (No degree).

I got lucky and now have my own shop with a friend. However, I plan on going back to school just because I have an urge to learn more. Plus a Degree would be nice on paper, not much more value really. (to me at least)

If you want to learn and broaden your horizons... Go to college. I wish I had gone straight out of high school just for the lack of responsibilities as someone already mentioned. Now I have a shop to run and no extra cash to even pay for classes, let alone find time to go.

I'd give a testicle to be able to go back and do it all over again. Well, maybe not a testicle. The road I chose is working out for me, but it has been far from easy.

[VANOS714]

go to school first, like other have said if you take a break now you wont want to go back to school. You can get a part time job also and be making money on the side.

[Chaz]

Can anyone weigh in on going to a CC for one or two years before university? My sister went to Iowa State right out of high school to major in engineering. She almost dropped out first year and had a tough time with the course load. And she is a bit smarted than I. At this time I really don't know what I want to do and I think time in CC would give me ideas on what I want to do. Although the Greek life has a lot of appeal to me.

[slammin.e28]

Although the Greek life has a lot of appeal to me.

Being totally bankrupt appeals to you? Hmm....then yeah, roll onto the 4 year straight out and pay for it with loans loans loans.

;)

I'm just gonna do the CC thing, maybe online, and get my general shit outta the way, then see what I feel after that. My priorities have changed since getting out of HS and thus my outlook on what I am capable of (didn't do awesome in HS, but not terrible).

[lambo]

I would suggest you take it easy the first semester so you don't overwhelm yourself to the college experience.

This. I decided to take Calc 2, Engineering Physics 1, Chem 1, Psych all in my first semester freshman year. I got through with a 3.53 but it was pretty hellish...

[skateimitation]

Like most others have stated go to school. I was only going to take a year off to figure out what I wanted to do, before I knew it four years had passed by. Now I'm stuck working a shitty full time job and juggling cc classes in the evenings.

My biggest regret is not going right out of highschool.

[Chaz]

Okay another question. The appeal of going to CC is to get the general stuff outta the way. Can I take those classes at a technical school or automotive school? Get your associates in auto or w/e then head to Uni?

[iamsam]

i'm 26, wife and a kid and I am still trying to finish my bachelor's in mechanical engineering. I have attended four universities and two community colleges. I failed out of freshman year (and my first university), worked for a year and took night classes, went back to school (third school), moved, worked for another year, got back into school (4th school)...

So my highschool classmate who graduated HS w/ me in '04 graduated w/ his masters in MechE last year, my snot-nosed little brother graduated w/ his BS in MechE last year, and my even littler brother will be graduating this May with me.

So.... Go to school, take it seriously, and it won't come back and bite you in the ass later.

Also, I have worked some crap jobs between schools, which only made me want to go to school more. When I was sanding cars at a body shop for $8/hr, I missed studying for exams, pulling all-nighters on projects, cranking through engineering problems in a study group...

[skateimitation]

It all depends on if the credits or whatever you earn for completing the courses will transfer or not. I dont think they do but I may be wrong on that.

Your local cc more than likely has an automotive program you can take. I know mine does.

[ohthejosh]

I went straight to automotive school then took a nice break....

...still on that break.

Going to look at going back to school now. The GF is going back to get her bachelors in Healthcare Admin. I may do something like that now....but something I'd enjoy.

Do take this mans advice...his life is full of blow, trunk full of dead hookers, shiit filled diapers (his own not a babies), constant paranoia of the govt coming after him and surprise butt sex with chickens.

just look at that sig its an interpretation of his life .