College or IM ? Need your opinion !

16 years ago

Hi Chris,
First of all, your English is excellent

Second of all, as you're probably aware you're going to get a lot of different opinions in this thread, so take my comments for what they are worth.

I definitely think you should go to college. College isn't just for "book learning" it is also a part of growing yourself socially and as a person. When I think of the changes I saw in myself from high school through college it's amazing...and it wasn't just a result of getting older.

It was a result of being exposed to new things and new ideas. Of being around people who were different than me. Yes, I learned an awful lot in my college courses, but I learned even more just by living life as a college student.

To be honest with you, I double majored and worked really hard and STILL had TONS of time left over to goof around and do what I wanted.

There is no reason why it has to be one or the other.

Don't go to college for your parents, go because it will be an experience that is irreplaceable. You can still do IM full time

Thanks

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Loren Woirhaye

16 years ago

Why not agree to go to college part-time and study
business and marketing. I know there are Warriors who
will argue that a college education is worthless but I
disagree.

Only in college setting will you have the opportunity to
read, study and talk about many topics which contribute
to a life of meaning. I am not saying that you will not
read the great philosophers on your own but it is unlikely
to happen if you do not take an introductory class.

You'll be exposed, perhaps for the only time in your life,
unless you become a physicist or writer, etc..., to people who
are galvanized and excited by ideas and the use of language.

I'll be the first to tell you however that many of the people
I know who entered college a little later got more of what
they wanted out of it. Perhaps if you go to college you
will discover something that compels you more than making
money on the net... making money is just a skill... not a life
calling. But HAVING money can allow you to pursue other
areas of interest. It would be tragic indeed if you had the makings
of a great healer or statesman yet never discovered this
because of a lack of education.

Thanks
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Trenz 16 years ago

Malibumentor and Jenn - thank you for your thoughts.

I don't say College is a bad thing, I just feel if I will go to college then I will have to focus on it with all my energy, other than that there is really no point to go in college just to "slip trough" it with C's and D's.

This means that if I will have to focus with everything that I have, this just means that I could destroy my IM business. I understand that education is worth everything, but then again, I think it's really worth it if I will use those skills what I have learned.

To me, IM is lifestyle. I just love everything about it, it's not only "business" to me, it's really what I love and what I plan doing for bread and butter.
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- johnsamuels 15 years ago
  
  Originally Posted by Trenz
  
  there is really no point to go in college just to "slip trough" it with C's and D's.
  
  yes there is.
  
  Thanks
  
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marktheonlinesurfer

15 years ago

Originally Posted by Loren Woirhaye

Why not agree to go to college part-time and study
business and marketing. I know there are Warriors who
will argue that a college education is worthless but I
disagree.

Only in college setting will you have the opportunity to
read, study and talk about many topics which contribute
to a life of meaning. I am not saying that you will not
read the great philosophers on your own but it is unlikely
to happen if you do not take an introductory class.

You'll be exposed, perhaps for the only time in your life,
unless you become a physicist or writer, etc..., to people who
are galvanized and excited by ideas and the use of language.

I'll be the first to tell you however that many of the people
I know who entered college a little later got more of what
they wanted out of it. Perhaps if you go to college you
will discover something that compels you more than making
money on the net... making money is just a skill... not a life
calling. But HAVING money can allow you to pursue other
areas of interest. It would be tragic indeed if you had the makings
of a great healer or statesman yet never discovered this
because of a lack of education.

Well pu Loren- I couldn't agree with you more. Also never underestimate the value of the social skills you were learn from college. In order to succeed in IM you have to understand people and their needs. There is no better way of doing that then regularly interacting with people in college and also discovering their needs and what motivates them.

Thanks

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Shannon Tani

16 years ago

I'm gonna have to agree with Jenn.

College is about more than learning and preparing yourself for a job down the road. It's about the experience of challenging yourself and your ideas. About growing. About learning things that aren't related to your future, but which still make you a more well-rounded person.

You'll have plenty of time to work on IM in college.

Love,
Shannon

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Ricter 16 years ago

If you could make $1,000,000 a month selling drugs or kiddie pr0n without ever getting caught, would college then be definitely out of the question?

I hope you get my point. Listen to the college supporters above me, particularly malibumentor, who so nicely hinted at the subtle but priceless advantages to higher education. Once the mind becomes encumbered with baggage, as it invariably will, there will be no room in it for the uncynical idealism that is the essential nature of the world's finest minds. Whether you will ever take that to such heights is unknown, but if you fail you can always fall back on merely making money.

I went to college as an older student (military first), so I did get a bit more out of it than an 18yo might, since I had a lot of partying "out of my system". But I recommend you not wait too long to go. You can always IM, but the older you get the less likely it is you'll ever go to college. Not to mention being in the same youthful age group as the majority, which is great fun!
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- Andy Money 16 years ago
  
  Both dude!
  
  Thanks
  
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  axax00 16 years ago
  
  hi chris
  speaking from experience, im a college dropout i had to drop out cause i didnt have the money and was wroking two jobs and was barely making it, although i am now doing IM i always wonder about the things i missed in college all the people i could have met, all the things i could have learned, all the opportunities that could have come my way.
  
  but the truth is i never wanted to do a 9 to 5 job either, or work for people. to me working 9-5 is like slavery cooped up in an office almost all day five days a week.
  
  you can still take 2 to 3 classes do you IM at the same time and major in something that is close to IT, software, or anything with computers since that is your passion. youll never know you might learn some skills to use in your future websites, businesses, whatever it is that your doing.
  
  college cannot be a negative experience, you can always have your own business.
  
  you should always tell your parents what you want, they may not agree but this is your life.
  
  good luck
  
  Thanks
  
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- Alexa Smith Banned 16 years ago
  
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  Kerry Finch 16 years ago
  
  As the mother of two young adults in college, here's my two cents.
  
  The mother in me says, go to college, expand your horizons, make contacts, make friends with people face to face, learn about business, marketing, politics, history, the world, life, the universe and everything. You will probably regret it if you don't. There are ways of making your way in the world, both socially and financially, that require you to step away from your computer and press some flesh.
  
  However, I have seen kids (and that is what you still are in my eyes) who only went to college/university because it was expected of them, and that their parents believed that they could not get a 'good' job without a degree or diploma. They begin their courses, flounder, fail and drop out, disillusioned.
  
  Here in Australia plumbers earn more money than most scientists. As long as they are content with their lot and do their jobs well, who has the better job/life?
  
  I think it is too much to expect most 18 year olds to make decisions about the rest of their lives, without the input of adults they trust. Do you trust your parents? I'm hoping your answer is 'yes'. I agree with most here that you should go to college, and absorb as much as you can there. You can continue with IM all the way - you might even learn something valuable to enhance your IM career - you could even teach your peers a little about IM - start networking....
  
  When your parents can see how responsible you are with your studies they will begin to (if they aren't already) support your IM endeavours. When my now 22 year old son (see avatar) started natural bodybuilding, I was aghast (drugs, growth hormones.......). But seeing how he trains and diets and has developed a very disciplined lifestyle (and now with a university science degree in Food and Nutrition) I'm the one in the front of the auditorium yelling "thats my boy!".
  
  Good luck
  Kerry
  
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AgileHosting

16 years ago

Oh my goodness, college, hands-down.

Having actually been to college

I promise you you will have more than enough time to continue with IM while you are in college. There are people who actually work full-time, participate in sports and multiple activities, etc. while going through college -- and they get excellent grades.

Grades are not necessarily that related to how much focus you have or how much you are studying. If you don't study effectively, or if you take a course which is simply over your head, it doesn't matter how hard you work at it -- your grades will be poor. By the same token, if you are very smart, effective at studying, efficient with your time and have your priorities right, good grades will likely come to you fairly easily.

Keep in mind that what you want to do at age 18 is NOT what you will want to do 20 or 40 or 60 years down the road. It is very rare that a person remains so static and unchanged that their interests do not change throughout their life. College will give you the skill to be able to quickly change gears and learn a new trade/skill/field with as little effort as possible. College isn't so much about what you actually learn ... college teaches a person how to study and learn.

Finally, we are young only once. I know you have probably heard this a gazillion times, but it is true. In 10 or 20 or 30 years, when you have a wife and children and a business that all require your undivided attention 24/7/365, you won't be able to go to college even if you desperately want to. Right now, you have the most flexibility, the fewest obligations and responsibilities to other things, because of your age. This is THE single best time to go to college, just in terms of convenience and opportunity.

Going to school will not hurt you. It will only help you. IM is not going anywhere and you will have more than enough time to do IM simultaneously with going to college. You will also learn how to be more efficient with your time, will discover new aspects of yourself, will develop your creativity, will learn to look at things in ways you can't even conceive of right now ... it will make you a better internet marketer.

Take this opportunity and run!! Go to college. Lucky duck.

Bailey

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ShayB 16 years ago

Go to college! Have fun! Keep working your IM business while there.
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ShayB 16 years ago

Originally Posted by AgileHosting

Take this opportunity and run!! Go to college. Lucky duck.

Bailey

Seriously!

I was such a broke college student... LOL
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- JohnMcCabe 16 years ago
  
  Trenz, I may have kind of a unique take on this. I went to college the first time straight out of high school. I joined a fraternity (the party frat, of course - wanted to meet those sorority girls). I also worked full time because I wanted to make the money. I worked at a restaurant because I wanted to learn the business, then open my own place after college. Classes weren't all that important to me.
  
  I developed a bad habit of showing up for midterms and finals. I had a talent for cramming enough to pass exams, then forget it all by the time I left the exam room. That worked fine for the first year. The second year, when the classes built on the first ones, I was in over my head. Two terms in, the university "asked" me to take a year off and think about whether college was for me.
  
  I took eight.
  
  I never did open that restaurant, either. I got caught up in some politics and got fired before I knew enough to run the business on my own.
  
  I spent the next eight years selling insurance, selling real estate (in a down market that looks a lot like this one), time as a bill collector, selling stereos, then the first PC's. I did a lot of things. Finally I decided I wanted to do something that depended on more than hustle.
  
  My first transcript was so bad, I tried to have it sealed. No go. I earned those lousy grades, so I had to keep them. My saving grace was that if I repeated the classes, only the most recent grade would count.
  
  This time, I did it right. I went to class, mixed with a lot of different people. For example, the father of one of my lab partners ran the central bank in Iran before the Shah fell. Another was a former government official in Viet Nam. I mingled with foreign students from around the globe.
  
  And I learned how to learn, and how to think. As the ads say, "Priceless!"
  
  So take this advice for what it's worth, Trenz. Go to college, with your IM business as your part-time job, the one that keeps you supplied with pizza and adult beverages. Do well in your classes, but not at the expense of your education.
  
  I guess I'd better explain that...
  
  I knew several straight-A students who never did anything but study. They never met anybody, never learned to deal with people unlike themselves, never had any fun.
  
  My bet is that if you 'do college right' you'll come out a more well-rounded, effective human being as well as a better marketer.
  
  Whatever you decide, I wish you well...
  
  Thanks
  
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yinkamuyi

16 years ago

Guy, i think what you are experience now is the love you have for IM ,but let me remind you that if you go to college now it can never be the dead of your IM because you are not a newbie on internet marketting, what i think you can do is to focus on study what will also benefit you in IM in college like Marketting,business administration,computer programm etc.Try and creat a valuable time for your study and I belief if you can put your mind to it,you will scale through forget about your previous grades you can do the two simultaneously and still get good result on both.best of luck guy.

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JohnMcCabe 16 years ago

I'm going to add to my previous answer...

At this point, you don't know what you don't know. You may hate college, or you may love it. The only way to know for sure is to live with it for a while.

Would you enter a market without at least doing a little research?

Before you make up your mind, visit a few colleges and get a feel for campus life. Sit in on a few classes in a variety of fields, not just business or tech. Wander the campus, and the areas near campus - the bars, food joints and other hangouts.

If you decide to go, and later find out you hate it, dude, the last time I checked there weren't any bars or guards or dogs keeping you there.

It's totally cool to decide college life is not for you. If you make that decision now, you're making it based on incomplete information. If you check it out, and find out you don't want it, you'll know why.

You've already shown wisdom beyond your years by asking for advice and feedback from such a diverse group. Digest it all, and make your decision.

As I said before, I wish you well...
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- gcjmarkets 15 years ago
  
  Hi, I understand what your saying about your parents having your life planned out for you; mine were the same way. I was supposed to get my B.A. then go on to law school so I could take over the family business.
  
  I was too scared to go against my parents wishes because if I did and then failed It would prove they knew better than I did. It wasn't until my junior year in college that I realized I just didn't want to take responsibility for my life and actions.
  
  Once I decided they didn't know any more than I did about what would bring me satisfaction and I couldn't be truly happy until I started living my own life; I found some inner piece.
  
  The point is I didn't really want to go to college but the experiences I had helped shape me into the man I am today. Higher education isn't just about getting a degree and working a 9 to 5 it's about coming into your own as an adult.
  
  College is not hard if you have the disclipine and the intelligence to make money as an Internet Marketer college will be a breeze for you. You will easily be able to take your business to the next level; just outsource and delegate what you can. Get invloved with the business school and you will meet other young entreprenuers who you can work with and possibly take your business to a level you never thought was possible
  
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- Reeveso 15 years ago
  
  As a person who recently graduated college while I was growing my business...I'd like to share some perspective on this for you.
  
  Here's the short answer - DON'T WASTE YOUR MONEY.
  
  Point #1 - Your parents are your parents. They aren't you. They don't know exactly how you feel and they shouldn't be dictating your life. If they don't understand that...that's THEIR problem, not yours. Please don't do something JUST because your parents want you to. My parents kind of "subtly" encouraged me to stop with my online business because it wasn't going anywhere for awhile. However, now that I've succeeded and am at the place I want to be - no more griping from them and they're proud of me.
  
  Point #2 - Although college is a great learning experience...you're still talking about tens of thousands of dollars. Depending on what you would do in college (commute vs. dorm)...I personally don't think it's worth it. If you end up going to college, maybe you could go to a community college where it's much cheaper.
  
  Point #2.5 - Take it from me, if you have an Internet business and are in college - you're going to be focused on your business and not as much about doing "college" things. Although you'll still do what college kids do, you won't FULLY enjoy the real college experience.
  
  Point #3 - Just realize that if you spend the money on college, you already know you're not going to do anything with it. So guess what's going to happen? You're going to think it's worthless and end up skipping classes (because what's the point if you're not going to do anything with it?) and probably failing out anyway. College takes up a lot of time and you're going to have a hard time running a good Internet business and getting good grades in college at the same time.
  
  I hope I helped and maybe you'll take those opinions into consideration. I'd think long and hard before making up your decision - but whatever you do, good luck!
  
  Thanks
  
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- Ruth Hendrickson 15 years ago
  
  If you go to college and major in what you love -- business and marketing -- you'll learn things that can take your internet business to the next level. Going to college is an invaluable experience and you'll miss out on a ton if you refuse to go.
  
  There's no reason why you can't go to college and still do your internet business. The next four years will fly by, and you could have a degree by then. You could tell your parents you'll agree to go to college but that they have to let you make your own choices about a career. Then after graduating, you can continue with internet marketing full-time, and you'll be wiser for it.
  
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  Lance K 15 years ago
  
  Go to college so you can end up with an educated wife. Nothing beats a good contingency plan!
  
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- stacyfox 15 years ago
  
  If you're not eager to go to college at the moment, DON'T GO. Don't assume that to get a college education, you have to start at 18. Take a gap year and work on your business. Then you can reassess after that. People on this thread have said that you can do IM while in school - you can - but that doesn't sound like what you WANT to do. The colleges will still be there when you're ready (if ever) for it. If it's not a good fit, you'll be miserable.
  
  Stacy Fox
  
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- damienb 15 years ago
  
  Hi Chris,
  
  I didn't take the time to read all 3 pages of posts, but from what
  I've seen it seems to me that a lot of people are giving you
  advice based only on their own wants, aspirations and
  values...which is normal, but I think is not going to be of any
  help to you.
  
  Here's the reason why: ultimately, we all have different personal
  stories and experiences. What may seem good for someone is not
  necessarily the right path for you.
  We can't know what choice you "should" make, there's too many
  elements to the equation that we're unaware of, things like your
  true and deep desires in life, your friends and family, without
  mentioning all the inner game stuff that is essential for this kind
  of decision.
  
  "Conventional wisdom" tells you should go to college, get a job and
  maybe run your business on the side...but conventional wisdom is
  based on "normal people". And if you don't want to live like
  everyone else, then this type of advice is totally irrelevant to
  your situations.
  
  There's plenty of evidence showing that you CAN go without a
  college education and still succeed way beyond what most people
  will ever achieve in their lives. But, again, it depends on who
  YOU are, what you want, and what you're ready to do to achieve your
  goals...cause a business demands much more than a regular job, you
  have to grow yourself, accept failures and learn from them... I'm
  sure you already know that as you seem to have already created
  something strong.
  
  Before leaving, I'd like to share my personal story with
  you, as it's way more powerful than any piece of advice I could
  give. I realise it's not exactly the same situation but I think
  it's close enough...I hope it'll inspire you and you'll relate to
  what happened to me...
  
  I began this journey 2+ years ago. At the time, I had just left
  prep school (don't know if you have that in US, but it's a 2 year
  preperation for engineer schools exams) and thought I wanted to
  become an oceanograph with a 5-year Master in Physics.
  
  What I didn't realized at the time was that I had bigger dreams
  inside of me...things like financial and time freedom, which I
  never could achieve with that type of job.
  
  Anyway, it all started because of one silly idea: I needed
  money to buy a new funboard but wasn't ready to slave away at a job
  like so many other people do. The lazy guy inside me began to
  search for "making easy money" on google...I quickly found and
  tried many different scams (like the "$5 chain letter), understood
  it was leading me nowhere...and searched more...until I found MLM
  and info products that promised it all.
  
  I bought into the dream (like I'm sure most of you have
  done). That was it! I had found my calling in life...It was as if
  this industry had been created JUST for me
  
  [While I'm at it, I'd like to personnaly THANK all the scammers
  and "sell-the-dream" type people who have led me to where I'm
  at now. Without you, I would never have had the courage and energy
  necessary to go this far....]
  
  The only problem was that I was attending College (physics) at the
  same time and it was taking time away from this dream...I don't
  know about you, but when I'm on the middle of the fence, between 2
  things, never knowing exactly what I want, I can't get myself to
  involve myself 100%
  Plus, my parents began to worry about me...I wasn't living
  with them (moved in the south offrance) at the time, but they knew
  I wasn't going to college everyday like I should.
  
  Another thing that held me back was THEIR personal beliefs
  (here we go again with conventional wisdom) about what is truly
  possible to achieve. Mind you, they never ran a business in their
  lives, but they still managed to get an opinion about it (based on
  a false experience!) and it really affected me...
  When I talked about what I wanted in life, and what I learned in
  life, they looked at me like I was some sort of
  alien...especially my Dad who is very negative about life...
  
  I worried for MONTHS at end, I was scared to death, not knowing
  what to do or How I was going to ever live my Dream...
  
  The thing I didn't realize at the time is that I was giving
  power and meaning to my parent's beliefs, even though they knew
  nothing about what I was doing and worked as employees their
  whole lives (not that there's anything wrong with that)...
  
  It's not until I began to question their beliefs and started
  thinking on my own, based on what I truly wanted out of life, that
  things got a lot easier...I found wonderful inspiration from
  this forum and people like Vegas Vince, Lee Mc Intyre and Jonathan
  Budd.
  
  It's at this point in time that I DECIDED to not give a damn
  anymore about what people think, believe and all that shit...I
  quitted College, and began working like a Mad Man on my Dream. (I
  have to tell you, it's an unbelievably FREEING Experience if that's
  what you're meant to do)
  
  In no time, I created info-products for the french market and
  started earning a full-time living online. I did it in a matter of
  weeks (**** conventional wisdom!) and my parents began to see all
  that stuff under a different light.
  
  Anyway, since then, I have never looked back, never will. We are
  incredibly LUCKY to live in this day and age with so many
  opportunities at hand and the power to shape and live our lives the
  way we truly want.
  
  Today was my 22th Birthday, and as I took some time to reflect on
  my life and my goals, I felt so grateful that I began to
  cry...All this hard work has paid off many times over, and
  I'm on my way to accomplish things I never imagined possible
  before. 2009 is going to be phenomenal for all of us ready to work
  hard (and smart!) on our businesses.
  
  So there you have it, my friend...I hope my story will help you
  take your decision. Don't ever forget that you're the ONLY ONE who
  can choose what it is you want to do with your life. We don't
  know what we are talking about anyway, so learn to call the shots
  with your own mind and not what everyone else is telling you is
  right or wrong.
  
  One last thing I would like to do for you is share here a post
  by Vegas Vince that helped me a LOT, and gave me the courage to
  go out and take the final Decision (I read it on a regular basis
  whenever I feel a little down and I hope it will give you the same
  power)...
  
  hope it's ok with you Vince
  
  «*A true entrepreneur doesn't jerk off 6 years of their life
  busting their ass learning about something that isn't their true
  muse or love.
  And in the end, if you manage to last that long - all you end up
  with is a job!
  A job is a job is a job, no matter what it pays...cuz a job is
  predicated on someone ABOVE YOU dictating your life.
  
  I figured out long ago that life is not only short...but it's MY
  LIFE!
  Your life is yours.
  And if your back is against the wall...with no other way to eat or
  pay your bills other than your IM passion...you'll do just fine.*»
  
  «*Go do what you need to do. Success never come to people who play
  the middle of the fence. Pick a side or end up like the Jones
  family...they never accomplish shit...they just talk about the good
  ol' days & «*what could have been*». The Jones family are losers.
  Period.
  They don't live...they react.
  
  There is NO tomorrow!!! Life is short! Way too short to do shit we
  hate.
  That is not living...it's a waste of life.
  Success takes balls. And sometimes that means you got leave it all
  behind in order to find your true passion...and the people who want
  to waffle down the middle...and give wishy washy advice are usually
  people who know what I say is true. And now they want t opass their
  own bad advice on to you because they didn't have the «*courage*»
  to burn their own ships...cuz it wasn't «*safe*» and
  «*comfortable*» & cuz daddy might not have liked it.
  Sad. Sheep.
  
  I'd rather freeze my ass to death climbing a mountain than teaching
  a class on rock climbing...in some stuffy classroom.
  
  I'd rather take a shot asking the hottest chick in the world out to
  dinner & getting my face slapped...than asking out some homely
  chick who looks like Adrian from the first Rockie Movie.
  
  We live in a world of people so damn scared of everything they need
  validation from every source but themselves.
  
  Quit school. Go sell. Ad slaughter the sheep. They don't want to
  live anyways.*»
  
  Vegas Vince
  
  I think it seem obvious what I'm advising you to do...but you'd be
  wrong!
  I wanted to share all this because it had a huge impact on me
  personally, but perhaps it's not appropriate for you. I don't know,
  nobody can, except YOU.
  
  So, my friend, please take the time to really think about who you
  are, what you want to accomplish in Life, and don't listen to
  anyone who tells you what is right or wrong in a black and white
  fashion (even this one comment )
  Only You know, and only You can do something about it.
  
  Take care, and live your life to the fullest!
  
  Damien
  
  P.S: there's a way around any "apparent" difficulty or negative in
  life. For example, many people here talked about the Socializing in
  College...what is preventing you from going out with your friends
  and meeting new people, or spending time on the campus and at
  parties, even if you run a full-time business? Just a thought...
  
  Thanks
  
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- jmidas 15 years ago
  
  There is so much more "value" to going to college than just the academic part - which you may never need if you already have an income and wont need a job. That period between 18 and 22 years old is all about growing up and gaining life experience. There is no reason you can't go to school, learn a few things, enjoy the last of your youth, and still take your business to the level you want. If you are making as much as you are now in high school, you will find that you have more time in college to do those activities, and still get the college experience. (and make your parents happy)
  
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- telesale1606 15 years ago
  
  Go to college part time do not quit your daytime job and do IM on the side
  
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- goindeep 15 years ago
  
  Do what you feel is the right thing. I come from an ex-strict romanian family. i say ex because once we immigrated to australia many years ago slowly over the years they learned to chill out.
  
  Do what you want. your parents do not own you. they are your parents and can only guide you. i have a very open mind and believe we all have our own journeys. In the end it s up to you of course. If i was you id take a nice loooong holiday and show your parents you are not a child, travel the world, make money, have fun.
  
  i did so at the age of 15 and since then my parents have had no power of me at all.
  
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Christie Love 16 years ago

I chose to do both. I went to school to get my MBA and I am also building an IM business. So, i'd say to do both. My ability to achieve my MBA was not small task and gave me a huge sense of self confidence within myself of my achievements.

For me, I found my MBA to be extremely helpful in my IM business in regards to increasing my writing capabilities and my ability to conduct extensive and quick research on certain areas of interest in IM.

So, I'd say that if you can... do both. You don't need both. But, it definitely doesn't hurt.
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jan roos 16 years ago

It's funny how every one that says definately go to college are doing internet marketing right now after they went to college.

A lot of well educated people these days are searching to escape the rat race by starting their own IM businesses.If you are an entrepreneur and if your goal in life is to do internet marketing and be financially independent and free then I say do IM fulltime and pursue that dream.

If your goal is to be a medical doctor or a lawyer or something like that then go to school and become that. There's no wrong or right answer here. Do what you want to do, thats whats important.
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OnlineMasterMind 16 years ago

Personally...

I'd say to go to College but for one reason and one reason only...

FUN.

I went to FSU and it was an AMAZING four years...

Now...

It "could" also help if you want to be a high level employee.

But...

In terms of actually helping you become a successful business owner:

It will probably do more harm than good.

So again, I think the decision is purely a lifestyle decision (if you know you want to be an Entrepreneur) and it should be one that you make for yourself.... and no one else.

P.S. I will say this though; if I was making even close to the kind of money I make now... or for that matter, even knew it was possible at the time...

I'm not so sure how long I would have lasted!
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- Ricter 16 years ago
  
  Joe Vitale, who has made millions selling stuff, feels the need to use "Dr." in front of his name. Why do you suppose that is?
  
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Todd Lamb 16 years ago

Bro, you gotta go...but as may have already been stated...negotiation may be an option for you.

You may wish to concede to your parents demands if they were allow you to have a year off. Sometimes it is nice to decompress for a year before heading back at it.

I think you will find once there that you can develop a fairly flexible schedule in order to accommodate your IM business as well.

Take Care
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brilliantjv 16 years ago

At the end of the day I can honestly say that there is no substitution
for education. Whether you do it at the age of 18, 25, or 40...

you will never regret it.
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marcanthony

16 years ago

Skip college... read more... reach your goal of $30,000 a month.

Life is short. Sure, advising you to go to college sounds like the right thing to say.

But it's all bullshit! And so is that piece of paper you get when you graduate from college. You are an adult now.

College is cool, if you want to do it. But if you don't, how well do you really think that you will perform.

Having a strong business sense is all you need.

When I was in high school I scored a 1320 on my SAT's. But it doesn't mean a damn thing now.

Make your money dude.

Peace

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Kenneth L

15 years ago

Originally Posted by marcanthony

Skip college... read more... reach your goal of $30,000 a month.

Life is short. Sure, advising you to go to college sounds like the right thing to say.

But it's all bullshit! And so is that piece of paper you get when you graduate from college. You are an adult now.

College is cool, if you want to do it. But if you don't, how well do you really think that you will perform.

Having a strong business sense is all you need.

When I was in high school I scored a 1320 on my SAT's. But it doesn't mean a damn thing now.

Make your money dude.

Peace

Very true Marc, very true.

I see some people saying go to College.

But if he's gonna do I.M anyway the what's the point?

Just get out there and make more money and enjoy your life!

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TheMagicShow 16 years ago

Go to college and outsource your IM stuff till you graduate, college is a once in a lifetime thing and all should experience it!
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jbolte1976 16 years ago

Chris,

From my perspective you should look at college as a way to take your IM career to the next level. Take advantage of some marketing classes, computer programming, some business classes, etc. This'll give you more money making ability in the down the road.

I'd say if you're already earning that kind of money while still going to high school, no matter what you'll be able to get to "that next level" of making money (college or not).

As far as your parents go, be respectful. Try to meet a middle ground. In the end it is your decision.

Now is the time for you to at least try college life. At the very least, commit to one year and re-evaluate after that, you never know, you might absolutely love it. I know I miss my college days.
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- Trenz 16 years ago
  
  Thank you very much everyone !
  
  Wow, now you got my head spinnin' !
  
  To those people who think that I sit home 8hours/day at PC are wrong. I actually outsource a big part of my business, and I am very social/outgoing person. Since I outsource some part of my business this just means I could maybe do college and IM at the same time.
  
  Well, I'll just probably take the middle path that some of you suggested - I'll graduate High school, and will probably take a 1 year pause. If I can profit 50% more what I am making now - I'll skip college.
  
  Colleges - If I'll enter college, then I'll probably go in Latvia, or somewhere in Scandinavia. But it's still time to think. Anyway, thank you very much everyone !
  
  I read all of the opinions and my head is just now going to explode - too much of everything.
  
  Best regards,
  
  Chris.
  
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Daniel E Taylor

16 years ago

Don't do anything because some people on a forum
tell you to.

I didn't go to college. It just wasn't for me.

Do what your heart tells you to. You are not living your
life for your parents or anyone else.

Hugh Hef put it best, "Life is too short to be living someone
elses dreams".

Anyone who tells someone else what they need to do,
especially the people above me who are telling you
"Go to college" like they know you.

I'd steer clear of listening to those people. They are
usually the WORST people to take advice like this
from. They are usually biased.

Me. I'm not going to tell you to go, or not to go.

It's all about your heart and desires. Whatever you
decide should be right for you.

You will be just as successful if you go to college or
don't as long as you continue to self educate.

The laws of the universe still work for people who
didn't go to college, so you can manifest yoru dreams
just like anyone.

Anyone telling you to go to college is just telling you
from their own thinking and beliefs.

And if they were "so intelligent" they would know this
and understand that telling someone what they
need to do with THEIR life is bullshit.

Daniel

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richard-pc

16 years ago

I say go to college, and ramp up your IM too.

College is about much more than just study, it is the whole social scene, and the doors which it opens, and the friendships formed.

IM can be a lonely existence, and you don't want to miss out on the fun times at college (especially the girls!)....

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Daniel E Taylor

16 years ago

You need college to be on the "social scene", "make friends", and
"connections".

Give me a freaking break.

This thread keeps getting worse and worse.

Kid please take my advice and do what YOU
want.

You don't need college for any of the stuff named in
this thread so far.

Daniel

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thatgirlJ

16 years ago

Originally Posted by Daniel E Taylor

You need college to be on the "social scene", "make friends", and
"connections".

Give me a freaking break.

This thread keeps getting worse and worse.

Kid please take my advice and do what YOU
want.

You don't need college for any of the stuff named in
this thread so far.

Daniel

He asked everyone for their opinion...which we're giving. You seem incredibly bitter and there is no reason to attack others' opinions. :rolleyes:

No one is beating it into him or telling him he'll be stupid if he doesn't. That's because it's not true, he'll be as brilliant and entrepreneurial as he is right now...but we CAN share the kind of impact college did or did not have on our lives.

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Daniel E Taylor

16 years ago

Originally Posted by Jenn Dize

He asked everyone for their opinion...which we're giving. You seem incredibly bitter and there is no reason to attack others' opinions. :rolleyes:

No one is beating it into him or telling him he'll be stupid if he doesn't. That's because it's not true, he'll be as brilliant and entrepreneurial as he is right now...but we CAN share the kind of impact college did or did not have on our lives.

Yea I'm Incredibly Bitter. You can tell by how hard I'm hitting
my keys right?

Give me a break.

I'm giving him MY opinion nothing else. I don't see where I attacked
anyone. But thats right you can read my ferocious hatred emotions
through my computer screen.

Daniel

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AgileHosting 16 years ago

Daniel, it's funny how you've felt the need to post 3x to say the same thing, whereas everyone else has pretty much only posted once.

I think everyone knows your position and gets your point. You've had your turn and you expressed yourself well. Now it's other peoples' turn.

Bailey
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- Marian Berghes 16 years ago
  
  MAN, go to college... i don't like learning and from what i see your not that much "in love with the book" either, but its a great experience in your life...
  You practically grow up in college, you meet chicks, have all night parties....
  
  You say you don't like 9-5 program, but if you are so obsessed about your business isn't that almost the same thing? the only difference is that you stay at home. Everyone loves to stay at home, but if you work all day, it's kinda the same thing in my opinion.
  
  I love college and all my friends here and it is a BEAUTIFUL life, and i manage to keep my business and go out with friends and all...
  
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melanied 16 years ago

I would definitely recommend going to college. It's an irreplaceable experience. The friends you make in college won't be like the friends you make at any other place or time in your life. I'm not saying they'll be better or closer, definitively, but there's a bonding process that goes on when you are in an experience together - you're both away from home, probably for the first time, both on the same type of crazy college schedule, talking about professors and exams and papers and study groups. I guess what I'm saying is that you're both a part of a rarefied world that only a select group of people, the people at that particular school at that particular time, can understand. And it bonds you.

Also, i wouldn't worry too much about losing your IM business. I went to a top-tier University and graduated Magna Cum Laude, and had to work 3 part time jobs simultaneously the entire time (hadn't gotten into IM yet, dammit ) and I still had PPPLLLEEENNNTTTYYY of time for socializing, dating, and doing lots of other stuff I wanted to do.
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JohnMcCabe

16 years ago

Originally Posted by Daniel E Taylor

You need college to be on the "social scene", "make friends", and
"connections".

Give me a freaking break.

This thread keeps getting worse and worse.

Kid please take my advice and do what YOU
want.

You don't need college for any of the stuff named in
this thread so far.

Daniel

Originally Posted by Daniel E Taylor

Yea I'm Incredibly Bitter. You can tell by how hard I'm hitting
my keys right?

Give me a break.

I'm giving him MY opinion nothing else. I don't see where I attacked
anyone. But thats right you can read my ferocious hatred emotions
through my computer screen.

Daniel

Daniel, one of the weaknesses of text-only is the lack of nuance and inflection.

But phrases like "Give me a freaking break", and "This thread keeps getting worse and worse" sure read angry.

And even without the inflection, your second post above manages to drip sarcasm.

On the one hand, you have a point. No one needs college, or even high school, to get rich. You can find examples to prove it.

For many, the experience and connections make some things easier.

Besides, you might be one of the exceptions that prove the rule...

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Kerry Finch

16 years ago

Originally Posted by Daniel E Taylor

You need college to be on the "social scene", "make friends", and
"connections".

Give me a freaking break.

This thread keeps getting worse and worse.

Kid please take my advice and do what YOU
want.

You don't need college for any of the stuff named in
this thread so far.

Daniel

Daniel,
I agree about not needing college to obtain any of these things - if you are living a full life outside of your IM world. Trouble is, and many here will possibly agree, that once hooked, IM can become an all-consuming career.

Many of us had/have established social networks prior to coming into this business (many, not all) so a little bit of maintenance is all thats required to keep the balance. But IF an 18 year old is going to forego the setting up of these relationships because he spends his time in front of a computer all day, then he MAY very well miss out the opportunities to develop them and dare I say it - hell yeah - lose the ability to develop them in the future.

I acknowledge the IFs and MAYs in this post, but I'm a mother, and that gives me the right to see all the possible dangers in the world. :rolleyes:

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matthewd

16 years ago

It is a tough decision to make.

I am in college right now and focusing heavily on IM as well. You CAN do both... last year I did IM while going to 15 hours of classes and studying 30+ hours/week outside of school. I got good grades and my business skyrocketed at the same time.

Since then I have changed my major to marketing but I am still going to get my degree and actually plan to get my Master's too. Anytime I talk to people about my business, one of the first things they ask is why I am going to school... my only reason is that I want a fall-back plan. I don't plan on ever having to get a "real" job, but I would like to know that I can find a decent paying one if my business for some reason goes under.

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BeachCruzer

16 years ago

Once you turn 18, you're an adult. Personally, I would go to school not because of the learning experience but for the self-discipline it offers. You will never be the age you're at now and it's better to take advantage of the opportunities than to regret them later. Even better, you may find others who are your age who you may be able to share experience. There is not a right or wrong answer anf you probably already know it; It comes from your heart. Best of luck!

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Bayo

16 years ago

College without a doubt.

IM will always be there AND you can also continue to "earn as you learn!"

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Rob D

16 years ago

Well let me throw in my 2c. I learnt alot of things at University, but not many of them in a classroom. It depends alot on what you do I suppose, but my double honors arts degree has not been a great door-opener for me. There again, my parents never took the time to arrange the contacts that could make me successful after I graduated. I think you should be grateful for what they are doing - they are trying to give you the best life possible.

However...

They don't get the final decision. You do. You say you are earning nice money already with IM, and that you love what you do. What's more you are doing all this part time and know what going full time would mean bottom line to you.

Here's what i would do in your situation. Negotiate a gap year with them. Look at the career they have planned for you and work out the income you can expect on the other side of it. Make that your target to achieve in your gap year. Then at the end of the year you will have proof that your plan is at least as good as theirs.

Don't disregard college completely though. There's more than a degree to be gained there. I have helped a few college friends through some very rough times, and I know I have friends there who would do the same for me. I have also made two very big business deals with classmates and another was my business partner for a while and remains my sounding board for new ventures. Part time student full time IM'er works for some and is a nice compromise.

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reapr 16 years ago

Why not do both. Get a degree in business and marketing and learn to use those principles towards you IM business.

There is a lot of value to be gained in college and it is not just the 'book learnin'.

That is nice money your making but it will not get you a 5000 square foot house and a 5 car garage to park your favorite car collection.
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Rob D

16 years ago

Just read your blog post on "In Pursuit Of Happiness".

Now obviously any artwork is going to have a different effect depending on who is watching it and what their circumstances are. For my money - I hated that movie. I like happy movies and it was about as depressing as you get. But I know that no matter what happens to me - things will never get that bad. Why? Because I have family I can call on, I have friends I can call on, I know the names of my neighbours, I have life and contacts outside my work. For me the message of the movie wasn't that you should singlemindedly pursue your goals, but rather it was about the value of having people in place to act as a safety net if everything hits the fan.

Just thought I'd throw this in too. Now you have another 2c from me. This is a great way to build an online income - you're up to 4c already

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Rob D

16 years ago

Many of us had/have established social networks prior to coming into this business (many, not all) so a little bit of maintenance is all thats required to keep the balance. But IF an 18 year old is going to forego the setting up of these relationships because he spends his time in front of a computer all day, then he MAY very well miss out the opportunities to develop them and dare I say it - hell yeah - lose the ability to develop them in the future.

There again, if he is earning a full time income part time what makes you think he has to give up those opportunities. Hell imagine going to college AND HAVING MONEY at the same time. The possibilities there blow my mind.

6c

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Marian Berghes

16 years ago

Originally Posted by Rob D

There again, if he is earning a full time income part time what makes you think he has to give up those opportunities. Hell imagine going to college AND HAVING MONEY at the same time. The possibilities there blow my mind.

6c

thats what i'm trying to do

im in my second year now, and my family doesn't really have the "cash" to keep me here, so i keep my self... a bit rough now, but i can see the light at the end... Also i love my college life, you can love IM as much as you want... but when you hit a party with 30 people and go to sleep at 7 AM after dancing all night and stuff... you just feel great the next day.

And like many have said, i have friends that i backed up in need and i know they will do the same for me...hell... i'm eating with some of them from the same plate...what more can i say...

You don't have to stay all day in IM, schedule your business so you still get a nice income but in the meantime...go to college...go out...have fun...date chicks...make friends...drink some beer...eat a barbecue.... do i have to say more?

LIVE YOUR LIFE, don't settle for just IM and online contacts.

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Michael Shook 16 years ago

In the dark ages, as in my former life, I was a high school guidance counselor. Even managed to get myself fired, err, I mean, transferred, for suggesting to students that perhaps college was not for them as individuals.

In my own life, I managed to get through one year of "regular" college and then wound getting my master's and such a few years later going to school after work. Took me years, but it was a lot more interesting.

Mostly, it is OK for you to choose, its your life. no reason why you can't do both. But my guess is, if you are asking this question, there's at least a bit of hesitancy in your feelings. The other truth is, if you have an IM business, a fair part of it could run on autopilot while you go to class. If you went full time, its possible, you might remain at your current level of IM income for your time in school. But 4K is not so shabby.
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Kerry Finch 16 years ago

[QUOTE=
You don't have to stay all day in IM, schedule your business so you still get a nice income but in the meantime...go to college...go out...have fun...date chicks...make friends...drink some beer...eat a barbecue.... do i have to say more?
LIVE YOUR LIFE, don't settle for just IM and online contacts.[/QUOTE]

Nutshell - love it.
Kerry
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jan roos

16 years ago

Go to amazon right now and buy the book by Robert Kioysaki called Rich Dad Poor Dad. It only cost like 10 bucks. You will see how he speaks about how college prepares you for being a excellent employee and doent really teach you anything about money and how to work with it or how to make it.

Now I went to college and it was one of thebest times of my life. I had fun socially but never did feel I was getting out of it what I wanted.I just wasn't interested in learning how to be an employee and enter the 9-5 rat race. I have always been an entrepreneur.

I also don't agree that if you don't go to college that you will completely miss out on the social scene. That's BS.
After I went to college I went travelling allover Europe and now Through the US. The best times of my life, I only wish I was In a position like you are where I had made 3K month working from my lap top.

Dude, I say go travel. Take the time to figure out what you wanna do.Don't ever let anybody pressure you in doing something you dont feel is right. If you can make 10K a month in the next 4 years you will be making more than most college graduates,You will be doing what you love doing and have time to travel or do all the things you wanna do instead of working 9-5 to make someone else rich.

Just my 2 cents.

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Devan Koshal

16 years ago

Originally Posted by jan roos

Go to amazon right now and buy the book by Robert Kioysaki called Rich Dad Poor Dad. It only cost like 10 bucks. You will see how he speaks about how college prepares you for being a excellent employee and doent really teach you anything about money and how to work with it or how to make it.

Now I went to college and it was one of thebest times of my life. I had fun socially but never did feel I was getting out of it what I wanted.I just wasn't interested in learning how to be an employee and enter the 9-5 rat race. I have always been an entrepreneur.

I also don't agree that if you don't go to college that you will completely miss out on the social scene. That's BS.
After I went to college I went travelling allover Europe and now Through the US. The best times of my life, I only wish I was In a position like you are where I had made 3K month working from my lap top.

Dude, I say go travel. Take the time to figure out what you wanna do.Don't ever let anybody pressure you in doing something you dont feel is right. If you can make 10K a month in the next 4 years you will be making more than most college graduates,You will be doing what you love doing and have time to travel or do all the things you wanna do instead of working 9-5 to make someone else rich.

Just my 2 cents.

Cheers

Ive read this book so many times - Rich Dad Poor Dad = BRILLIANT

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Zeus66

16 years ago

College. One word: co-eds.

Seriously, there's no reason you'd have to quit the one to do the other. At least try it. It's not prison... drop out if you find it isn't for you. At 18 it can seem like your parents rule your life, but it won't seem that way after you've been out on your own for a while. If nothing else, going off to school will get you out from under their direct control (assuming you go away to school).

John

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Terry Hatfield

16 years ago

I value learning more than anyone on the planet, but you have to be honest with yourself.

One question - If you go to college would it be for yourself or for your parents?

If the answer is your parents then skip it. Your parents will eventually get over it in time. Don't even try and convince them that you are right and they are wrong. They just don't get it.

And guess what . . .you can still go to college later if you decide to. Only a closed mind insists it is now or never.

Thanks,
Terry

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jennstall 16 years ago

Originally Posted by Terry Hatfield

Your parents will eventually get over it in time.

Oh man, I wish that were true. I'm 43 and my mother still isn't over the fact that I never finished my degree.

As someone who never finished, I think college is worth doing... for awhile. I did learn a great deal there and the social aspects are excellent, but I don't regret not finishing. After a year or two, that's a good time to evaluate whether you feel compelled to finish it out or move on and put more energy into your business.

I also agree with everyone else that says you can do both at the same time. I always worked. There's plenty of time, even if you goof off a lot, which I did.
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- reapr 16 years ago
  
  I have to add to my prior post.
  
  If I were in your boat ... I would get a major in business or marketing and minor in computer science and pick up some php programing and other necessary languages.
  
  My only regret about college was doing as I suggested. I went after an engineering degree. I do not use that degree now but it gave me the discipline to follow stuff like IM.
  
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  apollocreed 16 years ago
  
  A British politician said I think "A plumber with Shakespeare is better off than one without it".
  
  "Rich Dad Poor dad" is a work of Fiction with little basis in reality so do not take too much notice about the idea of "College training you for employment" or anything else from that book.
  
  If you are able to make $4000 a month in IM than you are probably very street smart. If you are that business smart at 18, imagine what you could earn after starting your own successful operation after several years of work experience and training in a few other large successful businesses. If you are as smart as you are, good degrees will open doors for you that may lead to places and incomes that you never thought possible. Unless you are truly very brilliant or are very good at networking at IM seminars, it is unlikely you will ever hit it big from your home computer working by yourself. Earnings of $4000/month may seem like a lot of money now, but when you are 30 years old with a wife and 2 children, it would not be much at all. Yes, I know, you hope that you will be earning more when you are 30.
  
  I know many people who regret not going to College but not a single person who regrets going to college. Do not do "what you feel like" as what you feel like is not always what is best for you. Kurt Kobain did what he felt like and look what happened.
  
  If you have any ounce of "game" on you, you do not need to go to College for the girls. You can get girls anywhere and everywhere. I truly feel sorry for those men who only found success with drunk girls at University.
  
  Go to college, take your courses seriously and make sure you choose a subject that you enjoy. Do not be too trapped into choosing a field of study you do not enjoy just because it may have better future earning potential. Just do what you enjoy and expand your mind and experiences. You can only be the best at anything if you truly enjoy doing it and if you are the best at anything, you can probably make money from it somehow.
  
  Hawking pills and ebooks may expnad your wallet but they will just not expand or finetune your ability to reason. I used to work at a burger joint in a University town and you could distinguish students and non-students within seconds of speaking to them. You might even discover that business is shallow and meaningless and end up preferring to become a poet.
  
  On the other hand, I wonder what are all of these University graduates doing in a work from home IM forum. Are they in debt and having problems paying their monthly bills? Even if the answer is yes, government stats say that they are in a better position than they would be if they did not have their College degrees.
  
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Devan Koshal

16 years ago

schools only going to make you a living at the end of the day...

but thats not saying you cant do IM whilst your at college. its ment to give you alot of freetime. Im in the 2nd Year of sixth forum, running 6-7 businesses/starting up, learning the stock market, learning to fly and learning internet marketing it all flows round nicely.

might have to cut down a little bit though.

dont stop because if you start again in a few years time alot of things will be differnt.

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Rich Blondi

16 years ago

College, no question.

You have no idea what the future holds. IM may be dead and gone in 10 years replaced with something new. No reason you can't do both.

As a matter of fact, if I could go back to college and paid attention to the valuable stuff, I'd be a lot better off, instead I blew off the stuff I now wish I knew and have a lot of knowledge about stuff completely irrelevant to what I do now, or have ever done professionally.

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Devan Koshal

16 years ago

Originally Posted by Rich Blondi

College, no question.

You have no idea what the future holds. IM may be dead and gone in 10 years replaced with something new. No reason you can't do both.

As a matter of fact, if I could go back to college and paid attention to the valuable stuff, I'd be a lot better off, instead I blew off the stuff I now wish I knew and have a lot of knowledge about stuff completely irrelevant to what I do now, or have ever done professionally.

That is a very good point.

im going to take a gap year before i go to university so set up my businesses and websites to run on autopilot so i dont have to worry about money at university.

You should try and do the same - doesn't mean you still cant work on it though.

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Marige

16 years ago

Trenz,

Well, I haven't read all the comments posted. That's the only trouble with this board-- too busy! But I'm thinking you might be a little overwhelmed by the opinions.

First of all, as I told both my own kids at this point in their life:

1. You ARE an adult (whether parents always recognise this is immaterial) at 18. You don't need their permission to do anything.

Plus, if you're making that kind of money online, you also don't need what usually keeps kids your age inline by overbearing parents-- i.e., their money.

Also? When I was your age, I found the transition difficult to adjust to... nothing has changed, so you don't really think of yourself as an adult. Some parents like that and do nothing to help your explore your autonomy. I was out of the house before I turned 19. But I still didn't feel like an adult until I was 25... it's a mind set. Still, I made a LOT of mistakes at that age, listening to my own parents when I should have just listened to my own heart.

2. College is NOT for everyone. That doesn't make you a bad person or an illerate. Some people learn better by doing than by studying. You seem to be a doer-- so do. If your grades aren't that good, getting into a top college will be difficult.

Also, you mention the naysayers around you. Please. We all deal with those. So did Columbus, when people kept trying to tell him he was going to fall off the edge of the world... even after he made it back-- LOL!

Seriously, I just had an argument with my own brother yesterday over this. According to, I'm not a "real" writer because I'm not published offline. My response? I make real money, enough to support myself and my kids-- how much "realer" does it get?

Thing is, sure it's difficult now... but eventually you'll develop a thicker skin towards these people. They are ignorant. No offense, but it's true. And, actually, I think it has more to do with the intimidation factor about anything technical, especially computers. People either take to computer or, more often, they don't. I've seen it all my life. I was fascinated with them from the time I was your age... and soon knew about as much as a person could know. But my husband (at the time)? All he knew was how to get to the games. And that's all he wanted to know... and, pretty much, that's all he ever figured out.

That's how it is-- those who understand and those who just know how to get to the games. And the "gamers" (for want of a better term) will ALWAYS say that the internet is nothing. But, you know what? The people online all say the opposite-- and feel like the internet is ALL there is. So, it's just a matter of perspective.

Next time someone says that about working online just smile, nod and shrug your shoulders. Honestly, the more you try to convince them, the more they are probably thinking you're doing something illegal... because they have their prejudices... and nothing will shake them of those.

What's that saying? No one is so blind as those who WILL NOT see!

One other thing... whatever you decide, make sure you realize that this is YOUR LIFE... they may be your parents... but they don't have to live with your decisions. Only you do. That's the point of being an adult. Making choices and living with them.

Technically, you could drop out of school tomorrow... and, since you're 18, they couldn't do a thing about it. And, yes, I have discussed this with my children too... I'm not advocating this. But it's only fair that you realise your own options. Generally parents do know better... but not when they forget to think of you as an individual. That's the first job of a parent-- to recognise and understand their children better than anyone else.

But people get side-tracked... and aren't immune to certain brain-washing themselves.

Anyway, I hope I've given you food for thought. And don't ask me what I would have done in that position when I was your age-- I know exactly, because nobody, but nobody EVER told me what to do! LOL! But that's me. I've lived with the results and learned the hard way that, all the advice in the world is great-- but I (or, in this case. you) have to LIVE with your choices.

Be sure they're YOUR choices... not mine, not your parents... YOURS

Marige

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Kyle L Hannah

16 years ago

I'm 22 (also a college dropout) so my perspective may be a little different than some here...

First of all you don't NEED college to be successful, anyone who says that you do is WRONG!

However, that doesn't mean school is a complete waste. First off the Honey's you'll meet in college are worth the tuition(or for me it was at least) If it wasn't for the women I prob wouldn't have lasted the 3 years I did at University.

Second, I agree that some friends you'll make in college are worth their weight in gold. You could meet a future business partner in school or several entrepreneurs who along will be a great crowd to surround yourself with.

But I agree with some others saying that you need to do what you feel is best for you. I also played college football, so that was another factor that influenced my personal decision.

Whichever you decide to do I hope the best for you! And remember to live life with no regrets!

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dbarnum

16 years ago

Both, dude

Ground yourself with college. You'll be glad you did on those days when IM things go bad temporarily; for example, if Paypal, eBay or Google (or all 3 ) give you the boot overnight, etc.

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anonymous123567

16 years ago

Dude, college might be worth a shot

think of the girls.... and the booze too lol

Education is important, you know that and not just that, its life experience!

Do both man

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jwojdylo

16 years ago

Originally Posted by alexshelton

Dude, college might be worth a shot

think of the girls.... and the booze too lol

Education is important, you know that and not just that, its life experience!

Do both man

College is definitely great for the girls, you can't do the IM marketing while in school?

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PPCguru

16 years ago

I would go and study hard, HAVE FUN, get your degree and still do the IM. I'm not saying go for Engineering like I did and get killed, but do something in computers maybe? Computer Science?

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jhongren

16 years ago

Originally Posted by PPCguru

I would go and study hard, HAVE FUN, get your degree and still do the IM. I'm not saying go for Engineering like I did and get killed, but do something in computers maybe? Computer Science?

Hi, Your new path sounded like mine.

I am an Engineering student graduate, turned to social work after I graduated and now I am in IM.

We only live once so do your best!

Cheers,
John

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Lloyd Lopes

16 years ago

An interesting thread....

I'm currently doing both. ( I'm nearly finished ).

The first and second years are easier to manage doing both - so you'll probably be cool with it if you have some time management skills.

Third ( or last ) year is a bit of a crunch , and your business can grind to a halt of you don't outsource some stuff. My income has tailored off drastically because I usually do everything myself and don't have the same amount of time to devote to IM.

Depending on what you do , you can "throttle" business during busy periods , which keeps it going. You do lose momentum , but you get a degree in return.

The subjects you choose also depend on the amount of time you'll have for other things. But I have partied hard , worked hard and studied hard pretty well considering.

If you go this route though, don't expect to have free time to loaf and watch TV. Living like this chews up an 8am to 12pm day...every day...so you have to be working/studying/having fun at all times...

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Angela V. Edwards

16 years ago

8am to 12 pm, eh? So at noon, you get the rest of the day off? :p

Originally Posted by Lloyd Lopes

An interesting thread....

I'm currently doing both. ( I'm nearly finished ).

The first and second years are easier to manage doing both - so you'll probably be cool with it if you have some time management skills.

Third ( or last ) year is a bit of a crunch , and your business can grind to a halt of you don't outsource some stuff. My income has tailored off drastically because I usually do everything myself and don't have the same amount of time to devote to IM.

Depending on what you do , you can "throttle" business during busy periods , which keeps it going. You do lose momentum , but you get a degree in return.

The subjects you choose also depend on the amount of time you'll have for other things. But I have partied hard , worked hard and studied hard pretty well considering.

If you go this route though, don't expect to have free time to loaf and watch TV. Living like this chews up an 8am to 12pm day...every day...so you have to be working/studying/having fun at all times...

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buckapple 16 years ago

In reading your opening post you said a few things that got my attention. One you said your parents want you to quit IM and also your grades are slipping because of your attention is on IM.

Your parents see about 1K a week coming in now and that may not be enough for them to see a future even know you're ready to go to the next level.

Even know your parents are looking out for you expecting you to quit something you love is a tall order. Is there a way you can sit down with a neutral person that you and your parents will listen to as you hash it out?

If they expect you to quit your passion and then just readjust to their thinking, that is a pipe dream.

If you're going to have to work at your grades and your heart's not in it that's an uphill battle. This will need adjusting somehow. I would ask, how can college help your IM career? You might get in with the geek computer crowd and some savvy marketing/psychology crowd that takes your IM to a new level also.

Sure, your social life in college will definitely pick up which can't be matched anywhere unless you're in a successful music group. LOL

Cheers,
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Ernie Lo

16 years ago

1) Screw your parents. It's YOUR Life and your making great money in IM already so they have no reason to complain - don't give your dreams for anybody.

2) I would still go to college (even part time) just for the fun aspect of it.

College was the best time of my life, the friends (and girlfriends!) you make and the fun you get up...it's totally worth going.

and hey there's no harm in having a backup too.

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macchiavelli

16 years ago

Hey...

Im 19 y.o old now and I asked the same question on this forum 2 years ago.
I basically went to college and dropped out on the first day of my freshmen year.

I was like...screw this!
I love IM and I love the fact that a IM business can grow at a rate which is unseen in most businesses.

When I dropped out I didnt make money....but back when I was in highschool I would make $5000 each month in profits so my mom was ok with me dropping out.

next year ill turn 20 and dont regret dropping out....but its funny how I somehow miss waking up and going to school in the morning......I dont know.
Its not that I miss studying....I miss the way my life was more scheduled I guess.

My internet business is doing great, heck if it keeps up I just might incorporate it!

My goal is to get about $500.000 gross each month with CPA marketing and do that for a year or 2 before I get my membership site going.

I dont need college but I wouldnt mind going back to college and at the same time making $500k on the side and running a bussiness, but I think that would be very very very stressfull.

Just drop out if you want too.
The freedom is incredible, but you will miss school some days

Just make sure you keep your eyes on the price!

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Stanley Tang

16 years ago

Do both. I recently wrote a blog post about how I'm trying to balance school life and business. Look at Zuckerberg, Dell, Gates, they all started their multi-billionaire empire out of their dorm room.

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PaulSimpson

16 years ago

Hi Chris,

I had the exact same dilemma as you a couple of years ago. I was making very good money online, and was unsure about whether to go to university or not. I think I even posted a thread similar to this on the old forum.

To cut a long story short, even though I knew that I didn't want to follow the traditional 'career path' I decided to go to university, and here are a few of the reasons that I believe it was the best decision I ever made:

- Most people in this thread have rightly been telling you to do what you want to do, and not what your parents want you to do. Heres what I did...

I chose a university a long way away from home, so I could finally break free from living with my parents and live the life I have always wanted to, without being influenced by what my family want me to do. It has turned out to be the most life changing, and character building experience of MY life.

- Nowhere else can you meet literally thousands of people exactly the same age as you, going through exactly the same 'growing up' experiences at the same time. I have made a number of very close friends who I have shared the most amazing and unforgettable experiences with, and I know I have made friends for life. Sure the 'keyboard contacts you can make online are something but trust me they are second best to real life experiences.

- There are clubs and societies at university where you can meet like-minded people of the same age all living in the area. I don't believe networking like this is achievable anywhere else. For instance, I belong to an entrepreneur society, so I get to discuss business with people of the similar age as me, and the university organizes for local business men to come in and give us talks about their business. I also take part in business challenges where you get to run virtual businesses, travel around the country, and win cash prizes at the end of it.

-At the same time as experiencing all this I have been growing my online business to a level where it will be able to support me once I finish university. It does take a bit of discipline to not go out partying every night like everyone else, but it's worth it.

- And last but by no means least you can let yourself loose at weekends and have the girls falling at your feet...especially when word gets out about how much you make in your online business

You'll be fighting them off with a stick!!

I didn't go to university to get a degree I went for the experience. I consider the 'classroom' learning to be secondary to the life lessons and the experiences that I have gained from being at university. But at the same time I know that if anything goes drastically wrong in my business I know that ultimately I will have qualifications to fall back on.

Listen, you only get one chance in life, and I'm a firm believer that you should try and experience everything you possibly can. Why not go to college and if it's not for you, you can always leave, but if you never try it how will you ever know.

But as I said at the end of the day the choice is entirely up to you. I hope this helps you towards making your decision in some way.

Paul

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tommygadget

15 years ago

This is exactly what I was going to say. Where do you think the next IM stars are going to come from? Start your own IM club, create contacts and generate buzz and equity while you are at school. BTW, who says you can't just try it out to see if it is for you? What's the harm in that? Last, but not least, everyone I have ever talked to says that their college experience was hands down the best time of their lives. And I've talked to A LOT of people in my time. Do what you want, just don't close any doors without walking through them first to see what's on the other side.

TomG.

Originally Posted by PaulSimpson

Hi Chris,

I had the exact same dilemma as you a couple of years ago. I was making very good money online, and was unsure about whether to go to university or not. I think I even posted a thread similar to this on the old forum.

To cut a long story short, even though I knew that I didn't want to follow the traditional 'career path' I decided to go to university, and here are a few of the reasons that I believe it was the best decision I ever made:

- Most people in this thread have rightly been telling you to do what you want to do, and not what your parents want you to do. Heres what I did...

I chose a university a long way away from home, so I could finally break free from living with my parents and live the life I have always wanted to, without being influenced by what my family want me to do. It has turned out to be the most life changing, and character building experience of MY life.

- Nowhere else can you meet literally thousands of people exactly the same age as you, going through exactly the same 'growing up' experiences at the same time. I have made a number of very close friends who I have shared the most amazing and unforgettable experiences with, and I know I have made friends for life. Sure the 'keyboard contacts you can make online are something but trust me they are second best to real life experiences.

- There are clubs and societies at university where you can meet like-minded people of the same age all living in the area. I don't believe networking like this is achievable anywhere else. For instance, I belong to an entrepreneur society, so I get to discuss business with people of the similar age as me, and the university organizes for local business men to come in and give us talks about their business. I also take part in business challenges where you get to run virtual businesses, travel around the country, and win cash prizes at the end of it.

-At the same time as experiencing all this I have been growing my online business to a level where it will be able to support me once I finish university. It does take a bit of discipline to not go out partying every night like everyone else, but it's worth it.

- And last but by no means least you can let yourself loose at weekends and have the girls falling at your feet...especially when word gets out about how much you make in your online business

You'll be fighting them off with a stick!!

I didn't go to university to get a degree I went for the experience. I consider the 'classroom' learning to be secondary to the life lessons and the experiences that I have gained from being at university. But at the same time I know that if anything goes drastically wrong in my business I know that ultimately I will have qualifications to fall back on.

Listen, you only get one chance in life, and I'm a firm believer that you should try and experience everything you possibly can. Why not go to college and if it's not for you, you can always leave, but if you never try it how will you ever know.

But as I said at the end of the day the choice is entirely up to you. I hope this helps you towards making your decision in some way.

Paul

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LB

16 years ago

I went to college for 2 years after high school because of the pressure put on me by my family.

I dropped out after that and moved a couple thousand miles away.

I can tell you that even if all of my internet businesses were to dry up right now, I wouldn't even consider going back.

College is about training you to be an EMPLOYEE.

As far as being a social outlet...I've had a much better social life outside of college than in it. It's just a matter of finding likeminded people through clubs or hobbies.

Most people who went to college will tell you to go as well because it's self-affirming to them.

Regardless of what others say- do what you want. If it's your desire to go to college, I won't tell you not too.

I can tell you though, if you're already successful, you will find it a challenge to sit there and listen to "business theory" from a professor who is probably making less than you.

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dbressler

16 years ago

Consider college! It's the last vestige before people start expecting you to grow up.

You don't have to give up your IM business in order to go. Think about studying marketing ... you will be able to use those skills for the rest of your life. College is a blast! Don't pass up the opportunity if you can!

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lennelljones

16 years ago

I am going to have to say go to college - and you can do both if you manage your time wisely. The college experience is something that goes beyond book learning and it will help to round out your character. College is the next step in your life's learning experiences. Meet new people, network, learn, and have fun!

LJ

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sideserver

16 years ago

Chris,

I'm going to go along with most of the people here and say that going to college (while continuing your IM biz) would be the prudent choice.

Aside form all the perks that everyone has already mentioned, you get to meet a lot of people. Specifically, people who are intelligent and share the same interests as you. Remember that Bill Gates met Steve Ballmer (Now CEO of Microsoft) as his roommate at Harvard, and that Larry Page and Sergey Brin of Google met at Stanford. The point is there's a good chance you can get to know people who're either interested in IM, or people who can complement your business in some way.

I've never thought of IM and college as being mutually exclusive in any way. You should have time for both - and then some.

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TCmarketer

16 years ago

It's all very simple actually. Of all of the personal development material I have read, one of the most underlying questions one must ask themselves is: Will this take me in the direction of my goals and dreams? If it won't, then it is 100% garaunteed to take you in the opposite direction.
If someone else's suggestion (or idea) will not assist you or take you in the direction of your goals and dreams, it will lead you around in a circle, becuase that's where they're going.

You already know what YOU want, and what you persue for the betterment of yourself is all that matters.
Your parents had dreams planned out for you. Their dreams, not yours. You will never find happiness living someone elses dreams and not living your own.

So with all of the above said, here's my advice.

Your at the age in which legally you are still under your parents "control". Simply put, LIE and tell them that you'll go to college but you want a year off to earn more money to make college life more comfortable. (even though i imagine you already do) This should put your parents at ease enough becuase they believe you'll go and they'll get what they want. When you turn 19, you are then legally allowed to move right out and do whatever you want. You decided that college just wasn't for you.
Your parents will be angry sure. But they only understand the world in which they've created for themselves. The ways of old. Are your parents rich? Do they wish they were? Maybe they don't have the money problems alot of parents face today, but neither will you.
You will also not resent your parents for following your heart. You'll pitty them, and wish that someday they'll understand the freedom and peace of mind that you enjoy.

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Andres

16 years ago

Bro - GO TO COLLEGE!!

An education is something we all need - bottom line. Go to school F/T and do the IM part time.

Read simple.

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LB

16 years ago

There is a lot of small-minded naysaying in this thread.

Sit around with some self-made millionaires some time and ask them what they think of college...many of them never set foot in the place.

If college is where your heart lies, then go.

But to think that without college you'll never be successful? Please.

If you want something bad enough, nothing will stop you. On the other hand, college can't "make" you into anything.

Some of these "Warriors" should go back to college instead of trying to make it online. If that's their advice, they better "walk the talk".

They would demand no less of the gurus they love to hate on.

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Angela V. Edwards 16 years ago

I would certainly advise going to college. Remember, the more you learn, the more information you have to offer to others. Not only that, but this will give you a great foundation and you will be highly employable for the rest of your life. Work on IM during college and after you get your degree, if you choose to be a full time IMer, that's great. You will still have something to fall back on if you should ever need it.
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samcarson

16 years ago

Go to College part time and work on your IM in parallel.

Good Luck

Sam

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sgs

16 years ago

Chris:

First your English is super - don't worry on that account!

Before launching into my contribution to all this -- are you still in Latvia? And is the college you're thinking of going to in Latvia too? If it is, and if you feel that's too limiting, have you thought of going to England, or the US for college?

I'm in my 50s - and please don't think that I'm some sort of old fart who is going to give you a hard time. I'm not. I'm just going to give you the benefit of 30 years of a crazy wonderful life with both a college degree and a drop out in my past.

I went to college in London when I was 18 and I had a blast. I studied something very esoteric and it was a double degree in four years. I left exhausted - but with a degree, the first person in my immediate family to get one.

I went overseas to do my Masters which for a bunch of reasons, the most important being principle, I didn't complete. I went from job to job, finally becoming a journalist and correspondent for several major news organizations - and rising as high as I could go. Only history and circumstance, and again - principle (damn it!!) kept me from still being there.

Why am I telling you this -- because those who argue that you should go - are right. And those that tell you that you should follow your heart - well, they're right too. I did both and I can tell you hand on my heart that I never regretted not getting the Masters. Would it have been nice, sure -- but did it impede me in any way - absolutely not?

I've traveled widely, I've met people from all over the world. Like you I come from a place where languages are valuable, and so armed with 5 or so other than English, I've made my way around the world several times, dined with kings and queens, and the homeless on the streets of Washington DC. At no time did my first degree mean anything more than having a few initials after my name. I never used the courses I studied -- but it was like having a visa, a stamp on my passport that got me into places, and gave me job opportunities.

In the end my personality and my skills, my bloodymindedness when I figured out what I wanted to do, and my drive got me where I wanted to go. And my college background - well it taught me to think, to parse, to look at problems from many more sides than high school did, it provided me with tools I didn't know then that I'd need. It taught me how to take pressure and channel it.

It made a difference.

I can only speak from experience - but my warm recommendation to you is this. Go to college, continue your business. Try to find a way to combine your passion with the learning. Learn what everyone else is told - and then think different.

You'll never know what it means to think outside the box, if you've not seen the inside.

And you'll never see the inside, if you spend all your life on the outside.

Jan

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decisionmaker123

15 years ago

Well well! by now its been long thread of posts for you but I also agree with what normally everyone has said. Going to college is not only for increasing your grades, its also for broadening your horizon.
It will make you smarter and more confident to live in this world. You will be able to deal more accurately in your business or job in future.
Its your overall personality which gets positively affected.
Or you can also try for part time college so that you can side by side concentrate on your business too.
But believe me studies are important. Once you have gained that momentum and got a degree, half battle is already won.

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Kenneth L

15 years ago

Hi,

My advice: Don't go to College.

There are so many ways to learn about the world that don't require you to go and do an expensive College Degree.

If you're going to do Internet Marketing anyway then there is really no need.

The Internet isn't going anywhere. Look upon your Internet Marketing education as your college education but make sure you have some extra activities outside.

Remember, regardless of what anyone says, the main reason for going to College is to make money. Internet Marketing provides far more freedom and income than the vast majority of jobs.

Growth as a person and in terms of understanding/experience is not inextricably linked to going to College.

Now get out there and grow that business

!

Best Wishes,

Kenneth

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Neil S

15 years ago

It's a tough call. In the end if IM is what you love and want to do for the rest of your life then there isn't much of a need for a degree.

On the other hand, College is an amazing experience in other aspects of life. You will make life long friends, have access to wonderful facilities, communities, and educators. You will certainly become a more rounded person. You can also study abroad.

I have a degree which I owe thousands for and I don't apply a lick of what I learned in the real world. Most of my friends are in the same boat. Yet the experience alone is invaluable.

I would recommend going for a year and seeing what you think. Take a light load of classes so you can still work on IM. If you feel it is a waste of time then simply drop out. You are an adult now and can make your own decisions. You're parents no longer control your life.

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The Wanderer

15 years ago

Trenz-- since I lived in your part of the world for a long time, I think I know where both you -- and your parents-- are coming from. I'm going to recommend something a little different that might satisfy both of you. Go to college-- but in the US-- and focus on business, IT and psychology-- all things really useful in your future IM career.

US colleges are both more flexible and -- sorry fellow Americans!-- with a few exceptions the courses will be considerably easier and leave you more time for other interests than would probably be the case in Latvia. A much higher percentage of Americans go to College than is the case in Europe, so the programs are designed for non-exceptional students, not a small, exceptionally talented minority as is still the case in many other parts of the world. They are also geared to older students, so most Colleges have ways to get credit for knowledge you've acquired outside of the classroom. You could probably get quite a few credits for your internet marketing knowledge without doing more than writing a few detailed papers on what you've done and how you did it.

Both living in another country and going to college will both give you priceless experience with a wide variety of people from all sorts of backgrounds-- and I think you'll find it a lot of fun as well! Maybe even as much fun as your internet marketing business! ;-)

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Leanne King

15 years ago

Well you can only do what makes you happy in the long run.

I know when I was your age I didn't go to Uni straight from High School and regretted it. I then went back to Uni (did three degrees through three different Unis simultaneously) while working full time and having a part time job. My only regret was that I didn't go straight from school to Uni not only because of the all cool parties and social activities I missed, or the long term friendships that could be made but because those years before you have your own business, your mortgage and family are some of the best years of your life for carefree irresponsibility

and enjoyment.

If I had my time over again I would do both - the IM and the college!

All the best on your big decision.

Leanne

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Marcus Paul

15 years ago

Go to college part time and study Business or Marketing. Continue with IM as your career while going to college. Believe it or not, when it is time to write papers and do projects, you will already have most of them done because you have done the work.

Make this deal with your parents that you will go as long as you can decide on your major and how many credits you take a semester.

Good luck!

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Lionel Turner 15 years ago

Don't go to college just because your parents want you to..unless you think you should as well. If you are making 3-4K a month and you really want to do IM then move out at 18 because once you have to start paying your bills every month that will motivate you to work even harder at this. Just my 2 cents.
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hughbanks

15 years ago

You may actually be sitting on a bigger goldmine then you think.

I would re-evaluate your options in a different way.

I don't agree that college is an answer to success but the important factor is what is taught in a classroom. Some college courses will actually excel you while others won't. But that doesn't mean you can't walk away with something of value.

You have a chance to expand your level of experience. You may learn something new and even though it's not in IM it doesn't matter because whatever you learn in life helps to build you to what you want to become as a person.

Parents may not always have the answer, but there have been a few times I wish I would have listened. Some parents may even go overboard with things but it's the initial push that counts.

Sometimes obsessions have to be harnessed.

If you allow your obsession to get the best of you, you might end up in trouble. Life is a balance.

You've mentioned that your parents have planned your life without you even knowing it.. well that's kinda/almost their job.. but that doesn't mean you can't plan your own life without them knowing it as well.

No matter how many steps you take forward, you will always find yourself eventually taking one step backwards " I guarantee it".

Personally I would go to college just for the experience and not the education (that would just be a bonus).
Your IM will go with you know matter where you are. If you can only do that from mom and dads home you've got problems.

There's nothing wrong with not going to college. And I really hope your parents are not the type to disown you for not doing so.
Just expect an I told you so if your IM doesn't work out.

If they are the type of parents that would disown you and you don't want that to happen, then just go to college. When you get old enough to live your own life without them you can take a desired direction.

Have you asked them to compromise and extend the time frame on going. That could be a win/win for both sides.

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PookDo

15 years ago

That question can be answered just by google Ryan Moran

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PookDo

15 years ago

I should have pointed out that one of my major goals when I start making at least $2k to $4k monthly is to be able to say goodbye to my current job and spend more time on IM and part of the time taking online classes.I have always deeply respected education and if I do get a college degree even though I am over 40 I will be the first peron in my family to do so

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lacraiger

15 years ago

stay in school is the best advice

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jayrock15

15 years ago

Life is way too short and it is all about making money and having fun at the end of the day. I remember when I was 18 and it seems just like yesterday.

College and books is not for everyone. Go with your gut instinct!!!

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dwoodward

15 years ago

College is much more than education. It is a huge opportunity for networking. Most of the greatest minds started and then dropped out after finding a partner or working on an idea together. I would say definitely go.

Look at Micorsoft, Google the list goes on and on

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AgencyScripts

15 years ago

I am sure you have plenty of friends who are going to college or university. Why not just get an apartment around the university or college? That way you can see what its like to be around that enviroment, and still work on your business.

Then if you so choose too, take a course, and you will have your apartment, and your business... AND the education your parents want you to have.

I didn't go to college, but I moved to the Capital City (of Canada) to be with all my friends who did. I still get to enjoy the lifestyle with them. Going out to bars, etc etc.

The only difference is... when we are at the Jazz bar, they all complain about mid-term this, and alarm clock that. All I have to really add to the conversation is... "I haven't used an alarm clock for three years..."

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lakshaybehl

15 years ago

I was a student of the most prestigious and sought after college of this country... I quit after 2 years of joining it. I still had two years to complete my degreee, but still, I quit.

WHY?

Because I did not like that college... I simply did not like the environment.

I just didn't like the negativity over there. People coul never think beyond a six figure SALARY... Which only a few got.

I was one of the toppers... Yet I hated what I learned... Simply because what I learned was what I forgot immeditaely after the exam... The pattern of teaching just was not right.

Practical reports were copied from one student who did it... Professors were linient, even biased towards those who were involved in college politics, I had a lot of friends AFTER I had my car and a big bank balance... Before that, there was just one friend...

SPORTS and Social Integration: Only champions were allowed to play... Heck only the champs were coached... No coaches for beginners...Any sport. Only PRO dancers allowed to participate. Just No scope for an over weight person to try and begin dancing. I was losing SELF ESTEEM. RAPIDLY.

Guess what.. I was pretty obese back then, although I am much slimmer now... I had to spend 45 hours a week on college... I was getting good grades... YET I WAS DISAPPOINTED. Why? I wasn't socially accepted. People made fun of me because I was fighting poverty. They just wanted me to wait for a job becuse they were also waiting for a job. WHO KNOWS WHY??? I guess people in India are way too stereotypical.

And this college is IIT... go see their website or anything on the web... Students are dying to get into that one. But I don't just like the prospect to bearning the burden of some monotonous studies that they just don't want to explain.... They want us to MUG it up... I did, but I would have preferred to learn through observation.

Having said that I must say if it were a US college, I would never have dropped it. Its just not for money, but for friends, lessons and experiences.... I have had my experiences of sadness, and I became very bitter.

Classmates wanted me to drink alcohol, my values tell me not to. Its just not what I see myself doing... And they took it as if I was SHOWING OFF TO BE A MAN OF SUPREME VALUES... Guess what, these people never drank in front of their family members... I guess way way inside they feel they are wrong themselves and I am right... And they hate me for being right.

I have had moments when I had tears in my eyes... And I consider myself to have nerves of steel... I was Lonely, sitting in the midst of a crowd... With no one to help me. Because I did not want to copy blindly, I wanted to understand. Because I would not drink with them... Because I said NO to them at places... And I was not willing to waste my money over their little local MLM schemes that run here only to crash in a few months.

People in India are not just poor (MOSTLY)... but also have a poor mindset. But I now interact with so many westerners... And I know they have an open mind and a fresh approach... People in India fight over Parking space... At least 1000 people die each year in these fights. And these are neighbors. Go figure.

I am sad about this social system in India... I expected a better world in IIT... It was worse.

In the end, my advice for the OP is to go to college and see if you can handle both the things... I was not, and I quit college.

Probably I would not have quit if I was not so disappointed... I am sure you won't be. So go to college... If its a good experience, stay there... If it's not, QUIT.

You sure will be a rich teen...

-Lakshay

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Nizzura

15 years ago

You need your paper man...
and you still can do your IM while studying..

No big deal..

Nizzura

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Devan Koshal 15 years ago

it depends what you are going to be doing.

i.e. i want to be a pilot so im going to university to learn how to fly.

people at my school always ask why are you still at school if your making more than teachers?

its simply for the grades to go to university and the experience you have a university. / flying planes for 3 years sounds good as well.

but i would take a gap year if i were you....that's what i am doing - and concerntrate on my businesses and internet marketing.

it would feel great to have money coming in at university while evereyone else is struggling to get a job in the area.
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MuayThaiGuy

15 years ago

You're only 18 and you're making about 1,000 dollars a week.
You obviously know what you're doing.
You obviously love what you're doing as well.
You're also likely to end up making a lot more than you're making right now.

Everyone is telling you that the college experience is about making friends, partying, meeting girls etc.

Well, you don't have to pay X-amount of dollars per year to sit in a class and listen to a lecture that you're NOT interested in so you can do any of the above things (friends, parties, girls).

How's this for a growing/learning experience..

You take all that money you would have invested in college and invest in into travelling and into growing your IM business.

You mentioned that you sometimes feel like leaving your phone on the table and leaving?

Well, take the phone with you, keep in touch with your family and travel. Bring your laptop as you can work from anywhere in the world.

In my opinion, travelling the world will give you greater life-experiences than sitting in a classroom taking classes that you're NOT interested in.

I'm writing this from a Muay Thai camp in Thailand right now!
Next year I want to go to Brazil.

You're 18, you have a good income and you have the knowledge and skills to build on that.

Most college graduates come out of school with a huge debt to repay and they don't even start off making what you're making RIGHT NOW ..

The answer to me seems obvious, but that's me ..
Trust your instincts and do whatever it is that you feel will make you happy.
That's really all that matters, isn't it? That you're happy.

Follow your passion.

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TimRobinson

15 years ago

Dude, seriously don't go to college if you don't want to, you'll get nothing out of it (although the poker + drinking is always fun

). Most of my friends went to college because their parents told them to and didn't even bother getting a job in their field after they left cause they were sick of it (I'm talking 80% of my friends who've finished collage don't work in their field or don't have jobs).

Stick with IM and do something you want to do in college.

The one thing college is good for is making friends / getting better with the opposite sex and drinking / getting stoned.

DO NOT quit IM. I made that mistake in highschool too (I ran a site from when I was 15 to 17) and it took me forever to get back to where I was, wish I kept it going as it could have been huge by now.

You also have enough money to live out of home too, if your parents continually drag you down with negativity and closed mindedness it may be a good idea to move out of home else it'll be a struggle to grow your business with them constantly telling you to stop.

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gunsnroses

15 years ago

it is a breath taking article...u know iam just 19 and trying 2 learn IM so that i can pay fees for my college..and i just published a new blog of mine which is not working much as i was new in this and donno much 2 do..adn even my parents are not allowing 2 do this as they think i wont b able 2 earn and even i want 2 pay fees..well trenz i know u can help me out so plzz reply me and PM me...

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timemeter90

15 years ago

college for sure. It builds your base strong. Once the base is concrete, you career is half made. You can take it in whatever direction you want.

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InternetM39482

15 years ago

Well, I am a high school student myself, and although the passion may be really high - I do not think you should miss on college.

I'm sure you will learn a lot over at college, the social scenario is completely different, you grow up a good personality.

You can still continue with Internet Marketing full time. Go, take a few classes at the college, feel the atmo and decide yourself.

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Michael Oksa

15 years ago

I don't know if this will help, but here goes.

When I got out of high school way back in 1986 (!) I had NO desire to go to college. In fact my 4 year cumulative high school GPA was 1.032 (not good). I did very well on tests, but homework and me never mixed.

Anyway, I went through the next 22 years thinking I was doing pretty well. And, I do IM full-time, so it's not bad.

I was involved in MLM for a few years and all of the speakers from stage went on about how college doesn't prepare you to be successful, and how you don't need it - BUT - every one of them had been to college. (I call that hypocrisy, but I digress)

This past summer my oldest was having her college orientation, and I got to go along. It was an all day affair, and about 30 minutes in, I realized I was wrong about college. I wish I would have went then. They had some awesome classes, and I saw more of what it was really all about. It's more than just the book learning, it's also about new experiences and interacting with people from diverse backgrounds.

Just wanted to share that to show a different perspective.

Do whatever you think is truly best for you, but make sure you are doing it for the right reasons - the almighty dollar is not the best reason, IMHO.

Wishing you every success,
Michael Oksa

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Joshua N. Rabon

15 years ago

I have to agree with Daniel's advice

FOLLOW YOUR HEART

I went to college and I agree with most that it was a great experience, but I went to college because I was brainwashed by society to think anyone who didn't was a doomed fool. That was 20 years ago, and I've learned better.

Do what you think will allow you to do the most good for the most people and have the best time doing it, considering who you are and what you have to share.

If the IM money is the main thing calling you then maybe you should say no to it.

Put some effort into creating your vision of the legacy you'd like to leave behind. Can college(you choosing your major and classes not your parents) fit into it, can IM fit into it.

I know your young and thinking of a Legacy or Vision might seem out there but by knowing what you want to experience and contribute, you'll know where you need to go to get the resources you need.

You might find that both or neither will help you go where you truly want to go in life.

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AndyCamden

15 years ago

Bottom line is that college will give you some experiences that you will never trade for the world. I am not talking about the academics either. I would just do both.

Ask yourself: "What do I really want to do?"

At 18 I went to college just because my parents told me to. I ended up wasting a lot of money and had no direction or purpose in the process.

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jazzyjeff

15 years ago

Chris,

Go to college. You might meet some more IMers there. Plus, you don't always have to finish school in 4 years like everyone else. Take half the number of classes and take your time.

I remember my college days. I had lots of free time to do the things I wanted to. So if time is what you are worried about, you don't need to. Also, I'll tell you that I miss college because when you are working 9-5, there are no more than 2 weeks of vacation for me. Back in college, I was in class for only 4-6hrs and had winter break, spring break, 3 months for summer break.

So it really isn't all that bad.

Jeff

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trafficwave

15 years ago

I was talking to a guy this very evening. He and I are both musicians. He went to college. He got his degree. He and his room mate were dabbling in IM while they were in college.

His room mate started doing pretty well with IM.

This guy gave his room mate a hard time about how he was goofing off, etc... The room mate said, "Yeah... but it's fun and I'm making money at it so why not?".

The room mate is a very successful IM'er and makes tens of thousands of dollars per month.

The guy I was talking to is .... well .... let's just say that he's certainly not making that kind of money.

They both went to college.
They shared a room with each other.
They both got their degrees.

One is doing very well in IM.

The other is kicking himself for not paying more attention to his room mate.

Your journey is your own; not your parents'.

In my own journey, I never even finished my first semester of college. I went on the road with a band. Over the years, I've learned about business at UHK (University of Hard Knocks).

College can be whatever you decide to make of it.

There are many paths to success.

It is up to YOU to decide which path(s) you will follow.

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MuayThaiGuy

15 years ago

If you do go to college, you could always do something that will help you with your IM efforts.

Web design, software development etc.

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bubbavine

15 years ago

Dude you have to go to college.. do you realize how "rich" you will be "making $3500 to $4000 per month" compared to the other broke college students... you will be a big hit at all the parties and have a blast...

I was broke in college and had the time of my life... wouldn't trade it for anything..

If I would have had an extra $4000 per month to "have fun" with I probably would have never graduated...

Go to college ... and stay for at least 6 or 7 years... keep on IMing and be the campus "guru"

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Spike SpiegelIM

15 years ago

I'd say, go to college. If you have the resources, and have the inclination to do it, I'd say go for it. As someone has said, there are experiences in college that you can't get anywhere else. But of course you can do both at the same time as long as you know what you're doing.

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Alex Sol

15 years ago

Hey, TrenZ!

I think the decision comes to the question of which program you would do in college... because most are useless.

My friend went to University for coputer science, in his 3rd year he found out that the first year if what he learned was now outdated and not used. By the time he finished it - his 2 years were outdated... and he couldn't get a job...

Now, a few of my friends studied Marketing and Advertising in college... I was surprised that I have learned x100 more ONLINE than they did in College.

I am going to University next year, into Film/Cinema - simply because it is a passion of mine and I would like to learn it for myself. If it was for "career/money" I would probably skip college and stay with IM, but for personal pleasure and growth I would go back to school to educate myself on the subjects that I really enjoy.

Just my $0.02

Alex

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Peter Chiron

15 years ago

Great question!

I did a search on Google for you and found an article that goes into reasons for going to college By Paul W Wilson at Ezine Articles, those reasons are.

1. A college education secures our future. The number of employment opportunities is greater and statistics reveal that most leaders are college grads.
2. If you have a college education you will make more money which in turn will enable you to have a better lifestyle. If a high school graduate earns US$ 34,303 annually, a college graduate will earn US$ 56,334, and a person with a professional qualification will net at least US$ 99,411.
3. It is not just earnings. A college education makes you a rounded person. It shapes your communication skills, expands your knowledge base, makes you methodical and organized, and exposes you to a whole new world of learning.
4. People with a college education have better value systems and are healthier. They are able to guide their family positively.
5. College can help you qualify in fields you are interested in. So if you are an innovator, inventor, or healer, or artist you can train in the specific field and qualify.
6. According to experts, college graduates are self confident, have greater knowledge of governance, are less likely to become criminals, are emotionally and financially secure, make better partners and parents, and have a deeper understanding of human nature.
7. College instills a deep sense of right and wrong and is they very essence of a democratic world.
8. Education opens the doors to many things like multiple jobs, career choices, the chance to further education at any point in life, and the option of teaching others what you have learnt. Be it a child, family member, or a poor person you meet.
9. College education is an investment in you that yields much more than Wall Street investments.
10. College educated citizens will ensure the continuing success of the "American Dream." The ability to see the right path and work for peace and prosperity.

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ss61288

15 years ago

Trenz, I feel your pain brother!
Do what you feel is right, and you will kick-ass either way.

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rsteadm2

15 years ago

Do Both!

Can you imagine going to college with out all the financial pressures that most college kids go through. You will not need to get a job. You can go to class, build your business, stay in the good graces of your parents, learn about whatever you want, and continue to grow you IM business so that your college compliments your life.

Think of all the projects you can outsource to fellow students who need to make some money.

Good luck to you.

Ray S.

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InternetMoneyStream

15 years ago

In my personal experience passion is key no matter what the task is.Doing something that you love day in and day out is what is going to get you through the ups and downs.

Don't view college as a roadblock just a social and learning excerise that will prepare you for life after IM in case you decide that route. The interesting part is that you are already making more with IM than some people will that graduate in your class with you at college.

I was a technical business consultant before IM, and it is something that i worked hard at but i would not say i was passionate about it. I make more now in a year than i would have working for 3 at my old job. I was paid very well, but now i enjoy working from home.

Good Luck to you either way that you chose.

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Roderick Armstrong

15 years ago

Trenz, the fact that you have taken the time to ask this question shows a lot of wisdom on your part. You're already ahead in the game of life. You're also making a very nice income from IM so it would be a shame to walk away from that.

Is it possible to do both? Could you maintain your IM business while going to college? I think I would ask myself, how long would it take me to build my business back to where it once was and how long would it take me to reach the ultimate goal if I paused IM to go to college?

I'd try to do both. Take college courses that will help you build your IM business even faster. I'd definitely find a way to maintain and build that IM income if I were you.

Ultimately, take your time and make the right decision for YOUR life. You're the one who will have to live with your decision.

I pray you make the right call buddy!

Best regards to you!

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thehypnoguy2

15 years ago

If you are already making 3.5 - 4k a month you are already earning nearly 50K a year which is far from entry level pay even with a college degree. You are 18 and making more than most do at a job where you usually don't have the option of moving it to 30K a month or 360K a year. Finish high school and get your diploma. Then make your own choice. At your current level of success you can lead your own life and pay your own expenses. At the next level you can have that wife and children. Get her before you get really rich then you'll know she loves you for you and not your money. Go with your passion it will carry you farther in life than anything else others will plan for you. BTW, I'm 51 so I have enough life experience to recommend this. Also, what are you doing at 18 to pull down that much

.

Here is a compromise for what your parents want. If they want you to go to college then do so. Find a local city college with an adult extension program and turn in a course plan and teach a college class on IM. Now you are even better, your are a college instructor. Then your parents can say my son the college Professor

.

Martin

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AndrewCavanagh

15 years ago

Originally Posted by Trenz

Hello Warriors.

Well the question is simple College or IM ?

Lately I have been thinking about it. The thing is that I'm just 18 y.o., doing internet marketing for almost 2 years, and at the moment I am making around 3.5k - 4k/month. The thing is that my parents are really strict, they have their own principles. I'm still in High School, it's my senior year, and my parents are ordering me to go to College, while in the meantime I want to do internet marketing full-time. The worst thing is that they have planned my life already without even me knowing it, they already know what I will do, they have already made contacts where I will work after the college and so on. While I love my parents and respect them, but this time I am completely against them.

It's just that my IM business is about to go to next level. My ultimate goal is to earn 30k/month from IM. I really LOVE it, I haven't had such a passion for anything in my life. I love every single aspect of it. I can talk, think, write about IM 25/8. But then again, I have this feeling that everyone around me has already planned my life for me. Everyone expects that I'll got some fancy education, get a nice office job, get a wife, get some kids, buy a house, pay the loan for the next 30 years, and retire at 65. I have plans to start a family later in my life, but only when I can fully support them with everything.

My parents know how much I make money online, my parents know exactly what I do online to make money, I have showed them every bit of my business to them, yet they still want me to quit it. I'll be honest, my grades aren't that good in school, because I'm obsessed with my business. This means that to get in a nice college I need good grades in High School, to get good grades in high school, I need fully to focus on my studies, which means that I'll lose my business forever. It's really eating me from inside that nobody believes me that I can do it. I am totally surrounded by the "you can't do it" people.

It's really hard, sometimes I just get this idea in my head maybe I should just leave my cell phone on the table and leave without saying anything to anyone. The worse thing is that still my parents think that I am just wasting my time with internet marketing and I should join the holy rat race for life.

I've already told them that it's my life, I will have to live it, and I will have to deal with consequences of my actions. I want to live my own life, my own dreams, I want to reach my own dreams, and live them fully. Too bad that 9 - 5 is not my dream.

Ohhh.... feel so much better now. Sometimes I feel that Warrior Forum somehow is an group therapy, where you can share everything, and it really helps.

All I want to ask - has anyone experienced this ? How to deal with this ?

Sorry for my English, it's just not my mother tongue.

Best regards,

Chris.

If you're earning $3,000 to $4,000 a month and you're willing to support yourself on that and you're 18 what you do with your life is your choice.

You certainly could run your internet marketing business AND go to college.

But ultimately you make your own decisions.

Kindest regards,
Andrew Cavanagh

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tommygadget

15 years ago

This thread caused quite a ruckus when it first appeared. I guess I thought it landed in the off-topic forum, but it just got buried. I wish I could go back to college and do some things over...

TomG.

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xDennis

15 years ago

Hello,
I was in your shoes 8 years. Ago.

After highschool, I went to college.. but was more interested in "doing my own thing" so after 3 years I dropped out (finance major). I conducted business (ebay, real estate) and did really well. I made over 50k for the year but I thought I was missing something.. so I went back to college in 2005 at a different school (majoring in Lab. Animal Sci, with a concentration in biology and chemistry.), I started over from scratch and I grew so much mentally, not to mention I've had a lot of fun the past several years... I've done things I never thought I would be able to..and I'm very proud of my collegiate success. In may I'm about to graduate. A lot of my friends are running around trying to find a job, it's a good thing knowing that I not only have a good education, but I also don't have to count on corp america to pay my bills.

I guess moral of the story is , goto college, even if it's a community college. You will grow a lot personally and experience new things. It will be worth it in the long run.

Good luck in your decision!

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ChristineC

15 years ago

Set up you life so you can do both. Doesn't necessarily have to be at once. Don't burn any bridges. I don't know many people who regret at least trying university for a while.

Can you go to university part time in Latvia? If so, that sounds like a possible option. In the US a lot of people take 6-8 years to finish a four year degree because they also have to work to support themselves.

You might need to negotiate with your parents .... so that you can both get at least a little bit of what you want. It's tricky being the negotiator when you are the kid though.

(I think, if I was your mom, I'd be very impressed that you were successfully running a business - that takes at least as much discipline and skill as luck!) Funny thing is, most 18 year olds don't know what they want to do....and you do!

And that thing about them having your entire life planned out? It's too far away to worry about, and things become very different when you are no longer living under the same roof. It does sound as though it would be good if you could live outside of your family home - everyone needs to do that

Christine

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dndoseller

15 years ago

IM of course - your attitude towards your parents is right on. Everything you think about the work world is true and worse - you should avoid it as if your life depended on it. To find peace with them just play along - maybe get a degree in web/computer science, ecommerce or online marketing to appease them. Keep going on your track and in ten years or less, YOU will be the employer. Go their route and your a sucker. They have absolutely no idea, and never will, the abilities you have been fortunate enough to pick up - IM is just a start to thinking like and being business OWNER. If you go to college, just think of like the rich people whom invented it did - its life enrichment for enjoyments sake.

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J smith 15 years ago

Isn't senior year in high school a bit late to start getting good grades for college? As I can recall you only send the grades from the first half of the senior year in with your application, and I am pretty sure I got accepted before the year ended 9so basically the college only saw my 3rd quater grades of senior year) Granted my memory seems a bit hazy of this, but still, a senior year is kind of late if your grades from previous 3 weren't that great.

the other question, what kind of a job do your parents plan for you to get and what does it pay? You are already at 4k/month which is adecent 48k a year. Granted a college education can give you more, but so can im.

Anyway, I'd still say go to college, you can continue to build your im income and being in college will give you some nice life experience.
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windfall_results

15 years ago

Let me think of one innovative marketing technique I learned in college...

Still thinking...

The only one I can think of is to use the conventional wisdom of marketing professors as a contrarian indicator.

Honestly, I learned more about marketing reading from the "masters" than I ever did in college. Bland teachings results in bland marketing, hence the reason why most people in business fail miserably at marketing.

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gamequeen

15 years ago

COLLEGE!!!! I just got my Bachelors in Digital Design and going for my Masters this year possibly for Marketing! You can go to school full time and IM part time. In this day and age a degree is a must! GO FOR IT!!!!!

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KBunn

15 years ago

I know that you have received a lot of great information and advice, but I thought I would throw my two cents in there. My situation is not the same as yours, but hopefully it will help you out a little bit.

Why not do both? You could always take a class or two each semester, and it really wouldn't intrude too much on your time as an IMer. The point is that you do not want to miss out on this time in your life. Trust me!

I got married when I was 17, and eventually let college slip away as I started a family. I never got to have fun and go out with friends, and I can say that I do regret it. I am now 27 and am going to school full time from home, as I raise my four kids, write full time for cash, and try to get started in IM. If I can take some college classes so can you lol.

Also, if you ever have a family and children, wouldn't you like the chance to be able to tell them that you finished college when they ask why they have to go? That is the problem that I faced. When my 8 year old said that he didn't want to go to college when he grew up because I didn't, I knew it was time to finish my degree.

My degree will be in elementary education, and while I may never use it, I will be glad to have it to my name. It is an accomplishment, and quite frankly it gives you more credibility when viewed by outsiders.

In closing, there are so many reasons to pursue a degree, but there are just as many reasons to want to continue with marketing. So, the simple answer in my opinion is to do both, with a focus on IM and part time schooling. Hope this helps, and as always it is only my humble opinion.

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jjpmarketing

15 years ago

College will not consume a lot of time... even going to school full time. If you take 4 classes per semester you are only looking at about 4-5 hours per day. The rest of your time could be spent on IM.

What you can gain from going to college far outweighs any amount of money you can make in IM. The college years are the best. So what if you make 4500 per month in IM. The social experience and the networking opportunities in college are more important.

Besides, what happens if your IM Business model falls apart? With a degree in business and marketing, at least you will have options. Without it, you will have options, but I doubt you will like or enjoy any of them.

On top of all that, it is much, much wiser to continue learning. It does not matter whether you will use the knowledge gained or not. All that matters is that you never stop learning, because the brain is a muscle too. Stop exercising it, and it will get weak. Keep it tone, and you will always be on top of your game, no matter what that game might be.

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Banned 15 years ago

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Jason_V

15 years ago

I'm going to go against the grain of what most people here are saying.

I'm going to tell you that college will always be there. You don't have to feel forced to go right this minute. It's obvious that your heart's not in it right now.

Let me give you insight from where I'm coming from. I wanted to go to college ever since grade school. I was going to make it no matter what. My Freshman year I met a lot of kids who were in the same position as you. They were only there because they felt they *had* to be there. They really had no real desire to be there.

In my dorm wing by the second semester half the kids were gone, because they failed out. My dorm was pretty big, that's a pretty sobering number.

Let me tell you something else, I had a lot of classes with a lot of what is called non-traditional students. These were the people who were older but were in class. These people, for whatever reason, did not go to college right out of high school.

For example some of them had been in the military for a few years, some of them worked a crappy job for a few years, some of them worked professional jobs but wanted the chance to move up in the company they worked for by getting a degree. etc...The one common attribute they all did have, they were driven. They were successful in college. You know why? Because they really wanted to be there. They were older and more mature.

I think if you go just to make your parents happy, as some people are saying, you're going to be setting yourself up for a "slippery slope." You're conceding to them. Even if you do work on your IM while at school, once you graduate, they're still going to expect you to work the job they want you to, etc...Even if you are making $30,000 a month by then. They still won't find what you do legitimate.

I think you need to sit down and talk to them rationally. Explain to them, what I said, that your heart's not in it, and you probably really won't do that well. You do what you do now very well. If what you're doing now, ever does fail, college will always be there. You'll have a greater chance of success should you decide down the road school is right for you.

You're 18, you're an adult. Now is the time for tough decisions. You make quite a bit of money, more than enough to support yourself. You can tell them you love them, and you understand they want what's best for you, but right now your business is what's right for you.

All the freedom and growing up and all that people are talking about, well you can get that by simply getting your own apartment. In fact, that's part of the growing up process in college, because you get to live away from home. I would suggest just to replicate some of the college experience that you find a place with 2-3 other guys around your age to live with. Make sure, of course that you think you'll get along with them.

Everyone here in this forum knows that IM isn't right for everyone. I don't understand why they can't understand that it's the same with college. There are just some people who aren't right for college and college isn't right for them.

Good luck.

P.S. Some of the richest and most successful people in the world don't have a college degree. Bill Gates, Steve Jobs, Michael Dell, Larry King, Ernest Hemingway, John Rockefeller, etc...

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babyjane

15 years ago

4K a month? with a goal of 30K or more a month? There are IM making millions. Why are your parents complaining? Were can you go to college, graduate and earn that kind of money at 18? I understand how going to college will give you alot of experience you can't get at home sitting at a computer, but I say go with your passion. Alot of millionaires out there with no college degree. My advice...go with your passion, make alot of money. Just remember there is more to life than money. Limit yourself to 4-5 hours a day on the computer and have some time for fun. If you want, to take a few college courses to see what its all about. Seems to me you have time for both.

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Francis Ochoco

15 years ago

There are pros and cons to everything. I don't think you will find the perfect answer in this forum.

Some people here say that you should go to college for the social experience and for the partying. But who says that you have to go to college for these experiences? If you don't go to college, heck, you could party whenever when you want, not just on weekends.

If you plan on going to college to learn, well, whats the point of that if you can already learn by researching information online?

If you plan on going to college for your career but still want to focus on IM, I have a feeling you're not even going to want to look for a job after college because IM is where you heart is.

And let's say that one day 10 years from now you want to work in a 9 to 5 job, your college degree may be irrelevant for the fact that its 10 years old and you've gained no experience related to it.

Anyways, you are a unique individual so don't believe me. Keep searching for the answer and listen to what your heart is telling you.

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rhairston

15 years ago

Trenz, do both. There are a lot of people who started their IM business in their dorm room. There is no reason why you can't have the best of both worlds. Beside, the college life is fun.

The choice is yours!

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imoutthere

15 years ago

I think you should do both.

I think you will achieve greater success if you can implement your business education with your IM education. Alot of offline principals are starting to be applied online.

If you understand business structure, economics, marketing, taxing, management and all the other subject you have to take. You will be at a greater advantage then the people who are just doing this from there at home office. You will learn alot of business theories which you will be able to apply to the online marketplace.

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carlos_a

15 years ago

Knowledge is the most powerful tool you can have, Learn as much as you can while you are still young.

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cscarpero 15 years ago

Move to a college town and do IM. Party on the weekends with the college kids.
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- keyaziz 15 years ago
  
  If you don't want to go to college right now don't. Follow your heart. Maybe later in life you might decide that you want to go back to college....then go.
  
  You don't have to do everything in a certain order.
  
  Many people go to college/university and do nothing with their degree - and only learn how to binge drink and destroy their body for a few years.
  
  To be honest from my experience on doing a degree I didn't enjoy it much. I enjoyed some of it. I mean it was a subject of interest to me but most of the time it was about cramming for exams and really the only thing I truly learnt from was the essay writing and case studies. It might be something I use in the future but to be honest, living the simple life is much more appealing to me then stressing about trying to work my way up the ranks in a career.
  
  I love my life. I love education and learn frequently but I don't need a piece of paper to tell me I have achieved something.
  
  Pretty much everyone these days in the UK can get a degree - it doesn't really stand for much IMO and well do a course..most students just drink and party - that lifestyle was never for me, and I never did it at Uni...I just commuted.
  
  Anyway point is..college will be there in a few years or so if you change your mind...
  
  There are many adults in their 30s, 40s, 50s and even 60s who go back...so the way I see it don't sweat it
  
  EDIT: My boyfriend nearly went to Uni but the guy who run the course was a pretentious idiot....it was to do with audio engineering. He learnt about audio engineering himself this past year or so..and he is amazing at it. He now mixes, masters bands for a living and has a little following online for his music because he's that good. He didn't need the degree.
  
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  Ken Strong 15 years ago
  
  This thread is from January, and the OP hasn't been to the forum since March... someone above decided to bump it for some reason.
  
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Habitat

15 years ago

Both MAAAN.

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Habitat

15 years ago

Hey man - I'm a student by day - Internet Marketer By Night - And I'm trying to be a professional soccer player in between - I'm following my dreams..I think I might even take a semester or two off to train harder and travel for some tryouts and combines but who knows.

Follow your dreams while you can - but don't lie to yourself if it's not working out.

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luane

15 years ago

Trenz,

I understand completely how you feel, I think. If I were in your shoes, I would be thinking the same thoughts.

However, I have to tell you that college is much more than just learning "core" subjects and choosing a major that you might never use.

It is an EXPERIENCE where you learn who you are, and what you are made of and your true potential.

Okay, you know you can make a killing online! Great! No reason why you can't still do that. Check out a guy I met online named Ryan Moran (just google him). He is living what you are talking about. He is a college student making boatloads of money and decided to stay in school. He does his videos from his dorm room and college cafeteria and seems very happy to do both.

PM me and I will send you his email to hook up with him.

You can't learn art and music appreciation online the way you can in college.

And your social life? You need to mingle with those your own age to grow and experience life now, before you get tied down with any other kind of responsibilities.

You will have the BEST of both worlds. Think about it.

You won't regret going to college, I don't believe, but you might
regret NOT going.

Hope you choose what is best for you - Kristie

Bachelor of Science in Early Childhood Education
Masters of Law and Society

(now full-time educated marketer with options should
the internet marketing world change one day. )

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Theresa_wahm

15 years ago

If you have the option......I hope you choose BOTH!

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wlcked

15 years ago

I am also 18 years old - las year at school and i have the same problem - everybody expects from to gradude with high grades, to go a nice collage, graduate it, find " real ", because all the people arround me thinks that you can't be succesfull without graduating something, but the truth is that more then 60% of the millionairs in the world have never been to collage!
My dream - start somehow an online business or something like that in the next 4-5 mounths and proove them that they are all wrong - you don't need collage to sucess !
But unfortunatly i am not as good as you making 4k/mounth

( well in my country less then 5% of the population gets such a high sallary :| )
And basicly my opinion is that - do what you want as long as you can live on your own, make more then enought money and with a possibilities of even getting more and over wealth your parents and people who tells you u can't do it and proove them that they are wrong - you are lucky if you can

( i can't :S, but hope dies last

)

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BrianTubbs

15 years ago

My advice to anyone in this situation....

If you can afford college, then do both -- go to college AND build your IM business.

If you canNOT afford college (or it will cause a financial hardship to you and/or your family), then take a year and hit IM really hard (while also perhaps working a day job or temping). Then...assess your situation at the end of that year.

One word of caution....

If (in the back of your mind) you think that you MIGHT one day wish you had gone to college, then.....do what you can to go asap! The longer you wait, the harder it will be.

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melanied

15 years ago

Originally Posted by BrianTubbs

If (in the back of your mind) you think that you MIGHT one day wish you had gone to college, then.....do what you can to go asap! The longer you wait, the harder it will be.

That's good advice, it definitely gets harder the longer you wait. Also, you want to be able to enjoy the social scene with peers in your age group, not be older than 90% of the people there!

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clarissa25

Banned 15 years ago

I think you should definitely go to college, but just keep on doing IM. College is a good back up. A degree will help you in a bad economy, and the contacts you will make from you college network are invaluable. Having a degreju puts you at a higher status in society. That's just they way it is. You can always fall back on a degree just by saying you have one.

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coachjc

15 years ago

Originally Posted by Trenz

Hello Warriors.

Well the question is simple College or IM ?

Lately I have been thinking about it. The thing is that I'm just 18 y.o., doing internet marketing for almost 2 years, and at the moment I am making around 3.5k - 4k/month. The thing is that my parents are really strict, they have their own principles. I'm still in High School, it's my senior year, and my parents are ordering me to go to College, while in the meantime I want to do internet marketing full-time. The worst thing is that they have planned my life already without even me knowing it, they already know what I will do, they have already made contacts where I will work after the college and so on. While I love my parents and respect them, but this time I am completely against them.

It's just that my IM business is about to go to next level. My ultimate goal is to earn 30k/month from IM. I really LOVE it, I haven't had such a passion for anything in my life. I love every single aspect of it. I can talk, think, write about IM 25/8. But then again, I have this feeling that everyone around me has already planned my life for me. Everyone expects that I'll got some fancy education, get a nice office job, get a wife, get some kids, buy a house, pay the loan for the next 30 years, and retire at 65. I have plans to start a family later in my life, but only when I can fully support them with everything.

My parents know how much I make money online, my parents know exactly what I do online to make money, I have showed them every bit of my business to them, yet they still want me to quit it. I'll be honest, my grades aren't that good in school, because I'm obsessed with my business. This means that to get in a nice college I need good grades in High School, to get good grades in high school, I need fully to focus on my studies, which means that I'll lose my business forever. It's really eating me from inside that nobody believes me that I can do it. I am totally surrounded by the "you can't do it" people.

It's really hard, sometimes I just get this idea in my head maybe I should just leave my cell phone on the table and leave without saying anything to anyone. The worse thing is that still my parents think that I am just wasting my time with internet marketing and I should join the holy rat race for life.

I've already told them that it's my life, I will have to live it, and I will have to deal with consequences of my actions. I want to live my own life, my own dreams, I want to reach my own dreams, and live them fully. Too bad that 9 - 5 is not my dream.

Ohhh.... feel so much better now. Sometimes I feel that Warrior Forum somehow is an group therapy, where you can share everything, and it really helps.

All I want to ask - has anyone experienced this ? How to deal with this ?

Sorry for my English, it's just not my mother tongue.

Best regards,

Chris.

I didn't read all of the other comments here so I'll keep this brief.

I did graduate from college...and while I grew as a person during those years...I learned almost nothing about business and had to learn those lessons from the school of hard knocks. (and thankfully a few books...or I guess a few hundred)

I would say:
Follow your own intuition. (and if that tells you do to IM and skip school, just remember to tell your parents you Love them and you're going to be stubborn about this...after all...you could always return to school anytime you want to. ...and also have your parents read a copy of Rich Dad, Poor Dad.)

A GREAT quote to leave this with:
"Never let formal education get in the way of your learning." - Mark Twain

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coachjc

15 years ago

Originally Posted by coachjc

I didn't read all of the other comments here so I'll keep this brief.

I did graduate from college...and while I grew as a person during those years...I learned almost nothing about business and had to learn those lessons from the school of hard knocks. (and thankfully a few books...or I guess a few hundred)

I would say:
Follow your own intuition. (and if that tells you do to IM and skip school, just remember to tell your parents you Love them and you're going to be stubborn about this...after all...you could always return to school anytime you want to. ...and also have your parents read a copy of Rich Dad, Poor Dad.)

A GREAT quote to leave this with:
"Never let formal education get in the way of your learning." - Mark Twain

Okay...so I got sucked in and read more posts and need to add a little bit more....

2 very opposing views:

1) College is a GREAT place to hang w/ your peers and get to really grow socially, mentally, etc. My youngest brother just went through w/ a piano performance degree and he grew IMMENSELY during those 4 years. (both on the piano, and socially/spiritually)

2) I learned this from Brian Tracy...
Of a study done of self-made millionaires....
The ones that did NOT go to college had a much larger net worth compared to the ones that DID go to school. (I think the study was done somewhere around 40 years of age) It turned out that those extra 4 years of a "head start" in their business ventures were really hard to overtake...even for those w/ a college education.

...most importantly - follow your intuition. It's always right...IF you truly listen to it.

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SeanSupplee

15 years ago

Collage first IM after or during. IM is hard to make money in and takes more time then a full time job to be honest and ever after that you still could be left high and dry. A stable job and degree is always awesome to fall back on and you cant go wrong doing so.

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tmssj2002

Banned 15 years ago

[DELETED]

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onlinemoney00

15 years ago

Originally Posted by tmssj2002

I seriously think that you should go college to further your knowledge. We never know what will happen in future..maybe the internet will crash tomorrow. What I am saying is that it's better to be equipped with different sets of skills.

Well, college is another place for your networking as well. You might be able to find fellow webmasters, designers, writers etc to help in your IM business...

That's the way to go dude.!

The internet won't Crash & even if it did, U can be an offline business consultant, cause the telephone & post definitely won't crash

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la dominatrix

15 years ago

For my two pennies worth I am getting a degree now in my fifties because I left university when I was younger because my parents were planning my life and I was having none of it. However my life was fulfilled I had an exremely successful and highly lucrative business whilst still in my teens. I have always found making money easy.

However there is more to college than book learning, it is a rounding off off your education it builds business and socail contacts that last a life time. I would definately say do both and lose a little sleep each night. There are pros and cons to all actions and just stick it up the flag pole and see if anyone salutes it. You can outsource part of your coursework and or parts of your business if need be. The benefits of an education are the fact that you learn to think out of the box. Do whatever you need to do to avoid a conflict if you can.

My education at the moment is costing me over $20,000 a year every year and that is for something I could have had a lot cheaper thirty years ago.

However there is more to life than fulfilling either your parents hopes or your own life and you will have to at some point choose and that choice will be painful and difficult it will very very likely have long term consequences that you may not even realise for ten years. the best I vcna say to that is that you are young with passion and energy and try and put that choice off as long as possible.

I understand your frustration but also understand your parents are looking after your interests in the way that they think is best, they are not doing this to spite you or make it difficult for you. They are doing what they believe is best even though they may be misguided.

There will be repercussions whatever your choice accept that fact. Good luck in whatever your choice is I have a funny feeling that neither course will matter ultimately, you will succeeed at whatever you set your hand at. No one can tell you what to do you must decide for yourself and that choice is subjective, it includes taking into account your values your beliefs and your core identity, your cultural heritage and lots of ther things besides.All of these are subjective.

All the best
la dominatrix

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onlinemoney00

15 years ago

There's nothing special about college, its just that we have been conditioned & programmed that '' You have to go to college''

I am not necessarily saying it's a bad thing, however do what your heart tells you to do, I know many people will tell you to combine both

Tiger Woods dont combine Golf with baseball
Bill Gates certainly didn't combine building microsoft with College

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pheonix44 15 years ago

I read this thread and I want to give my opinion. If you want to go to college I suggest going only for the experience. You are learning specialized skills now that will make you money. The only reason I would suggest going to college is for credibility purposes. People seem to believe that no matter what you do if you do not have that piece of paper you are not the real deal. But if you look at the most wealthiest people in the world most of them do not have college degrees. Including Bill Gates, Henry Ford, and Donald Trump. But they do have several people working for them that do.

It takes balls to go against the crowd and be told how weird you are, because most of society is very status oriented and it is all about being able to brag that you are more validated then the next person. If this is for you then pursue it and don't look back. You can still go to school, but go for highly specialized skills that will increase the income you are making now. For instance if you write articles to market then get a degree in creative writing. If you are good at marketing then get a degree in marketing. There are schools that even offer degrees in internet marketing now.

The point I am trying to make is that if you feel going to college will increase your skills or add to your networking profile then go for it. College is an experience, but that experience can cost well over 100.000$

If you go make sure you get a degree you can turn into cash. Just my two sense.
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Shana_Adam

15 years ago

Hi Chris,

Money is not everything! College is an experience that many people would give anything to have had a chance to experience.

You have many options available to you!

Take a gap year - go traveling explore the world
go to college part time?
Do a subject that you are passionate about

Someday you may regret not going to college and feel like you missed out. Your parents pushing you into what they want will never ever work. I tried chemistry and failed miserably.

Talk to your parents - now that you are a semi -adult. Communication is very important if you don't explain to them how you feel and what you want - how will they know? They are not psychic

It seems that they jut want the best for you.

Here is what I would do seeing that money is no issue. I would look into a course that really interests me and go for that part time.

I would explain to my parents if they push me to do something - I wont be blackmailed and bullied its my life. Dont my parents want my happiness - if they don't then why should I listen to what they want??

Seeing that your young just be open talk to them what the worst that can happen?

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Wasim

15 years ago

I would say it's more of a personal choice in terms of where you think your life is heading. I applied for a digital design degree after teaching myself graphics while I worked in a dead end factory job. I volunteered for my redundancy when it came along and graduated in 2008 with a degree in digital design. After all those years of working I didn't think I had the brains for anything like that ever again but all it takes is dedication and the desire to do it.

So here's my point. If your desire right NOW is IM, then do it. There's no better or worse time to attend college and if anyoine tells you, you wont be able to do college with other responsibilites, it's not true at all. It's only a few years out of your life if you DO decide to do it. I'm married I have one daughter and I managed my degree around them. Yes it was hard work but anything is hard work when you want to be good at something.

My advice is that you should carry on doing your IM because majority of people do not find their true passion at 18 and the fact that you HAVE, is a very good creative sign to continue.

I would also say that going to college is a brilliant experience and who knows what other ideas of products will arise through meeting different types of people?!?!

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cgallagher93

15 years ago

Hey,

I was in the same position as you just a couple of months ago.

I'm 16 and have just left high school here in the UK. With much time mulling it over, I went for IM.

I've never looked back since and it's starting to work out for me. However, it's wise to have something to fall back on. Personally, online is definetely the way I'm going to go. But for you it might not be the same.

Talk it over with your family and more importantly only you can decide at the end of the day. Do what you think is right and what FEELS right.

Best of luck whatever you do...

All the best,

Connor

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Christie Love

15 years ago

If I were you, I would do both. Get your education, it's one thing no one can ever take away from you. And, work on IM. You could even go to school, get a job and work on IM. That's the joys of working on the computer. Besides, a lot of schools offer classes online, so you'll never have to worry about your instructor catching you doing "other things" while attending courses.

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Mr Money Maker

15 years ago

Hi, go to college and enjoy the college life....then worry about getting rich....there's much more to life than making money !!

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kimothy777

15 years ago

Do what your heart tells you to do. Don't ever let anyone plan out your life for you. I was married for 15 years to an abusive, controlling man. I finally realised that I wanted my life back so I escaped with my kids. That's when I became interested in IM.

I was in the middle of a teaching degree, a single mom with four children and I made the decision that I could do what I thought others wanted me to do (get a degree), or I could follow my passion (IM). I deferred from my degree and went full time into IM.

My family didn't understand me but now I am living the life that I have chosen. Mate, if you are already making 3.5K a month, you are laughing. Wanna mentor me? You will never be truly happy doing what others expect of you.

BTW, great Internet Marketers will double their income every year at the least so you are on your way to a fantastic future. You have so much potential and you do not want to deviate to please others. The internet is here to stay and people will always spend money on the net. Don't do the degree thing, PLEASE!!!!

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sunsoftsystem

15 years ago

Try to do both of them

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CDawson

Banned 15 years ago

I go to college full time while going to school full time and taking care of a wife in the hospital as well as trying to create an article writing business. If my lazy arse can do all this then I am sure you will have no problem staying in touch with your IM career as well as advancing through college.

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Creative Thinker

15 years ago

life is not just about money. where will you get a nice girl friend(s) and nice friends if you stay @ home and do im?

grow up man

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MoneyPlus

15 years ago

Bill Gates dropped out of college to pursue his passion.
Steven Jobs started his company while he was in college selling from his dorm.

To quote you... " It's really eating me from inside that nobody believes me
that I can do it. I am totally surrounded by the "you can't do it" people."

Don't listen to them.

If you are already making good money, move out and get your own place.
Pursue your passion. Many people live their whole life without ever figuring
out what their passion is. "They die with their music still in them" as the
famous saying goes.

You're lucky to have found something you're passionate about and are good
at so early in life. DON'T listen to the naysayers. Do Your Thing!

You have a couple options available to you. You can go to college (perhaps a
community college) and pursue your internet business. You can do both.

You can also follow your heart, get rich, and then go back to college later.
Whatever you do, don't give up your internet business.

I wish I had the same problem as you.

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Jenb

15 years ago

Go to college, they are years you can't get back. It's about so much more than money, how will you feel if you don't go and in 5 years, when others have degrees, you don't! When you have kids someday, would you want them to go?

You may not need it for money, there is just something about the discipline that goes with earning a degree.....don't give up the chance.

You will never regret it!

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CDarklock

15 years ago

Originally Posted by Trenz

I'm still in High School, it's my senior year, and my parents are ordering me to go to College, while in the meantime I want to do internet marketing full-time.

Go to college. It doesn't matter your major; the core courses are the important part. Make DAMN SURE that one of your first courses is ECON 101. Trust me on this - if you study and grasp economics, you are a giant among dwarves in the business world, whether corporate or otherwise. It's almost like having a superpower.

Keep doing your IM stuff. Don't quit; just tone it down enough to make room for school. Make sure you do a good job in school, get good grades, meet people, have fun.

Once you graduate, do yourself a favour and get a day job for a while. You won't need the money by then, with your IM going the way it is, but try to spend three to five years working a "real" job - just so you understand where your customers are coming from.

In your mid-twenties, go to your parents and tell them what you're going to do. I think we both know you're going to go back to IM, but give it a solid chance. There's a lot you learn in college, and in business, that IM won't teach you... and you honestly do need to know it.

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JohnMcCabe

15 years ago

Originally Posted by MoneyPlus

You can also follow your heart, get rich, and then go back to college later. Whatever you do, don't give up your internet business.

I wish I had the same problem as you.

I have the perspective of having followed both paths - I went to college right after high school, and later went back for my engineering degree as an older student. I was about 10-12 years older than most of my classmates.

The experience is not the same. Trust me.

The difference in life experience between the average 18 year old and 28 year old is large - even though you share classes, you don't live in the same world.

If you've seen Meredith Willson's "The Music Man", you'll recall a scene where Marian the Librarian agrees to meet Harold Hill at the footbridge in the park. As soon as she says it, she gets cold feet and tries to tell him she'll meet him 'tomorrow'.

"Miss Marian, pile up enough tomorrows and all you'll have left is a lot of empty yesterdays..."

Think hard before you start piling up 'tomorrows"...

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vagabondette

15 years ago

You have to do what's right for you and only you can decide what that is. It was assumed by my family that I'd go to Uni and I tried - several times - but it just wasn't for me. I just don't learn well or function well in that type of environment.

You make more than enough to support yourself so if your parents are trying to force you into a life you don't want then I'd suggest moving out. Make it clear that while you love them and respect them, you love yourself more and you have to live a life you're comfortable with.

I'd suggest not just walking out but discussing it with them first. Hopefully they'll respect you enough to support you even if they don't agree with you but sometimes you just have to move forward without the support.

If you do decide to go the 'no college' route I'd suggest getting involved in something else that has a social aspect whether it's volunteering or working a PT job or whatever. Working for and by yourself can be very socially isolating which can be depressing. Making sure that you are engaging with people IRL will help keep you grounded.

I used to work part time at a book store. It was only $8.50/hour so the pay was crap but I was there for the social interaction and that was priceless. In my experience, the older you get the harder it is to meet people, particularly if you're living a non-traditional lifestyle. So keep that on your radar as something you want to focus on.

Whatever you decide, I wish you good luck!

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vagabondette

15 years ago

This is a bit OT but since a few people have been raving about the book Rich Dad Poor Dad I have to toss in my $.02. Don't rely too heavily on RK and this book because he admitted that he lied and committed fraud by doing what the book talks about. Take everything he says with a grain of salt.

Sorry but this is a touchy thing for me. One of the best things about working at that book store was being able to talk people out of buying that load of crap and when I hear people still talking about how great it is the financial planner in my cringes.

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