my 2 cents:

finish the course, its a skill. Although that i don't know what they're teaching you there but it could be useful later.

You are earning around 800+ permonth which is great. If you end up working 9-5 you will still be paid and you can make more money by scaling it up from the salary you get to your IM.

For me, I will only quit my job if I can get around USD10K permonth that is around MYR30K. Coming from all sorts of sources of income.

Plus when you work, you can build network out of friends at work (not mlm, just network of friends)

I think that's all.

- Something is wrong with my English today. Getting worse in English. pff

Follow your deepest personal truth. Go inside and ask yourself "what do I want?", "what do *I* want?" and do that. Never sacrifice your truth for the sake of making other people comfortable, your parents included. This is your life, brother.

You MUST go college and complete the degree. Next, you can decide that whether is it 9-5 job or Internet marketing. If you're not happy with the course what you're doing right now, follow another degree course. How important the education is?

I will not tell you what to do because you are a grown man but I will advice you to stay in college and finish what you started. If you quit now what else will you quit later in life because when you quit once it becomes easier and easier in life.

It will be something to fall back on if ever needed and in an industry that is growing. You can still grow your online business on the side successfully like many of us have.

$800 a month seems good now but honestly it is nothing when you go out in the real world and want to drive a nice car, have a nice house in a good neighborhood, have a family, travel , eat out and pay your bills as well as have some left for investing.

You are a young man who should have the energy and will to bust your ass in school and bust your ass building a successful online business on the side with no problem.

Don't get me wrong if during your business online you come up with a breakthrough and are the next Mark Zuckerberg then of course quitting school wouldn't be such a horrible idea lol, but until then continue because 3 yrs is nothing compared to the long life ahead of you.

Good luck bud,

Gengis

The truth is that there are only a handful of careers that you can go into a pretty much know that will be financially stable as an employee. All the rest of them leave you poor, broke, and busted. Most people just work as employees because that's what they've been taught to do and live with the expectation they will struggle until they die. With that said, it also depends on what you plan to do with your degree.

Some people get degrees in certain fields because they know that they will eventually use said knowledge in said industry when open their own businesses. For example, a registered nurse can make decent money with just an Associate's degree, but he/she will make a lot more if he/she gets an advanced degree and goes into private practice.

One thing I have noticed is that lots of "artsy" people don't seem to the struggle that a lot of others do. Many of them just seem to know what they want to do and pursue the heck out of it until they reach their goals. Even nowadays, though, lots of them get degrees in their area of study so they can teach as a backup and/or while pursuing their goals.

Good luck,
Joey

I know exactly how tempting it is to follow your dreams and forget reality. Been there, done that. Multiple times.

I dropped out of the 4th year of my computing degree to take a fantastic job with loads of money, and then went back with my tail between my legs to finish it once everything went pear shaped in the dotcom crash.

Now I'm all (partly) grown up and have a family and I'm in a certain place in the world for their sake, where it just so happens that it's almost impossible to be here without a degree certificate. So 12 years later I'm very glad I went back and finished my studies.

So my sincere advice to you is complete your college degree and then do whatever you want - you don't have to jump straight into a job. I actually started a business during my final year at college and went on to run it full-time for the next 6 years.

Just finish the thing and keep your options open. Your 35 year old self will be very pleased you did.

Hamza

Just go with with you mom told, you should make her a proud a little.. for IM you don't need to put all your time, maybe 1-2 hour are enogh.. there is many way or tool to automate or outsource your job.. Maybe read 4 hour workweek can enlight you a little before you make a decision


.

Who says you have to do a 9-5 job with your degree - you could combine your computing & IM skills and setup some really cool offline businesses of your own?

If you ditch the degree now, you remove a choice that you have. Finish the degree, enjoy the income you have now, when you graduate, travel & think but above all, try things out.

That doesn't matter, anyway: with rare exceptions, education isn't about using the specific "things you learn".

It's about what's left with you after all that detail has been forgotten.

My opinion on this subject is often in a minority in the Warrior Forum, where the small, self-selected group who discuss "education" inevitably includes a preponderance of people who take an entirely different view of "formal, academic education" from mine; they typically think of higher education broadly in terms of its income potential, whereas I think of it in terms of developing the judgement, learning-skills and analytical skills necessary to apply to new and different and unrelated situations. For "running a business", those are invaluable skills.

I'm probably significantly undereducated, for internet marketing and especially for its technical aspects, compared with many people here than whom I'm actually far more successful. But I don't think that matters at all: the reality is that for me, being highly educated in the formal, academic sense has helped me enormously and is far more important, in my opinion. Once you're trained to develop the judgement, learning-skills and analytical skills necessary to apply to new and different and unrelated situations, most of the other, practical stuff you really need is relatively easily picked up.

I think people who complete their college education are (for many reasons, some obvious and some very far from obvious) overwhelmingly more likely to be successful.

This has been reliably proven, over and over again, for over 100 years now, in the countries in which statistical records are kept (and that's a lot of countries). It's simply incontrovertible fact.

It's true however often rare, exceptional, anecdotal evidence like that of Mr. Gates and Mr. Zuckerberg is mentioned in such conversations.

I think it's very easy significantly to underestimate the extent to which education (of various kinds) is beneficial to "being a successful internet marketer". I also think, overall, that in spite of the undeniable reality that some entirely uneducated people have become very successful through internet marketing, one typically hears far more about the rare exceptions than about the norms: everyone's quick to tell you that Bill Gates and Mark Zuckerberg aren't college graduates, but they're often a little less enthusiastic about hearing that they were both people with impeccable academic credentials who had no trouble getting into Harvard in the first place, and they both attribute their own success, in large part, to that fact and partly to being lucky enough to have been in the right place at the right time.

Those possibilities are not running away.

Yes.

Don't drop out of college.

There's no real long-term advantage to doing that, and you know it, really.

Switch degree courses if you really can't stand the one you're doing. In the long run it doesn't normally matter much exactly what you study and exactly what degree you get. It's completing one that matters.

The Myth of the Successful College Dropout: Why It Could Make Millions of Young Americans Poorer - Robert J. Zimmer - The Atlantic

I went to college and got a 4 year degree in marketing and management but I didn't go for the doors the degree would open for me, I went because I wanted the college experience.

I knew I was going to own my business after I graduated but I thoroughly enjoyed every minute I was there so I waited until I graduated to start my first business (which I actually started with someone who I met while I was in school).

If you really aren't enjoying it I would say stop going now and save yourself (or whoever is paying for it) some money. Just make sure that $800 goes up In a big way real fast because I'm sure your parents don't want you living at home with no real income.

Good luck with whatever path you choose.
-Anton

Oh, you mean you hate work? Because what you just said was what work basically is - even if you're working for yourself. 9-5? It's 6:40 am and I never went to bed last night. Being told what to do? I'm about to develop split personality because of the 1 part of my brain that forces, tricks, motivates the other side that's lazy/faking it.

"another sheep in the heard" - You mean another human working hard to make a means of living.
Moooooo.


If you really dislike it that much, then knock off for a semester. Devote all your time to the area of IM you want, and see if it works for you. When it doesn't, go back to school. I would LOVE to have a BS in Computer Science right now.

It's amazing how many times this question comes up.
And most times the answers are split down the middle, those who say stay in college
and those who say leave college because you don't need a degree to make it...

The unemployment rate for high school grads is double that of college grads, college grads are also payed more on average and their chances of advancement is much better.

My neighbor who has been working for Ikea for 12 years was told recently that she has basically reached her limit as far as advancement in the company because she did not finish college. She told me yesterday that she has decided to complete her diploma, although now it's more difficult as she has to work and run the household while attending classes.

Now there are people who will say, "follow your dreams", "drop out and do what makes you happy", "you don't need a degree to be successful"...
Well all that does not pay the bills, there are very successful college dropouts but they are few and far between, and yeah you could make it in IM but then you would have to be in the top few percent...

Anyway, ultimately it's your decision...

I say stick with college. Can you switch courses to something you'd like better? You only have one year in so far, so perhaps a change of direction is possible. My son got a degree in biz marketing at college and it was the best thing he ever did for himself, at least so far. $800. a month wont pay rent once you move out on your own, so you need that education in order to make more money. Short term pain for long term gain.

Alexa pretty much said it all. You don't want to be stuck behind a desk from 9-5, etc. Well, what if you really loved your work? Loved it so much each day flew by? That is possible. It's just that most people are not in that category. But there's no rule saying you have to be.

The important thing, most critical, is to develop your mind. When you do that, then the entire world becomes more accessible. You will make better decisions in business and other areas of life. And you'll develop your mind best at a university for the most part.

You alluded to the course work being hard. Good. That means you are being pushed and forced to use your brain. Choosing the easy way with no effort is lazy and ultimately puts you at a disadvantage. Embrace the challenges with confidence knowing you can do anything.

If you get a computer science degree, invent something and build a business. Continue with IM and affiliate marketing while in school. More work, sure. But so what?

Learn robotics and artificial intelligence because it's the future. It's also now, but it's wide open for many decades to come.

If you hate computer science, change your major interest of study. Do some soul searching.

Ken

I say stick with college, but then again my opinions are a little biased.

In our home, we have a rule: get the college degree first and then you can do whatever you want for your life career. This rule has brought up many silly 'what if' questions from our kids like, "What if I want to join the Army..." or "What if I want to go be a clown?" By the way - the clown question was one of my personal favorites

Our answer is still the same. Get the education first and then you can do whatever you want. I hope this helps!

I totally feel your pain! It's especially more difficult when you have success and are making $800 per month! Yes you would probably be able to make more if you had all the free time to focus on your business. I speak from experience. I was working in corporate america and my internet business surpassed my full time job income and I was only it doing it part-time. When I finally left, I tripled my online income.

Now with that said, I wouldn't encourage you to jump ship. In college you'll learn some skills you can probably use in your online marketing career that can help you make more money. You may also end up meeting up with some other great people that can become partners or lead to connections you would have never made outside of college.

And although having a degree doesn't have the same advantage it use to, it's better to have it just in case you need to "do some time" in the workforce. So just suck it up for the reasons I mentioned above. Soon enough you'll be out and can proceed with your plan to take over the world!

The problem here is your perception of what it means to be in college.

As Alexa said, there's much more to college than simply getting a piece of paper. It's a learning experience.

Even in your IM career ,there are probably going to be things that you don't want to do that you still have to do.

To me, having a degree can only help. Even if it's not something that you want to pursue, it gives you an option in case your business goes pear shaped.

ALWAYS have a plan B. You will be FAR more likely to get a job with a Computer Science degree if you need to than without one

Dizzle,

My personal opinion for what it's worth . . . (isn't that what you're asking for?)

Finish college. Work hard to immerse yourself in learning for your next three years. The time will fly by and you'll be done before you know it!

I have a college roommate that hated his freshman year. He decided to quit and take a job locally for a pretty good salary at the time. I was kind of jealous at the time - he had money, no "all nighters" studying, and seemed to be happy.

We kept in touch over the years and it slowly became evident to me that he was kind of "topped out" at where he could expect to go in his career. He confided several times that he sort of short changed his career when he dropped out of school.

Dizzle, I will tell you that Internet marketing is no different. It can also be mentally draining at times! It can also be feast or famine if you don't work hard to create a steady income for yourself.

Yes, that's what my experience was as well. But you know what? It doesn't matter in the least that the facts and figures change. The important thing is what your college education will help you become as an individual. If you apply yourself, you will learn many of life's most important lessons while in college. You'll learn how to study, how to research, how to write, how to work in groups, how to manage your time, how to prepare for events and tests and difficult situations. It will teach you how to be more disciplined, more observant, more dedicated, how to be a self starter and a finisher. I could go on and on.

Of course you can learn these same traits on your own - but most don't bother to give themselves the kind of education that college "forces" on you in a short period of time.

Think about what you're saying. There's a much greater chance this will happen if you don't finish college than if you stick with it!

What if your Internet marketing career doesn't take off? What if you hit a plateau or a ceiling and decide that Internet marketing is not what you really want or enjoy doing full time? What if you don't end up making much more than the $800/month you're now earning?

Is there anyone that loves you more or wants the very best for you in life more than your parents? No. Believe me, they are trying to help you and steer you in the very best direction that they know. They are giving you the very best advice they can. It's good that you recognize that you feel some obligation to your parents. Trust them on this. Understand that your college education will be a blessing to them, and also more importantly, to YOU!

You are certainly right. But you know what? It is no different with a college education under your belt. You can still do whatever you want after college, including Internet marketing. The difference is this: with a college education a lot of doors will be opened for you that won't be if you have no degree. It's a safety net, or sorts; but of course, a college education is so much more valuable to you as a person for what it will help you become.

Dizzle, this is where you are wrong - totally wrong!

You must get beyond your own destructive thinking here. Four years of college "for a piece of paper" could not be further from the truth. If you think that's all the benefit you will have received from getting a college education you need to step back and give yourself a reality check.

Reread Alexa's post above. The piece of paper, though it will certainly help you to get a foot in the door in certain instances, is not what four years of hard work is all about. It's only evidence that you have completed four of the most important years of your life.

I hope you will seriously consider this most important choice. And I really believe that if you look at college as a life changing opportunity to get ahead rather than a temporary boring struggle that is holding you back, it will become a more important priority for your personal development.

The very best to you,

Steve

Everyone has said their piece, I'll say mine as a college drop-out.

Like you, I never really wanted to go to college, however my parents did. They said give it a shot, and IF after trying I didn't like it (for whatever reason) they would support my decision.

So, I gave it a year - didn't enjoy it BUT I didn't quit.

I switched courses, you know - just incase it was the subject I didn't like, not "college" itself.

Well, same thing happened.

I sat down and really thought hard and long about my decision.

I came to the conclusion that I just didn't "enjoy" the "academic" side of things etc etc so I decided to start internet marketing.

Luckily, I was already doing IM throughout the "journey", however I wasn't making anywhere near the amount I needed to live on, so I stepped things up.

Now when I look back, I think I made the correct decision.

If you don't want to take the "traditional" route, thats fine BUT that means you have to think outside the box.

For example, I don't envision me doing Internet marketing FOREVER. Why? Too many variables to take into consideration.

So, you gotta start thinking smart and investing wisely.

I would recommend property.

I knew someone who never went to college and was making a decent income with property (so much so that they retired at 30) - So I took them on as a "mentor".

He told me the basics, how to scale things up etc.

So now, I'm starting to invest into the property game to create a nice retirement.

See, you get yourself about 10 properties (which is done following the 5-7 year plan). Once this is done, you've got a income that you can live off.

Plus, in another 5 - 15 years when you come to retire, you've got 10 properties that you can sell (rent pays for the mortgages etc).

So that's my plan as someone who never completed college and took on IM full time.

I suggest that if your going to quit, you come up with a solid plan (and exit strategy) before you take the plunge.

Also money management is key. Keep a good amount of everything you earn as a "nest egg" - you never know.

Good luck.

You will certainly get a variety of different responses and, ultimately, it's your decision. None of the responses you get are wrong or bad, as we all have our own personality, own way of working and own motivations.

I was much like you when I was a little younger and dreaded college. I quit and it took me years to find the skills I now have. I ended up going back and getting an associaites degree and another degree in golf course management (at least it was something I love). My only goal with college was as a back up plan or as a little insurance. I figured it would at least get my foot in the door at a golf course if I was ever desperate and needed a JOB (Just Over Broke).

My advice to you, stay in school as you build up your affiliate marketing/internet marketing business. Skills in computer science are marketable and you don't have to take a 9 to 5 job. You can use your skills to freelance after college and build your affiliate marketing/internet marketing even more with the freedom you're looking for.

I agree, becoming just another sheep in the herd doesn't sound like much fun. However, the degree will also open future doors, if necessary. With a bachelors degree, you can always go onto a masters program in something else if you decide you hate what you're doing or feel called to do something else.

I don't know if you're religious, but if you are, I would also advice that you pray about it. If nothing else, it will help clear your mind and help you make a better decision.

I wish you all the success in the world!

Benjamin Ehinger

Do what your Mother says. Mother knows best.

College education is not perfect, especially in this fast pace world,
but education gives you OPTIONS. You can be an affiliate
marketer with or without a college degree, but you can't be
a lot of things without one.

I have 3 college degrees and I don't use them presently, but if the
Warrior forum decides to close there are other doors that my
degrees will open for me.

When you are young and making "easy money" it is tempting to
close the books, but later on you may regret it--like when you
are old like me.

-Ray Edwards

Hey Diizzle

My opinion is college is kinda a waste of time (except to get girls, and for me to wrestle), but I was in the same boat as you. My mom would have always thought I was a failure if I hand't gotten my degree... So, I got mine, and while it hasn't helped me too much, it could be a good backup plan, just in case.

That being said.. if you're taking out student loans (which BTW don't go away even in bankruptcy), I'd probably think twice about going.. I had a wrestling scholarship that paid for my school.

Anyway, here are 2 videos that I LOVE about education vs school.

Why I Hate School But Love Education||Spoken Word - YouTube
I Will Not Let An Exam Result Decide My Fate||Spoken Word - YouTube
Anyway - good luck on your choice... either way, keep moving forward on your business...

Thanks
Russell Brunson

4 years? Is it not possible to speed up your studies?

I have a VQ in Business Information Technology and a FQ in Audio Visual Editing. The former took me 3 years in school and it was basically full of stuff I was already familiar with. The latter took me two years with an apprenticeship contract which is actually a great choice as you get paid a salary while earning a degree. I would not hesitate going for a degree in marketing if I could do it with my own business, but it's currently not in my plans.

For all I know, both of those qualifications required me to attend a lot of utterly boring and useless "courses" that I would personally consider worthless. However, many others do not think the same way. At least now I have something to back me up just in case that proves I'm not a "quitter". After graduating, the apprenticeship contract provided me with a stable long term full time job to fund my IM projects.

I'd say finish what you've started and then do what you want. There's still plenty of time in the future.

Hi dizzle,

Hang in there with me for a moment while I relate a story - a true story.

When I was in my first year of high school, I became friends with 4 other fellows. This happened a looooong time ago - 1962.

As such I have had about 50 years to observe what has happened to those friends over the years, and I think their experiences can be enlightening. Yes, we have stayed in touch. We are each 65 years old now.

Fellow #1 went on after high school to attend college for 1 year, quit to take a job, then started his own business on the side. Within a few years he quit the "job" and has been self-employed ever since. He has been quite successful.

Fellow #2 took a job right after finishing high school, did not attend college, started his own business, and also has been quite successful.

Fellow #3 continued through college, then on to earn a master's degree in economics. He has filed for bankruptcy protection more than once, and has almost nothing put away for retirement.

Fellow #4 finished college, then graduate school where he received a master's degree in international finance. He too has been bankrupt a couple times, and is thinking about filing for protection again. He has nothing put away for retirement, works as a server in restaurants, and has a difficult time keeping a job because of his temper.

I am fellow #5. When I was in high school I became interested in being self-employed, and set up a couple businesses. When I was age 17 and 18, there were some weeks where I brought in as much money working for myself as my father brought home from his job as an architectural engineer.

Yes, I completed an undergraduate degree, but afterward simply kept doing what I had been doing for income while I started another business. I have been quite successful.

So, from these observations, I see success - financial success - has to do with what you do, what actions you take, and whether or not you become self-employed. Of course that presumes you have some business sense and knowledge.

Important - the purpose of going through college is for you to learn how to learn on your own. The single best knowledge you will receive from college is how to always continue learning. Never stop learning. Then apply what you learn, and do so in your own business.

In hindsight one mistake I made in college was in not taking any business courses. Doing so could have brought higher success more quickly.

Change your major. Get into something you like, and take some basic business courses. Then be your own boss the rest of your life. It's a good life.

:-Don

If you've ever read the book "Rich Dad, Poor Dad" by millionaire Robert Kiyosaki....

You'll learn quickly that Poor Dad tells you to go to collage and get a good job
-while Rich Dad says learn how money works & have money working for you.

I've been in your shoes my friend, with my family telling me to go to collage & I went -for 2 years majoring in Electrical Engineering while working with Electrical Engineers (who I would be taking their place after I've graduated). However, realizing going this route -I would be getting paid a fixed income for the rest of my life, under the thumb of the "Boss", and being surround by dis-empowered people daily.

Not the lifestyle I had in mind- I started searching for an opportunity to create a lifestyle I designed. I found an internet marketing program. Started learning how internet marketing works -and fell in love. I received mentorship from Internet/Affiliate Marketing millionaires Kevin & Darin Blue, also from personal development coach Jeffery Combs. Looking back now "that decision" has completely changed my life.

Now~ I'm "The Boss" & I'm putting in full-time hours only because I absolutely love what I'm doing. I'm earning a full-time income from home & also when traveling on the go. Entrepreneurship is what should have been taught in schools. I get up every morning ready to improve my skill-sets & level up. Just like when I was 12 years old working on a new video game and loving it!

My recommendation is to "Follow Your Bliss" or "Follow Your Gut Feeling"

Doesn't matter what everyone else thinks. As long as you feel good about it.

If your truly serious about creating a lifestyle you designed, you wont be denied, you'll always find a way.

I think you should consider it the same way you would consider it if you were already working 9-5. Even though you aren't earning money from it right now, it's work for you.

You wouldn't (or shouldn't) quit a job until you are earning more online than you were at the job. so ask yourself what is the minimum you would want to / need to earn monthly from a job - then multiply that by 1.5, then quit school when you are consistently making that much for several months (enough time to be sure your methods won't stop producing.)

Just be responsible with your future before you go making drastic changes.

dizzle,
I hope you have taken the time to read all the posts. The amount of knowledge you should gather from here is overwhelming. All is sound. As for me what was said by seem to carry a lot of weight with the examples he has used.

I did not attend college and was never incouraged to do so. Lucky for my children (three of which hold degrees) they decided to continue their education. I'm very proud of them.

One of my sons droped out of college to persue a night club management position with high pay. He had always wanted to be in business for himself and I was quit suprised when he made this move. Only by sheer luck did he land a position in which the owner really steped up and put my son along with a partner in a business of their own.
He is very happy with what he is doing but has addmitted to a struggle with the business due to a lack of education. That being said I would conclude that your education will only help you no matter what you decide to do. You may need to take a break. I would place a great deal of importance on Business Management.

Good luck to you

Yeah, and that was just a movie... I know of no circumstances where that happened.

Wow, what a downer...

How about we go in a positive direction..

Diizzle - $800, that's awesome, do whatever makes U feel good...

A degree is always nice to have if you feel you can do both, maybe you want switch majors possibly... if not just go to IM..

I went to school, like you, and graduated from my program in 2010. I took Architecture and Construction Engineering. I went out into the work force and found out a few things.

1. I didn't like working for people at all.
2. After I graduated, I sorta didn't enjoy the program I took. It was great in the first 3 years, but by year four, I had enough and wasn't interested in it.
3. I've always been interested in entrepreneurship and deep down, knew that was my path.

I feel your pain with it but keep doing what you're doing. Still continue to do your Affiliate stuff and then when you finish, you'll have that degree. In my case, I have a business, but I've also created a side business based on what I took in school ... so it didn't ALL go to waste.

If you could do something with Computer Science and create your own side business from that, go for it, but if you're making money as well right now, don't stop doing that.

FWIW, I believe that only those who want to go to college should go. College doesn't guarantee a good high paying job. If fact, right now high school graduates going into skilled labor type of jobs are actually finding jobs easier and making more money than college graduates.

Having said the above, if you think that you want to work in internet marketing in some way and your parents want you to stay in college, why not change your major to business/marketing and take classes that you feel will help you in that area? Use college to learn the knowledge and develop the skills that will help you get to where you want to be.

Good luck!

Finish!! Why? Because then you will always have a safety net to fall into if sh*t hits the fan.

Take it from a former Computer Network Technician. Finish school. The time that you spend chasing girls after class and making out... focus on affiliate marketing THEN. But of course make sure you do your homework first. While $800 a month isn't anything to sneeze at.... i still think you should finish school in the field that you're in now. With a computer science degree.... i doubt that you will have a boss watching your every move and hovering over you all the time. They might just give you the keys to the kingdom, go back into their office, and expect you to get the job done everyday. Well... at least that's how it was for me. Take my advice man. A computer science related job + affiliate marketing income? You'll be buying homes in Beverly Hills in no time. Good luck though man no matter what you choose.

Get your college degree as it will give you an insurance in life. IM isn't stable, your income can vary from months to months. Why not get a job in your field and work on IM on nights and weekends?

I agree with the Alexa contingent - stay in school. While I'm not as old or as wise as Don, I am over 50, and here's my story:

I am a high school drop out, made it as far as the 10 th grade before leaving to become a janitor. For five years I swept floors and cleaned toilets for minimum wage. At 23 I decided I'd had enough and started working my way through college. My first year out of college with my computer science degree I earned more money in that year than I had earned in my entire life.

I learned a lot, but not just In my profession. I learned how to learn, how to manage my time for both work AND fun, and how to deal with people.

That's probably one of the biggest things I learned how to network, meet with people and deal with them. To do that I didn't just take classes, I participated in a varity of things outside of class, like the theatre, the student entertainment organization(I was the film clubs chair for a while and got to set what films we showed on campus, with some oversite from campus groups and the Man aka the administration, who did veto my spring film Double feature of the last temptation of Christ and Monty pythons life of Brian. )

Get out and meet people, I got to meet a lot of great folks, and a few not so great ones as well.

My final tip is remember your teachers are people too, interact with them. Make sure they know your name, and hopefully in a good way and not from say setting off fireworks during the chancellors commencement speech ( I have no idea who would do something like that :-). I've stayed in touch with several of my teachers over the years and they have been great mentors and friends. Don't be afraid of them, some have an attitude, but most are there to teach and help out.

Good luck, and enjoy the ride!

Best,
Jack

From what I've seen and heard...a BS, not BA degree in CS is actually very useful wen it comes to starting a tech company, or seeking employment within a tech company.

I have a degree in Communications and a degree in Philosophy. I have mixed feelings about whether or not it was a smart idea to go to college since I always knew that I would be an entrepreneur. On the one hand, I did learn some things, met some cool people, and get treated more like an adult now with that damned piece of paper. But on the other hand, it was a considerable investment of money and time. I value my time as much as I value my money, so that was 5 years that I sometimes wonder if they were spent well. Never mind the $50,000 it cost me. I went to a state school so I know that isn't terribly expensive when we look at other colleges/universities.

My point here is that I think you should listen to your inner voice rather than what anyone else tells you...including me. I feel your pain, since I often second guessed my decision while I was still a student.

Success is isn't barred by a lack of a degree, and a degree isn't a guarantee of success. It's all up to you. So if you really want to leave school and you're determined to commit to that decision...then do it. If not, finish it up.

Go on a vision quest. Those definitely help with tough decisions.

Computer sci/programming is a skill to learn. If you do finish your schooling and keep up with IM, then you can make good money. If you do choose, to work a corp, then you can make up to 100ks or more. Now, if you don't want to work for others, work for yourself and create software and sell them. Finish, that degree because it can bring you, lots of opportunities...

The experience, of college is also something that happens once (mostly). Enjoy it and finish it and then move on....

From what you said on your post it looks like you are really passionate about IM and if you spent the time working on IM instead of going to school you can be making a lot more, possibly more then you would from a job wit your computer science degree. Since this is your second year I am assuming you are about 19/20 years old. You are already making 800+ a month which is pretty good IMO. The key is that you are passionate about IM, you wouldn't mind working long hours doing this stuff and you won't stop until you succeed. On the other hand with the school, it would be a struggle. You wouldn't want to do any of the school work, so might as well spend that time making it work in internet marketing. Not to mention you will be in a lot of debt after college. Good luck with whatever you do.

I finished college. But the whole time I was in college, I thought that I could be better spending my time growing a business. I say if you really dread it that much, tell your parents to give you two years. Two years to fully dedicate yourself in online marketing and making more income then they are!

Rather than looking at college as some type of slavery look at it as opportunity. When you choose your electives and course go for what you like also try to learn some basics, intro to government, fund raising, accounting, finance, science, foreign languages.

Learn to enjoy the experiences. I personally during my college years have met some brilliant people. Writers, dancers, actors, business people etc. Not many can say they were taught advertising by someone who worked for ogilvy, retail by someone who started mergers and acquisitions and dated the Hersheys daughter.

You will meet many movers and shakers during your formal education as well as in the real world you just have to dive in and enjoy the experiences and learn as much as you can any where you can.

As far as WF everyone's got an opinion and usually its based around what their parents were. For example if the parents weren't education there is the high possibility that the children won't be either. And you will be exposed to all the excuses right here on the warriorforum lol. I've really never seen anything like it where in one thread people down formal education, but in other threads they talk about the things they are trying to accomplish not realizing that schools, people and different educational systems can teach them what they need to know.

Hey, I'm also going into my second year of college and sometimes I feel like I should drop it and focus on internet marketing but, I know once it's done it's done. Think of it that way. You already started, might as well finish it.

don't worry about what everyone else thinks, forget what everyone else thinks and do what makes you happy. Follow your own dreams goals and desires and don't worry about what anyone says.

Sup diizle?

I've been exactly where you were just a few years back.

I remember sitting in one of my summer classes, brainstorming some code I was writing for a massive membership site I was about to launch. (The site failed dramatically by the way, but man it was a badass site. Ask me about it sometime).

It was hot, I was getting 0 sleep (due to classes, and my wreckless lifestyle), and was focusing on my entrepreneurial endeavors more than anything else.

My advice?

Ultimately, do what you want.

If you're not passionate about technology, computer science will be boring as hell.

What I did to make it fun? (party a lot, and exercise a ton. Also, make some friends with the pretty ladies. And the guys who know how to have fun.. Know what I'm saying there boss?).

Also.. If you find the workload to be too much.. TAKE LESS CLASSES BRO!

Years later I'm still in graduate school, taking my sweet ass time.

What's the rush man?

College is worth it.

And if you're in computer science / it / information systems?

Your efforts as an online entrepreneur will be more potent.

And even if you fail as an entrepreneur, you still have a nice bachelor of science.

You'll be worth some bank later.

Don't let anyone tell you otherwise.

PS: And, do what I did.. APPLY TO EVERY SCHOLARSHIP AND GRANT YOU CAN FIND.

If I told you how much $ in scholarships / grants I made in my undergrad degree, you either wouldn't believe me or be pissed that you haven't been writing elite level essays and applying for every scholarship/grant you can find.

Not to mention all the free stuff you can get through microsoft @dreamspark.

If I were you? I'd tough it out.

Unless, what I say hasn't motivated you.. Then you're just not passionate about it.

Remember though; you can always work on your entrepreneurial stuff while still in school. (I used to promote my sites while in classes, fun times).

And.. If the workload is seriously stressing? TAKE LESS CLASSES.



Hope that helps you find your path.. Whatever you may choose.

Later

Stay in school. At the end of the day you need a Plan B and only a paper that says you went to school is going to get you through. That's all you need to know.

You're going to get a lot of opinions on this, but here's my take:

1. Having a degree will never hurt you.
2. Not having a degree CAN hurt you.

Dedicate yourself to Internet Marketing AFTER you've finished school. You never know what the economy will throw at you. I'm 34 and have had my ups and downs over the years. I've always been a serial entrepreneur, but not all of my ventures have been as successful as what I'm doing now. There were times I had to tolerate the 9 to 5 grind while working on my next venture, and that will inevitably happen to you at some point too. So the question you need to ask yourself right now is when that happens, do you want to be doing grunt labor or other "unskilled" low-paying work to pay the bills? Or do you want to have the "piece of paper" that will automatically deem you "qualified" for a $120k job?

All other factors aside, it's better to have it than not have it. Even if you never use it. What happens if your venture is wildly successful and you reach the point where you need to grow, hire employees, and attract outside capital? Think they're going to invest a couple million bucks in someone who doesn't have a degree? Sure, they will - but they're going to take a bigger piece of the pie, and want to put their guy in to run the company.

Paper qualifications matter. Stay the course. You know all of those people that say "Live each day like it's your last"? They are idiots. Live each day like you have to wake up tomorrow and live with the decisions you made today.

Your in a tough spot, your making a decent income online but don't know how far it can take you.

That my friend is called risk, something every business owner has to acknowledge and deal with everyday.

My personal opinion would be to stay in school bc you never know how that degree or just 1 class could change everything. I was college student when I first started as well and I made the mistake of quiting IM to go into a internship. After a year of that I wanted back into the IM world bc of all the amazing perks.

Stay in school and in your downtime find out how to scale your income where you could live off of it with a degree or not. There's no point in giving up on school, when you don't have (IMO) a good enough reason to stop and focus just on IM

Can't thank everyone enough for all the replies ITT

I have been reading it everyday since I created the thread and there is always new replies from warriors offering there advice and experience.

As much as I want to give my all to my IM business I have realised with the current position I am in it would be foolish not to finish my education and get my degree.

I fully believe in my own abilities in eventually starting my own businesses and working for myself on my own terms without the need of my college degree, I thought about it and realised it doesn't matter how much you believe in yourself it's all about results at the end of the day and I cannot sit here and say with 100% certainty I am am going to be successful, no one can.

I do want to do my parents proud, I will be out of college right when I turn 24, after that I have my whole life ahead of me, my degree will be my safety net, but hopefully not just that, hopefully I can take out a real sense of achievement and experience with it as warriors have stated ITT

If you take some time to read my short story you will find it is quite similar as yours.
I was never so much interested in university things. I was lucky to find about Lead Generation and started to earn much more than the professors at the university.
So I definitely think that university is not that important if you feel that you want to have your own business.

[DELETED]

This is pretty much a no-brainer. FINISH college. It's amazing how many kids in the USA take college for granted. There are kids in other countries just dying to get into college. I was born in India and raised in the United States. In our culture, college is not an option. One of the MAIN reasons where I am today is my parents. No matter how many times I wanted to quit, they encouraged me. I went on to finish college and a professional degree. $800 a month? Hmmm..that would only pay half my mortgage and I don't live in a mansion. College can sometimes be like exercise, you don't like it during, but the results are something you wouldn't give up. The people that don't want to sacrifice anything are the same ones that are overweight, make $8/hr. and are single at 40. Also, many times a degree is the only thing that would prevent you from getting a job.

It's never safe to leave all your eggs in one basket. I am sure you would be able to scale up your internet marketing business with the extra time you gain from leaving college but you will miss out on a lot of other things that college has to offer other than just the degree.

Well, I've pretty much done it all at this point. College, military, worked in IT in a cube farm, had my own business (on the side), and work from home.

If you have an entrepreneurial spirit, then working in a cube farm setting can be pretty frustrating (although its good to see this side of working). Personally, I think most college degrees are just that, college degrees. You could learn more applied skills by going to technical college.

If you have good technical or other skills, consider working on oDesk. Do this for income, along with your other ventures and you could be doing well enough. You could even generate some good leads.

*If you do decide to start a business, then I HIGHLY recommend taking small business bookkeeping as well as other finance and accounting courses, as knowing 'the numbers' is critical to business success.

I'd say stick to doing both - continue going to college and at the same time steadily improve your IM skills as you go - you will be unstoppable!!!

I was in exactly your position at one point. I went on to get a first class honours degree in Comp Sci and then became a full time affiliate marketer. My experience has been invaluable although I do very little programming these days. College/University is much more than a piece of paper. It's training to put in the hard work it needs to succeed in any aspect of life.
I IM'ed,eBay'd and had a night job throughout university to pay my way. All worth it.

I was thinking about going back to college but the money I would have to invest is just rediculous. What do you get at the end? A piece of paper that isn't actuall goin to help you a great deal. You will be stuck fighting it out with thousands of other people with that same piece of paper for a job where you will be slaving away for some one else's business.

Instead I took my money and Invested in a good IM coach. A much more worthwhile expenditure of money and time in my mind.

I dropped out of college nearly two years ago after the first semester to follow my passion as an entrepreneur. (I'm 21 years old)

Since then, I have founded 2 companies: Flight Drummers (an online drumming education platform that charges $14.95/mo and we have members in 13 countries) and Flight Media.

I currently work full time, making $30/hour average with 3 other employees and I'm expanding into 12x the office space we are in now. (Everyone will have their own office, front reception, huge studio space, etc.)

The problem I saw with college was:

1. 60% of college grads are currently unemployed.

and

2. I hate working for other people.

Being an entrepreneur allows you to make your own hours (be careful, and responsible ) and have no limitations to what you can do. I am working with multi-million dollar businesses at 21-years of age and am respected for it.

College is a paper of sadness.

(Just my opinion!)

-Josh

Don't do it man. Stay in school. School gives you a ton of flexibility to improve your IM skills and do all that stuff while still being in school. Yea, it is just a piece of paper, but it can land you A LOT more than you think.

A degree is a piece of paper? I guess you are right. ONE piece of paper that gets you a lot of these pieces of paper:



It's been proven MANY times over, a person with a college degree makes a lot more money over their lifetime than one without.

With regards to my college fees like people are asking, I live in Ireland, and college is very cheap here compared to America and some other countries, I have to pay 2,500 euro per year for my college education, which is probably around $3,500 dollars

I'm a college student doing internet marketing as well. you should get through this year of college, and spend the summer doing IM full time to see how it works out for you. If it really takes off then you should seriously consider dropping out of college and doing IM full time

Why not push yourself real hard in IM over the next year of college at night - dedicate 8 hours to IM while also going to school full time? I worked full time and went to college full time for 4 years. It sucks but it gets you working hard. If you can grow your income online and/or get close to the average salary you may expect to receive just quit college? You'll be busy all the time but you'll prove quite a bit to yourself I'd be willing to bet...

You learn valuable skills at college. There's no reason why you can't start an online business on the side. Education is very valuable and important... depends what you do with your education that matters.

Follow your heart.

dude, yeah if you're already feelin that way about college, and you're making money now online, then just spend your time learning how to master IM and scale it up. Pretty soon, you'll be making more money than you ever did working a computer job. And you parents will be proud then, Ha.

But you gotta figure, your typical job in that field may pay you $60k, maybe more, for working at least 40 hours a week. Then you'll pay a ton in taxes from that check, so your take-home pay will be like $4k month. So like $133 a day.

You could easily make that in commissions online through a myriad of ways. So just think, you double that, and you could tell your parents you make $120K a year, working whenever, where ever, you freakin want to.

Its hard to say. If you asked me five years ago I would of told you to leave college. Now its hard to say. Computer Science is a good degree to have, no matter how limited you think the teachings are it still looks great on paper and will land you a good job. I dont know about in the US or Europe or where ever you are located but in Australia a computer science graduate can land some really high paying jobs.

Its always good to have some security in life. No matter what people in this forum tell you. You always have to look after number one and make sure you give yourself the right opportunities to make life easier for you as you get older and risking it all on affiliate marketing is a risk you dont need at the moment.

Believe me, although I love online marketing and entrepreneurship its actually much harder than you really think to earn a good living online and still maintain a happy, healthy lifestyle.

I would finish the degree, continue with your IM on the side and then once your finished your course you can take a break and figure it all out from there...

If you have your degree and then decide to go full steam ahead at the online thing and that doesn't work out for you, you will always have your degree which will land you a job.

Since all of our opinions are different, I figured I'd give it a wing.
Just to put it into perspective.
If I'm not happy doing something, I stop doing it right away.
I'm sure that's ended me at a lot of pit stops in my life, but only because I'm trying to find what actually makes me happy... and its not furthering my education for I feel that is not where true knowledge comes from.
I'm 21, and I feel I understand the world a lot better than ANY of my friends in college etc, and have chosen a path of entrepreneurship.
Whether my business started with shoveling driveways, landscaping, and then selling diablo 3 items... Now I'm creating client lists and marketing online.

That's just me, and I'm different, I'm willing to sit here and eat rice, go to a library to get this business rolling. I'm willing to take a loan, sell my car to get started.

And now? It's working out, everything's working out. If your already making 800$ a month, I'd say that you should stay in school, and increase that value.

Your parents would be just as happy to see your online business providing you a livable income, and seeing you happy rather then completing your education.

and lets be honest, if we put that same amount of time that we put into our job/school, as we did into our new internet marketing venture... It would probably already be taking off wonderfully.

Hopefully this helped, just thought I'd ramble some wisdom. Take care man! and good luck with which ever road you end up taking your journey!

My father, a high school graduate who worked his fingers to the bone in a fiberglass plant his whole life wisely told me, "No one can ever take a college diploma away from you. You can lose your car, home, and even your marriage, but you can't lose a college degree."

I followed his advice and got my degree. I don't regret it one bit.

It's called the best of both worlds! Go to school get your piece of paper, in the backround still work on your business. Its no different than being in a job that you hate and working on your business on the side until the income becomes enough to say hey im out. When i went to college i worked a full time job and went to school full time. Whats stopping you from working on your busineess full time. I would go to class at 8am get out at 1PM, run right to work and bus tables until 4pm and then work the line until 12 and get out about 1am. So How bad do you want it

[DELETED]

fwiw, have a plan if you decide to stay in school and have a plan if you decide to leave school. At the end of the day only you can decide how you move forward but laying out what steps you will take to succeed and what success will look like when you get there will help you when you get to moments like now (and this will not be the last time) when you are unsure if you are moving in the right direction.

Good luck!

I say finish school and get your degree. And if you have time you can still do IM on the side and figure out a way to turn $800 a month to $8,000 a month.

I skimmed the posts here and realized that the majority recommends that diizzle (OP) remains in college and completes his Degree.

I'll probably be one of the few that thinks otherwise.

Completing your college education would be great, it's a good "safety-net"; however, there is a problem:

Most of the replies here supporting that he furthers his education, are generally good pieces of advice... however, everyone is different; furthering of education may not necessarily be the best option for EVERY person.

The first BIG problem here, is that diizzle does NOT enjoy college, nor does he see having a degree a useful tool in having a bright future.

Many responders here are trying to share their opinion, on whether or not having a Degree is better, rather than focusing on the OP's situation.

The OP doesn't seem to be a naive person.
The fact that he is making more money Online than most on this forum, yet still is seeking advice on if he should continue school or not, shows that he is cautious and stable-minded.

There are some people who are just lazy and want to quit school, while there are others who earnestly TRY to like it, and TRY to make the best out of their education... but school simply isn't for them.

In his case, not wanting to be in school is NOT an emotional or lazy decision, but rather a subconscious realization that he can do better for himself by quitting school.

University is NOT an easy thing. If you don't enjoy the education, you will likely fail, or you will not grasp much value from the years spent there.

==================================================

Here is another point that people should consider:

Often, people quote that "Statistically, College Graduates earn a significantly greater amount of income as compared to Non-Graduates".
That is very true, I don't deny that.

However, people are still missing something...

Why not compare the group of:
?

The problem with the statistics often quoted, is that

So the "College Dropout" group MOSTLY consists of people with: Low Self-Esteem, Low Motivation, Drug Addiction, Depression, Mental Disability, Poverty Issues, etc...

Whereas, people who decide to go through College and have the capacity to do so, are much less affected by such problems.

Most of these "Highly Motivated" people pursue furthering their education, because that's what the World tells them is best for their future.

I would put myself in the "Highly Motivated Dropout" group, and I am quite sure that I am more successful that the average "Highly Motivated College Graduate".

==================================================

My situation was a bit similar to the OP's:

1) I was doing Computer Science at University.
2) Became tired of it. I didn't see it useful for my future. I didn't enjoy studying.
3) I only really went to Univ because my Parents wanted me to.
4) I was already earning decent money online, nothing huge at the time, but more than most on here.
5) I was highly motivated to be successful in life and reach far. I trusted in myself and had great ideas.

So, I dropped out at the end of year one.
I stayed in my parents’ home, working on my online businesses.
I worked hard, and it was a Long, Slow road to Success.

My main "discomfort" was my parents constantly asking me (out of concern):
"Is your business improving yet?"
"How are things going with your online business?"
"Are you sure you don't want to go look for a job?"

Business takes TIME.
It's not like a 9/5 job, where you get a fixed salary of $2500/month.

Things will start off small, a couple 100's per month, and then slowly increase over time, as you gain experience and reputability.

Long story short... I currently earn more than my family combined (Dad, Mom and 2 brothers), who were all "Pro-Education".

I still have FAR to go to reach my goals. I don't consider myself "Successful" yet. Maybe WHEN I reach 7-Figures per year, I will.

(By the way, I have not yet found use for ANY of the Skills/Knowledge I aquired at University)

==================================================

Concerning "No one can ever take your Degree away from you", I can say the same about my Portfolio.

I created a Web Development + Design Portfolio for myself when I quit University. Now, I always have that to fall back on, if something was to go wrong with my Businesses.

As an Expert Web Developer/Designer for many years, I have NEVER been asked for a Degree/Certificate by any of Clients.
They simply look at my work and know that I'm the right guy for the job.

You can always Backup your Portfolio, store it in Cloud Hosting, etc... for safety.

I know that not all fields of work allows you to create a "Glowing Portfolio" like Designing does.
I'm just saying that you CAN create your own "safety-net", outside of having a Degree.

Find a Skill that is in Demand - Learn it - Master it - Create a name for yourself.
You can develop that skill you've mastered into a fully fledged business later on.

==================================================

I'm not saying that education is useless or a negative thing, but I believe its usefulness varies greatly from person to person.

I know some people who are not nearly as motivated as I am; I would strongly recommend that they further their education.
It would help them to get a better job and better earnings.


But for those with an "Entrepreneurial mindset" like mines, I believe that college can be a hamper in some ways:

1) It takes a lot of time. 3-5 years is a big deal to me. One can grow their business and profits by LARGE amounts during that 5 year period, while LEARNING and EDUCATING themselves through real life experience.

2) Education can limit your thinking in some ways. I have worked with people who are more educated than me in certain fields, but because their minds were "programmed" to think in a certain way, they were not able to "think outside the box", and solve problems that I was able to, with my limited knowledge of their own field of specialty.

Some say that Education broadens your thinking, and that can be true in many cases. However, real life exposure will do the same as well, but in a more effective way.

3) Education is an expense. Not everyone can easily afford education, for some, it is a financial strain. They may have been better off starting a small business and seeing short-term results, rather than waiting for 5 years of expenses to THEN reap rewards.

==================================================

Just a few notable School Dropouts:

Albert Einstein, Bill Gates, John D. Rockefeller, Henry Ford, Walt Disney, Abraham Lincoln, Thomas Edison, Christopher Columbus, Mark Twain, Benjamin Franklin, Elton John, William Shakespeare, Marilyn Monroe, Johnny Depp, Frank Sinatra, George Washington, Florence Nightingale, Steve Jobs, Mark Zuckerberg etc...

One may notice that those "Rare Success Stories" are .

Continuing their education (those who had that opportunity) may have likely hampered their success.


Average Net Worth of Billionaires: (Education Status)

Ph.D.s: $3.2 Billion
Bachelor's Degree: $2.9 Billion

List of college dropout billionaires - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

==================================================

In my opinion, education up to Highschool is CRUTIAL.

However, once you've completed highschool, it's up to that individual (and their parents) to sit and seriously consider the choices of Furthering Education vs. Starting a Business.

- Do you have the right motivation?

- Are you able to access sufficient learning material outside of College, to keep learning and improving yourself in that area of business?

- Are you an organized person or disorganized? (If you are disorganized, college can help put the right information in front your eyes. If you are organized, you can get the relevant information you need, faster, and when you need it, by researching it yourself.)

- Are you surrounded by positive people and those that can help you start your business journey?


These are some of the things that one should assess before making their decision to further education or start a business.

I did have the right motivation, and access to all I needed to keep learning (Internet).
I didn't really have any help from others, other than a tiny allowance that helped me to pay for server and domain fees when starting up.


Formal Education is most useful for those who need guidance and motivation.

Those who are already very motivated and focused would likely reach success more quickly if they didn't complete college. College doesn't allow them to self-develop themselves at the speeds they want to, it slows down their capabilities.



Just keep your mind open. There is no single correct answer.
Everyone's Situation, Capabilities and Resources are different.

Though in the OP's case, quitting College may be the better decision, mostly because of how much he detests it.

==================================================


You can always choose to come back and complete your education later on, if things don't work out for some reason.

I know it won't be as easy to get back into when you're older, but now is not your "Final chance at Education", like some people make it out to be.

I will say it again like I said it earlier in this thread. Having a college degree isn't just about having some insurance but also it has been proven over and over again that is essential to maintain a good job in today's economy. Yes, economy has changed a lot but you can't rely on Internet marketing only when it's also so un-stable sometimes. Get that degree. People manage to be on their iphones 12 hours a day despite having to go to school or work. It's the same for you, if you go to college you will still have nights and weekends to work on your business.

First of all at least your degree is useful. You are learning programming, right? Better than my useless degree. Second of all to be honest I know you are probably young so it is understandable but if you have to ask the question then you aren't ready yet.

It's great that you are earning income online already while still in school! You should stay in school and let it push you to be working all the time online when you aren't doing your school work. After you have put in that kind of work and paid your dues you really develop the drive and dedication you need to go off on your own and succeed.

"To thine own self be true"... Shakespeare

Wow, this thread is still going....

awesome..!!

Dizzle, one thing I didn't mention, when your beautiful new girlfriend takes U home to meet Mommy and Daddy and they ask where U went to school...

I'm not saying this is a reason to stay in school, but just have a good answer ready...

Like your taking a year off from your favorite Ivy League College to help Jimmy Carter build houses for his - Habitat for Humanity - charity..

Habitat for Humanity Int'l

If you are studying programming--get the degree!

You can write software products that will knock their socks off. Or at least consult intelligently with those you might hire later on to do your programming.

Don't give up on the dream, but find ways to multi-task. Create checklists, and prioritize the things that will make you the most money. Do those things first. If you learn to work effectively now it will serve you all of your life.

Okay - what you seem to be going through is what I see as the problem for many going to college - wrong motivation to be there.

If you are going just to grab anything that will get you money, you're going to be miserable there - plus, if you hate the college courses, think of how bad your life will suck actually being trapped working in that field because that's where your expertise lies.

If you are going to go to school - it should be because you are cranked about learning something. Take something that turns your gears at full speed - and then figure out how to monetize it later. When you are doing something as important and intensive as getting an education, it should be to get you where you want to be in your mind and in the real world.

I figured I would throw in my two cents on the subject. One thing I am sure you have learned while trying to make money online is to never put ALL your eggs in one basket. The key to making legitimate money anywhere in the real world or online is that you MUST diversify. A diverse portfolio in investing, real estate, and countless others including affiliate marketing is crucial. If you only had a plan to make money using facebook marketing and suddenly they shut down all together what would you do? It would be tough.

We all love internet marketing but if something happened to shut it all down.... what could you fall back on. Football players must ask themselves that all the time. Without that degree, a career ending ACL tear could be much more devastating.

This is just food for thought but I know from experience that it is best to get your degree while you can. It is very hard to go back later and get it. While there are people who we like to talk about who didn't get their degree and are billionaires now......they are few and far between and exceptions to the rule. In the end just follow your heart and pray about it...works for me.

Man! if I could do it all over I would be all over that computer science degree. The only computer science I get now is teaching myself how to program.

I logged in just to post my thoughts. I too in 2011 jan discovered IM and for me personally i feel like college is now a joke. IM is a gold man. if you dedicate your effort and time to this I dont see how he cant be successful?

Everyone here is mentioning a backup plan. yea, cool. but why is it that it has to be college? There are trade schools too. but not even that. you know what i tell people? look all over the warrior forum, there are 1000s and 1000s of courses for making money online......and they all dont take 4 years to do. and no loans to take. THATS my backup. and the thing is that, even if you got the degree and say 5 years from now u want to use the degree as backup for what ever reason....the employerr will say, what have you done in 5 years...

most of the time you putting self employed wont count, so thats a then dead paper wait in some cases.

Theres many ways to have a 'backup' plan. so if thats everyones concern then he can use the warroom or wso section to look at allllll the backup plans he needs just incase. the good thing is in IM you can start taking action right away on those plans vs in offline degree thingy magig, u have to HOPE to get the interview, then the job, etc. degree guaruntees nothing anymore.

didnt you all hear that a BA isnt enough anymore? a masters is the New BA now to stand out.... so now students are recommended for at least 6 years of college. Its a buyers market for employers. IF you dont like the pay, they will laugh at you and say, no prob, someone will gladly take your spot. no one is that special anymore just cause a degree sadly. because almost everyone has a BA now, FACT. so you have to then get the next best thing etc.

what I would focus on if you still wanted to dable in the IT world is to save some money and take some Certifications. in IT alot of people will tell you certs are more valuable right now. degrees are bloated and vague. how is it that almost every course in college takes hmmmmmmm 4 years to learn? really?! give me a break.

What i would say to you buddy, is to decide if you want to press on. You can try it and see if you can do both, or force yourself, or you can put that a side and go for IM fulltime, or part time. Just do whats in your heart. as for me Im wanting out IT all together. hate the IT corp world now, it killed the hobby i once had.

IM is my future, im not making consistant money just yet but that was because of a procrastination issue that I finally learned to kill.

taught myself on making mini task for 30min and adding a 10-15min break/reward between. a course i had months ago i finally started full force and almost completed in just 9 days already, if I had done that from the start i would of been way successful already. thats why to FOCUS on what ever your doing. IM or IT doesnt matter if theres no passion and focus.

im THIISSSSSSSSSSS close like im talking by next 2 weeks to have consistant money coming in from something im working on and finally coming to a finish. finished an ebook and will place traffic on it (not google either), and i already have a list of projects in order (aka backup plan) i will do next after i scale this one up, etc. i have made money in the time ive been in IM though, just not consistant. total of 100+ over time. nothing much.


just keep this in mind.......backup plan doesnt have to = college, it could be starting another IM project. im sure you have tons of WSO's that you know would most likley work in alot of cases but you may not of had time get to.
Backup plan only means at end of the day something that can bring you income to hold you down. but with the internet, and warriorforum, its more easier now then ever to MAKE you own backup then to go in dept, and HOPE someone gives you a job (that even pays what you want). I technically dropped out of college now i have taken enough credits for assosites level. thats enough. im not focused , nor do i care about the whole field. IM is way realistic in my opinion. but everyone is different. but its no longer practical for me to goto college and do all that stuff anymore, my grades were around C's , ive been on deans list before though but i have no intrest.

I arguued with my parents etc but 2 years later they are taking me seriously now and so will your parents. College is their norm. IM is a stranger to them so they dont trust it. If your parents new the potential of IM they would of put you in Warriorforum university. where else can you learn this kind of stuff for the cheap? most degrees dont even add up mathematically anymore.

the fact ur making 800 a month is a damn good sign you have what it takes if you go the IM way. good luck friend. sorry for spelling, im on cell and spell check is silly.

Please, finish school and get the degree.

Reason? Because of what it will do to you psychologically if you don't complete something when you're halfway through with it already.

You think you want to do IM full time, but let's say you decide at one point it's not for you. (Or even if you don't.) The decisions you make today could come back to haunt you tomorrow. It's a lot easier, psychologically, to finish what you started now, than to come back and complete it years down the road. And even if you never want to, you might have that tinge of regret that you did not finish what you started.

$800 is (as you know) probably not enough to live off very comfortably. However, it's definitely a sign that you have lots of potential in IM. Combine that with a computer science degree, and you'll have the world on a string.

Couldn't you simply switch to another major or study in college? Who's to say Computer science is the only thing you can study there. Also, there is no question, the key to financial freedom in life is a college degree. Internet marketing and Google can be really flaky. If you are staking your future on either one, then you are likely to end up broke and homeless. Use your affiliate marketing to supplement your income. Think of it another way, your potential clients will be more impressed dealing with a college grad than a college drop out.

I was gonna write a full speech about why you should stay in college then why you should follow your dreams and do what you want to do and not what your parents say...But I find this quote a hella' more effective.

"I failed in some subjects in exam, but my friend passed in all. Now he is an engineer in Microsoft and I am the owner of Microsoft."

Maybe it'll help or not, either way good luck with your choice. I'm also in College, lol. (UK)


-Mike.

just do what you feel is more practical for you right now. Either one isnt going anywhere. IM will always be here and college. but for me college is the weaker link and no longer practial for me. even if i got the degree, its not a success. so if u feel like getting the degree isnt a success for you then do IM. Or vice versa.

at the end of the day, you cant always force to do something you dont want to do. If you feel you have the drive for IM and can maintain that drive, and accept that IM will also get hard once in a while, but keep pushing because of the benifits then you will do fine in IM. DO you feel you will be successful in school? even when forcing yourself? do you see any benifit even when you get your degree? way the pros and cons, also look at what you are more pationate about now, where do you also feel your progressing more?

Then go by that. Both will be there. for me personally IM is the way out for me and realistic then getting a degree which is half the battle.

if you wanted to do IT and IM i would put a cemester on hold and get your cert for IT, because like i mentioned Certs WILL help you if thats what your wondering, even having basic A+ can get you easily in computer jobs at least then degree alone.

then after you get your a cert or 2, maybe take a semester off and go full effort on a IM project as best as you can for few months. then go back for a semster, then take next one off and either finish project for IM or scale it, or add another one to keep streams coming in.

But remember a degree doesnt make you stable magically like everyone makes it seem. Whats the expense also? and what is the return investment? if it will put you in a financial hold then i would just put it off, build up ur income in IM then use it to pay your school as you go back into it, with out having to take out loans.

Speaking of computer science courses that you are taking. I am older than most of you so programming is super confusing for me. I have just started taking a computer science course and have to complete our first assignment. If you know about JavaScript and are willing to help me with this task before tomorrow, you will be compensated. Please PM me if you have any interest. The assignment is as follows:

The first step in your program will be to get a number from the user. You will use a "prompt" statement to do this (remember to do the "safe" prompt which converts the text to a number). Ask the user for an integer to be an upper limit (see "Points for Thought" below). Your program will then produce several computations from the sequence of integers from 1 to whatever upper limit the user has given.
You will compute these values:

• the sum of the integers from 1 to the upper limit (including the upper limit)
• the square root of the sum of all integers in the sequence
• the sum of the floor of the square root of each integers in the sequence (remember the floor is the integer part of a number with decimal places)
• the product of all the integers in the sequence
• the average of all the integers in the sequence

Each result you compute will be reported in an "alert" statement.

I have a degree in Multimedia

Not only was this the best thing I ever did, its something no one can ever take away from me. SO that is why I did it.

Plus the fact that it does help me with some factions within my IM career....and even though I am not that computer literate it still has given me lots of real world experience, and that is what young kids need these days. I say do not quit, stick it out, unless you already have an IM business online doing $50k - $100k per year.

I was thinking why all the college post recently too. Of course new semester is coming but is it all about it? Is it because of the bad economy and the money involved in getting your college education?

Ok. If you are paid to get your college education, 1000 every month when you stay in college in another country and they even pay for your insurance, tuition is cheap and room and board is cheap, do you think it's good chance and will you ask this question again? (I am not talking about theory, in my country this does happen to foreigners)

I was told that if you can't build a business part time, you won't be able to build it full time. I would stick with the course or see about moving points to another program and keep working on the business part time until you can show your folks that you can earn really good money online. That way it will push you to succeed quicker. also, i've been in higher education and found it useful. Not doing anything with it either but it taught me how to get things done under pressure, time management, writing, focus, will power and the social side was good

I posted this in the other thread, I'll post it here too...

As I've said before, the one thing that all successful people have in common is a thirst for knowledge. They get nourishment from learning.

That is the point of college. Broadening your horizons.

If you don't have that trait, I'd suggest you try your best to get it... because, without it, chances are you won't be successful.

The best copywriters are ones who know a sh*tload about multiples industries and areas. There is a reason for that. This is just as true for the best CEOs, the best investors, the best speechwriters, the best chefs, and so on.

My two cents.

Ps- Also, pretty sure you stand more to gain by finishing your degree than you do by not. As I've said before, the one thing that all successful people have in common is a thirst for knowledge. They get nourishment from learning.

That is the point of college. Broadening your horizons.

If you don't have that trait, I'd suggest you try your best to get it... because, without it, chances are you won't be successful.

The best copywriters are ones who know a sh*tload about multiples industries and areas. There is a reason for that. This is just as true for the best CEOs, the best investors, the best speechwriters, the best chefs, and so on.

My two cents.

Ps- Also, pretty sure you stand more to gain by finishing your degree than you do by not.

I understand where you are coming from. I am currently in school going full-time and it gets in the way of internet marketing.

However, if you continue working on your internet marketing business while in school, you may not have to get a job when you get done.

Nothing wrong with getting an education and having another means to make an income. Doesn't mean that you have to get a job. You will just have the knowledge to branch out and make an income with another means.

Do both get an education and increase your income online. It will pay off in the end. Good luck

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Quit college man, nothing ever came from someone that has an education.
I mean really. All the people out there making money do not have a degree why should you, right?

I would first yell at the dean when you leave school to make sure you can't get back in.

Then I would go home and ramp up the volume on affiliate marketing and then the U.S. will probably say were going to tax all affiliate platforms and they will stop letting you be an affiliate or you will get kicked off all your affiliate sites, then you can go flip hamburgers because you have no education.

I hope I helped you out with my post. ;-)

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You will always find varying responses for this sort of subject.

.Take a look at the following two blog posts. It just might change your view towards college:

James Altucher: Don't Send Your Kids To College

James Altucher: 10 More Reasons Why Parents Should Not Send Their Kids To College

Personally, I think James is right on the money with his perspectives on this but, in any event, see if what he says resonates at all with you.

I wanted to go to college after High School for software engineer but long story short my old man screwed me.
After landing the highest paying job you can without a degree as a mailman for $23 an hr US I quickly realized it sucks and enrolled in an online college. This year they cut my pay 29.8% to $16 an hr.
Online schools are viewed as degree mills and if your lucky you may get offered an entry level job. I been making money online but not enough to live on, until I got a mentor.
I never told anyone I dropped out of college until I started making over $100 a day regularly. Now I'm constantly being asked to teach others and the coaching alone is making me a killing, right now it's just private until further notice but that alone is making more then that college degree would have.
If this is what you want to do and you can start making at least 3k or more then leaving school is your choice but if you like it and it makes you happy then do what you truly want to do but don't do something if you think you may regret it later.

exactly!! having an education feels like a waste but it's almost a right of passage many great minds bypassed to pursue their dreams. I advise you finish, get a degree and continue MLM...many of my younger members go to school and have a fulltime income....

I am not surprised why this post resonate with so many warriors here. To be frank my graduation hasn't helped me at all in getting where I am today. I start jumping from one job to another, I was never meant to be in 9 to 5 race. If you strongly feel going college is waste of time then leave it. Remember all these Phd holders work for college dropouts....

No doubt that you will get varying response regarding college education, but degree course is not just about learning the soon-to-be-outdated technical stuffs. College is a great place for you to grow mentally, spiritually.

Look at those people who completed college and who don't. Can you see the difference in the way they carry themselves, the way they talk?

Same goes for 9-5 work. I never liked office work, but going 9-5 for a few years have taught me so much knowledge and gain me more experience. It has changed me to a much more mature person.

It's not just about academics, there's much more to gain from it. And I believe that such knowledge will help you greatly in many years to come.

Why not do both side by side? this is the age you have lots of energy, motivation and aid. I say stay in school and explore IM simultaneously.

Very deep question.

Many colleges suck in teaching and could do much better at challenging students.

You say you are starting your second year right now. 800 bucks a month is very nice as extra, it is still below average (at least in my country)

Sometimes I feel I could do much better with more time on my hands. The things is, I think it's sometimes good to follow something you started through to the end. Doesn't have to be straight A's and all. It'll give you that paper that could help you if you're in need for a job.. and after that and in your spare time: you can go all out on your own business.

Good luck with your decision man!

How do you all have time for such long winded posts... don't you have businesses to run?

As for this post... college is not easy, an online business is not easy... but commit to one or the other or if you've got stamina do both. You will learn stuff in college that you can apply to your business. But don't go to college as a back-up... you are already setting yourself up to fail at your business. Finish college to support your business through additional knowledge, not because you're scared your online business will fail. If you want a guarantee with either choice - it doesn't exist. Work hard and focus and you will be successful.

thats pretty much it john, just had to put details between them. and @MatthewM , i agree what you said, that blackguy in those vids above ! he makes 550-600 a day from his hotdog cart. ANd he pays no royalties, he bought a blank cart, made the brand from scratch. only thing he would of had to pay is maybe a license if anything. and he has 3 carts! the other 2 carts he has employees on it and guess what.

the cart he personally runs when he FEELS like it goes straight to savings! because thats not his main job he does wayyyy more other things like finance etc. imagine making thatmuch a day from a hotdog 550-600 all for you no royalties AND goes staight to savings?!!!! i know peple would laugh but yet somehow they actually have College courses and And assosites/BA to be a clown........

thats why im thankful of learning and discovering IM and the forum. ITs not about what you sell, its knowing IF OR why it will sell. work smarter not harder. i bet if someones child make this much money, college is the last thing they are worried of

I can't be impartial with a question like this because I am a college graduate, that said you need to do what you feel works best for you. If you truly don't have the heart to complete your degree that has to be your choice or you will regret it.

Affiliate marketing is great but it doesn't hurt to have a back up plan is there?

I'm sorry for the good cop bad cop bit but in the end you have to know that no one but you can make this life changing decision. I wish you the best in what ever you choose.

http://www.warriorforum.com/mind-war...-age-15-a.html

I think when it comes down to it, we all just hate the idea of real life.

lol, badabang! lol

I was going to read this whole thread, but damn it's huge.

As a programmer, a degree is pointless. Especially in my field (video game programming). A portfolio and proven experience will win out every time.

Most employers don't even look at the education section of the resume and will specifically tell you to put it at the end.

That's the truth.

I personally need a back-up strategy though. For me, I felt I needed to go to college because if I NEEDED a decent 9-5 then I had a better chance at getting one.

That's just me though.

Stacy

this is what happens when you cant pay your loans in time or minimum
Suze Orman discusses student debt at the Remaking America Panel - YouTube

As some have already said, school is about many, many things. Education is perhaps the greatest part, but socialization, the networking, the discipline, the sacrifice, the drive, etc. These are but a few things which make up only a fraction of the college experience. I would never trade my college experience for anything in the world. Three years is not a long time. While you are in school build yourself successful business where you are in control. You never know what the future will bring. Good luck with your decision.

I do want to add that if I lived in a country where you weren't expected to pay for your education for a decade after getting it, I might be more in favor of going through the process. Unfortunately our country has some issues and funding for education is one of them.

Hey Dizzle,

You are taking a computer science course and you are also interested and doing internet marketing. I'd say your course actually complements what you are are doing now and am sure will be useful in the future.

You are probably ahead of so many others in terms of techie stuff and chances are you are learning on some new tech as well.

With such knowledge, you can even start developing your own products eventually to complement your affiliate marketing.

try to look beyond the course and think of the possibilities of how to connect them with what you love doing.

and yes... whatever you finally decide to do - it involves WORK! that's a 4 letter word that you can't escape from.

Cheers
Chris

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My opinion is going to be a bit biased. I went to college and got a degree. I did what they said you were supposed to do and have had to struggle to hold a job ever since and all I really have to show for it is a mountain of student loan debt. If I had known what I know now I am not so sure I would of gone to college. It sounds to me like you are already making money in the limited time you have. There are many programs out there that allow you to make a lot of money fast. Have you ever thought about taking that money you are earning and reinvesting some of it into marketing? This is exactly what I would do but I am by far not an expert in this field. I just know that systems work and if you find the right system you will start making a very good income. An income that is way greater than anything a job will ever be able to pay you.

What I feel what college is good for though is it teaches you to stick with something and reach your goals. It helps give you become a more well rounded person but hell you can do all that with an online business anyway.

So for me unless your intention is to get a job and be an employee college is not for you. On the other end of that your parents just want what is best for you and at least having a piece of paper is something you could fall back on if for whatever reason you were not able to make it with your business.

I am not sure if that helps but I wish I would of had the opportunities that are available now. I know if I did I never would of ended up with a huge student loan. You can't focus on the past though. Just my 2 cents.

My question: How are you not learning anything useful in a computer science program? I'm taking computer science at a local technical college and we've learned incredibly useful skills in programming (c#), database development, etc. What on earth are they teaching you that you don't feel is practical? Surely programming is a big part of the program, right?

A degree never got anyone anywhere stick around the forum try to learn how to earn some cash, set up a business part time while you finish your course (just incase as a back up) then when your raking it in come tell us how to do it too.

IMHO the only advantage (not benefit) of getting a college degree is increased employability in the near future, which is a perk I assume not congruent to your personal goals. I'm a college dropout myself. I come from a place where the thought of not going to college is thought to be absolutely absurd. I was the kind of student that would get high grades without paying attention at all in class. However I just didn't have the will to carry on. Cognitively I knew that I was wasting my time. (It was my fault though, I wasted my own time). Could I have forced myself to do so? Yeah, I guess. But I don't deal with cognitive dissonance well. I was absolutely miserable, and decided to quit despite the overwhelming normative social influence around me.

Motivation is not something you can rationalize. There's nothing in college that you can learn by yourself. All media are constructions. College syllabus are just one version of knowledge available to everyone. Even IF the structure in which knowledge is taught to you would be advantageous to you, it's just isn't worth the price (taken into consideration that increased employability is not a perk that you're interested in). But in this case, you've already paid for it ; and investing some time in college is an act bearable to you, the decision lies with you. But I doubt the latter is true since you've stated in the title of the thread "Really want to leave college". I might be wrong though.For me I couldn't spend a minute paying attention in class so it was a waste anyway.

As for having something to "fall back" on; (I assume) that you don't intend to make a job a long-term undertaking, there are many skills associated with building a business that can (and has made me when I was acquiring capital for my business) a decent living. And that is IF you intend to make a living from those jobs. You only "fail" when you give up, at least in IM, unless you make really big mistakes lol.

I guess my point is, as an entrepreneur, you have to control your own destiny; you'll have to make important decisions. Nobody can tell you your best course of action, as there's too many variables involved.Please let us know it goes, I eagerly await updates from you. All the best!