Would You Go to College Again?

14 years ago

i don't understand why Americans seem to use College and University as the same thing?

In UK College and university are 2 totally different things

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NOSLEEPATALL 14 years ago

I dropped out of the College second semester as I thought it was not teaching squat!

Later I did a Tech Institute deal and Deans Listed the entire time but even with that and Copper, Fiber Optic Certs I have nothing to show for it.

So aside from what I personally learned and use for myself I sure wouldn't go again.
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ZachWaldman 14 years ago

Well, we use them sort of interchangeably. A college is one school and a university has several schools. So, you may go to a liberal arts college or you may attend a university; and while there you may go to the school of business. What's the difference in the UK?
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- Alexa Smith Banned 14 years ago
  
  Originally Posted by ZachWaldman
  
  What's the difference in the UK?
  
  Educational standards.
  
  Over here, the word "college" typically means something that isn't of a high enough level to be classified as a "university" and granted a university charter by the government.
  
  Colleges don't normally issue "degrees" as such, more diplomas and other qualifications. (It's true there are some colleges, nowadays, that have an arrangement with a local university to submit their students as "external candidates" for the university's degrees, but there aren't many of them and they tend, overall, not to be the better universities).
  
  Apart from inside the "collegiate universities" of Cambridge, Oxford, London and Durham, where the "colleges" are actually subsidiary parts of the university itself, but that form of the word "college" is just a kind of historical anomaly.
  
  Fairly near where I live, there's a "college of building and technology", where people go to learn plumbing, to be an electrician, and so on. This is closer to what a British person typically understands by the word "college": they don't instinctively think of "college" as a university course in an academic subject with a degree at the other end of it.
  
  To answer your original question: I would go to college (university) again, yes - very much so.
  
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Black Hat Cat Banned 14 years ago

Originally Posted by Frank Ayres

i don't understand why Americans seem to use College and University as the same thing?

In UK College and university are 2 totally different things

Because in America, they pretty much are the same thing.
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taskemann 14 years ago

Originally Posted by Frank Ayres

i don't understand why Americans seem to use College and University as the same thing?

In UK College and university are 2 totally different things

Yes, here to!
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apolwar 14 years ago

Originally Posted by Frank Ayres

i don't understand why Americans seem to use College and University as the same thing?

In UK College and university are 2 totally different things

Can you elaborate on that sir? I went to a University and I got a degree in the college of engineering. Is that want you mean?
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- myob 14 years ago
  
  I went to a university where they had a school of business and economics. Got my Phd in the shed out back.
  
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  JBorhez 14 years ago
  
  I would definitely go back. My university experience was priceless. I didn't use my degree for anything in the real world but nevertheless.
  
  Originally Posted by myob
  
  I went to a university where they had a school of business and economics. Got my Phd in the shed out back.
  
  Excuse me.
  
  Originally Posted by lcombs
  
  If I were a multi-millionaire I'd be a professional student.
  
  Me too.
  
  Zach: Where in SM are you?
  
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Scott Kennedy

14 years ago

I would absolutely go again. Currently doing my honors and planning to do a Ph.D. A lot of people can't and don't make it in this business. University provides you with a back up plan if you decide to make IM your full time career. It also teaches you how to learn, something which a lot of people fail at.

Don't be fooled by the stories and WSO claims of newbie "morons" making $10k a month doing little to no work. It takes A LOT of TIME and DEDICATION to even earn $100 a month if you're new to this industry. There are so many variables out of your control which ultimately dictate whether or not you're able to put food on your family's table. This can been seen with the recent Panda update.

Go to school. Go to university. It's one of the greatest experiences of your life. Never again will you have the same social and academic atmosphere all rolled into one.

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spearce000

14 years ago

Sadly, when I was a student the Internet was a closely-guarded Cold War secret. I'm glad I went - I studied Film & TV Production at the University of Houston - and my education hasn't been wasted by any means. The technology may have changed completely since the 1980's, but I still rely on knowledge I acquired back then every day.

That said, if I was 18 now, I probably wouldn't wouldn't go into further education – especially as students graduate with so much debt nowadays. I would start my own online business, and develop the skills required in a more unstructured way.

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gskesavan

14 years ago

If he can't surely decide it means he should go to college. When I didn't wanna go to college, I knew it for sure. Till the day he knows it, he should be attending his academic classes.

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NWJewelry

14 years ago

I wish I had started my business when I had started college and maybe do both of them part time. I think college is an important back up plan to ones dream job.

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NOSLEEPATALL

14 years ago

Originally Posted by NWJewelry

I wish I had started my business when I had started college and maybe do both of them part time. I think college is an important back up plan to ones dream job.

When I went to College it was for Computer Studies. Was in the early days and Win 98 was the main OS everyone was using. The teachers all insisted 3.11 was the best and refused to believe Win 98 was going to last.

Needless to say I left that school pronto :rolleyes:

Same held true with Tech School cause Win2000 was just being released and Teacher was insisting Win 98 was end all be all. Only thing I learned was teachers only teach what they know and thats not much at times

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CDarklock

14 years ago

Originally Posted by ZachWaldman

What do you think?

I treasure my two years of college, and lament not finishing the last two.

I have every intention of going back... someday.

Always did. It was always "just a couple more years."

The right time never arrives.

Now I'm going to go to college and be twice everyone else's age.

If I go at all, which I still say I will, but seriously I've been saying that for over 20 years.

I can't have the experience of finishing college in my late teens and early twenties. Ever. Not gonna happen.

And it's that experience that really matters. The rest is just paper. And yeah, I still want the paper... but the experience is what I lament not having.

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SillyGinger

14 years ago

I'm not sure whether I would advise to go again or not? I think it all depends on the field you are studying in and if the degree would be beneficial. I find a lot of people these days (in the UK) are deciding not to go into further education as they see first hand a lot of people slaving away for 4 years, possibly 5 to get an honours degree only to find there are no jobs. Also with the tuition fees going up now in the UK i think we will see a lot of people deciding against further education... really, who can afford £6000 a year?

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pettersmith

14 years ago

I always miss my college very, I always remembering all my college days chatting with friends and always shouting in the class room. late night study one day before of the exam. also late night party with friends, that life was awesome.

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Kevin Williams

14 years ago

I liked college - I found it enjoyable. I would go to learn about things for fun once more, but I would never attend to try to find a 'job' again.

Honestly, apart from the experience, all of the knowledge can be found online from places like iTunes U.

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Leveragist

14 years ago

Having worked through my undergrad years, I would tell the 18-year-old to get the college degree and find time for his passion on the side at the same time. Who says you have to choose one or the other? At that age, they have so much energy that they CAN handle more than one thing at a time.

Do the 4 years, it'll fly by. At that age, most people are still figuring it out. That's part of what the college experience offers. Instead of wasting time going to frat parties and such, he can use that time on "what he really wants to do". The college years give you time to figure it out. At a minimum, you'll come out with a degree that'll keep you out of minimum wage jobs.

Yes, tuition is expensive. It is an investment. And like all investments, you have to choose wisely. I would definitely suggest going to a public institution. Do NOT waste money going to a private university. I don't care if it is a prestigious school. Don't do it. Go to the local public university. Having a degree from an expensive or prestigious school does not guarantee success. You'll just come out with a large student loan to pay off. And remember, student loans cannot be discharged in Bankruptcy, but I digress. . .

Having a degree gives you more options. More options give you breathing room while you pursue your passion. How many people do we know put their passion on the backburner because they're just surviving (trying to support themselves and their family)? You cannot concentrate on your "passion" if you don't know whether you're gonna make rent next month.

I know when I was struggling financially, I couldn't even think about what I really wanted to do. Once I was past my financial troubles, that's when my creative juices really flowed. Financial stability freed up my mind.

My $.02.

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Steven Wagenheim

14 years ago

I have not one but two college degrees.

Know what they got me?

NOTHING!

If I had it to do all over again, I would have learned a trade like plumbing or
electrician. Know what kind of money those guys make?

College, for me, was a total waste of my time and I regret the 6 years I wasted
of my life. It would have been different if I wanted to be something where a
college degree was mandatory, like being a teacher. But I got degrees in
marketing and finance.

Hell...I couldn't even get a job as a bank teller after graduating.

And before anybody tells me that marketing helped me with my IM career,
forget it. What I learned in marketing didn't prepare me for what I was
getting myself into online.

College...the big lie.

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Virginia M. Clemmons

14 years ago

Wow, I do understand both sides here. I can see college/university being a waste of time and the cost not being worth it.

Since I attended a vocational/technical college, I did have the option to go for a 2 year degree first and only if I wanted to I could go another 2 years to get a Bachelors degree. I've decided to stop at the Associate Degree for now.

I'm glad I didn't have to take a bunch of classes I didn't need. Most of what I've learned I still use today.

So yes, I would go back again but probably not at the same school.

Giving my point of view,
Virginia Clemmons

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NOSLEEPATALL

14 years ago

Originally Posted by Virginia M. Clemmons

Wow, I do understand both sides here. I can see college/university being a waste of time and the cost not being worth it.

Since I attended a vocational/technical college, I did have the option to go for a 2 year degree first and only if I wanted to I could go another 2 years to get a Bachelors degree. I've decided to stop at the Associate Degree for now.

I'm glad I didn't have to take a bunch of classes I didn't need. Most of what I've learned I still use today.

So yes, I would go back again but probably not at the same school.

Giving my point of view,
Virginia Clemmons

I to did the Tech School deal and it taught me tons more than the College did. However the Degree doesn't seem to hold any weight when you show it to perspective jobs

May Brother has a Masters Degree in Metal Arts and my Grandfather was a High School Principal but I still think College is a wast of time :rolleyes:

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Thomas Smale

14 years ago

Originally Posted by Steven Wagenheim

I have not one but two college degrees.

Know what they got me?

NOTHING!

If I had it to do all over again, I would have learned a trade like plumbing or
electrician. Know what kind of money those guys make?

College, for me, was a total waste of my time and I regret the 6 years I wasted
of my life. It would have been different if I wanted to be something where a
college degree was mandatory, like being a teacher. But I got degrees in
marketing and finance.

Hell...I couldn't even get a job as a bank teller after graduating.

And before anybody tells me that marketing helped me with my IM career,
forget it. What I learned in marketing didn't prepare me for what I was
getting myself into online.

College...the big lie.

Lol... I hear ya!

About half of my friends went to Uni (College) in the UK and now they've graduated 75% are unemployed. Don't forget the nice they've built up as well.

The other half all went into trades like plumbing, building etc and they ALL have jobs (paying pretty well) now.

I got a pretty good degree from one of the best Universities in the UK... but as you say hardly of it has been helpful when actually applying to my own REAL business. Uni just sets you up for the corporate world of bull**** and office politics.

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myob 14 years ago

Most definitely, absolutely, indubitably, no ifs ands or buts about it, positively, manifestly, unequivocally yes I would do it all again.

Aside from the academics, the experience itself gives you a perspective obtainable in no other way. Many 18 year olds seem to sputter around during those years, when finishing their education should be their priority.

With some exceptions of course, even those who have experienced early success quite often regret not having obtained at least an undergraduate degree.

I would advise the young wrestler with aspirations for becoming a martial artist that the mind also is an integral part of achievement in the martial arts. Besides, with especially these times we're in, it demands such minimum credentials.
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HeySal

14 years ago

I agree - get the education. You can always use more knowledge. There is a whole world existing beyond what you know without it. I got my degree (what Brits call University) in a field that there's more to know than most people know there IS to know. That kind of knowledge gives you an edge from the other side you can't see from this one.

What if you decide that you don't want to always work online? Anything can happen after all. Look what is happening with Amazon in some states. You just never know. Having that education might mean the difference between feeding yourself and going hungry some day. It will also make you better at what you do online whether you can tell how from this side of the fence or not. Education, if nothing else allows you to think objectively and logically about situations and ideas.

I'm going to be taking an online course again pretty soon. Even at my age, if I could just go back I would. Sometime I might be able to do that just fine, too.

If someone were to ask me what the negatives are to having an education - I wouldn't be able to find one.

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synergyxtr

14 years ago

I think taking the time out just to think what course will be good. Since later on you don't want to be stuck in something you don't really want to do.

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marciayudkin 14 years ago

i don't understand why Americans seem to use College and University as the same thing?

In UK College and university are 2 totally different things

In the US, the only difference between college and university is whether or not the institution has a graduate school. If the institution gives out masters degrees and/or PhDs, it is a university. If it gives out only bachelors degrees, it is a college.

What makes for a bit of confusion is that sometimes the same institution may have colleges within it but is a university as a whole. For example, you may have graduated from Harvard College with a B.A. but Harvard University refers to the whole bundle of institutions under the Harvard name, including all the graduate schools.

Marcia Yudkin
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- marciayudkin 14 years ago
  
  I suspect that many people's answer to this question will be influenced by whether they had a Liberal Arts education, as I did, or were more narrowly focused on occupational learning.
  
  In my opinion, the latter is pretty useless in the long run, except for helping you get your first job. However, the former is extremely useful because it teaches you how to think and affects everything from your ability to make reasonable voting decisions as a citizen to cocktail-party chatter and leisure pursuits (attending concerts or theater, reading good literature) and to being able to learn new things as an adult, like languages or computer stuff.
  
  My undergraduate education is something I would never begrudge or want to wipe away.
  
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SeekingNothing 14 years ago

Speaking as someone with 95 credits under his belt and no degree, I'd say that it depends on what you want.

College/university, like everything else in the world, works well when you know what you want and just need some guidance on how to get there. And even better when you know how to get there.

If I ever go back I'd definitely go to a large university. The best part of the experience is the people you meet and the social atmosphere. Many of my closest and dearest friends are from my college years (I left at the end of 08) and I wouldn't trade them for anything.

I'd recommend against doing what I did and going to a community college for the first two years. The bigger schools are where you'll actually meet and be challenged to grow socially. And a socially mature person is worth their weight in gold these days.

With that said, Zach, your young friend has a serious choice ahead of him. I'd say the other posters who suggest doing both are probably backing the smart play. Athletics is a wonderful field for those with the talent to be the best of the best and the resiliency not to get permanently injured. And you will need a backup profession.

If I were asked I'd suggest he research schools with good athletics and backed up with a job in a growth field if he can find one he really likes. Smaller or even shrinking industries can work well as well if he has a crazy passion for them. Sports medicine is never a bad choice if you're an athlete yourself and it's a career that sticks around even after you're unable to compete.

I do wish him the best of luck either way. It's a big crazy world.
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- JohnMcCabe 14 years ago
  
  I'm old enough to remember when tech schools used to be called "vo-techs" for vocational/technical schools. You went to one to learn a trade so you could make a living doing something beyond manual labor.
  
  Then the educational snobs got involved and convinced a lot of people that a certificate from a vo-tech sentenced the holder to life as a second class citizen.
  
  So, to fight back, the vo-techs and private business and tech schools started calling themselves "colleges", with degrees you could earn in six months is things like hair dressing, plumbing, drafting, file clerking, etc. Honorable trades and honest work, but not the same thing as a university degree.
  
  I'll climb off my soap box before I get this thread nuked...
  
  Would I do it again? Absotively, posolutely and beyond the merest suggestion of a shadow of a doubt.
  
  Zach, in your 'friend's' case , I'd keep the backup plan. In something like MMA, or any other pursuit where retirement is one injury away, having something to fall back on is essential.
  
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tks

14 years ago

I prefer go college again if I get a chance. I got lots of friends for life during my college days apart from education.

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Rod Cortez

14 years ago

I completely understand both sides because I'm a firm believer that a person can be a success without going to a University. One can also become self-educated without attending an institution as well.

But speaking only for myself, if I had to do it all over again, I would still go to college - I'd do it in a New York minute. The way I did it was I attended a 4 year university, flunked out my first year, then attended a junior college for about 3 years, then transferred to another different 4 year university.

I believe that our colleges still have something good to offer. I also believe you get out of college whatever you put into it and though I graduated with barely a C average, I learned far more than my grades would ever show.

I learned how to network, sharpened my social skills, learned how to deal with professionials, how to apply for scholarships, and built a good foundation on my critical thinking skills. Being forced to study does have some merit since not everyone has the discipline to self educate themselves.

I'd do it all over again in a heartbeat. Though I realize college is not everybody and it's a personal decision that only that individual can make.

RoD

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Mike Mendell

14 years ago

Absolutely not.

Going to school fills your head with all sorts of nonsense. "Go to school. Get a job. Work your ass off for the next 40 years making someone ELSE rich."

That doesn't fly with me. I'm all about giving back to society through my own products and services that I create myself. No salary limit, no corporate red tape, no boss

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NOSLEEPATALL

14 years ago

Originally Posted by Rod Cortez

I completely understand both sides because I'm a firm believer that a person can be a success without going to a University. One can also become self-educated without attending an institution as well.

But speaking only for myself, if I had to do it all over again, I would still go to college - I'd do it in a New York minute. The way I did it was I attended a 4 year university, flunked out my first year, then attended a junior college for about 3 years, then transferred to another different 4 year university.

I believe that our colleges still have something good to offer. I also believe you get out of college whatever you put into it and though I graduated with barely a C average, I learned far more than my grades would ever show.

I learned how to network, sharpened my social skills, learned how to deal with professionials, how to apply for scholarships, and built a good foundation on my critical thinking skills. Being forced to study does have some merit since not everyone has the discipline to self educate themselves.

I'd do it all over again in a heartbeat. Though I realize college is not everybody and it's a personal decision that only that individual can make.

RoD

Originally Posted by Mike Mendell

Absolutely not.

Going to school fills your head with all sorts of nonsense. "Go to school. Get a job. Work your ass off for the next 40 years making someone ELSE rich."

That doesn't fly with me. I'm all about giving back to society through my own products and services that I create myself. No salary limit, no corporate red tape, no boss

Both of these pretty much touch on what I learned in School.
The school taught me a lot of stuff I had no need to learn or remember but about 85% or more classes taught ask Google. Even when I took my Sisco Cert test Google was the answer to where to look for answers

So a ton of it is can you figure out and learn or find the answers yourself without studying from a book and remembering for a test the next day :rolleyes:

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The General Public

14 years ago

I would go to school again for the experience. The friends I met there will likely be the friends I have for the rest of my life. But would I do it for anything I learned. Not a chance. I spent over 100,000 on tuition and owe about 35k in student loans, to learn absolutely nothing. Sure I got a diploma, but did I do anything that would actually help me in life after college, nope.

I think US colleges are one of the biggest scams in the nation today.

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weblink29

14 years ago

I would like to go back to college or tech school to learn more about java, php, css, advanced image editing, animation, video editing, etc. Things I could use for online promotion. I'm self taught with html and photoshop. I'd like to advance my knowledge in those areas.

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alimnab

14 years ago

Why not have the best of both worlds ?

With College / Universities having degrees in almost anything nowadays ; 18 year old can take a degree in a related field ; like sports training etc ; while still doing what he like ; a mixed martial artist.

At his age ; he will have the energy and drive to handle both.

Come 4 - 5 years ; he has both a degree in his field of interest and made himself a martial artist.

Win - Win

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JamesGw

14 years ago

I like college. I think I'd continue going even if I make a crapload of money doing IM. It's just what I like to do.

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Emoney

14 years ago

Went to university, got a degree in marketing, got me no where!

I wouldn't go again, nor do I recommend anyone go ever! Instead of getting in severe debt for 4-5 years, you can start your own business/site. If you go for the "experience" then go right ahead, join the rest of the clowns who just want to mess around and meet "cool people." Bleh

School is nonsense and wasteful..

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BenJackson

14 years ago

As someone who is currently working on a degree and running an online business, I have to say that it can be very hard to see the value in the degree. So far, I have taught myself everything I know about being successful in "the real world" and school has taught me everything I need to pass it's classes :/

My IM and College (university whatever

) experiences have been day & night. School is easy, I can study for 30 mins and pass any test (no, I don't go to a lousy university). Working online - I have to work my butt off for every dollar I make. The result: I have little respect for the "education" I receive from one of these pursuits...guess which one :/

In our society, it is incredibly hard to shake the association between success and having a degree(s). It is a seed planted in our heads and nurtured from the time we are very young - successful people do well in school, they go to college, they are successful in life. I know my opinion has thus far been quite negative on college, but I am just not willing to ignore some plain truths in front of me and pretend it's going to be a super-worthwhile expenditure of my time and money. Regardless, I will be graduating and obtaining my degree, for my parents if nothing else. And then I will start/continue my business based on the experiences and knowledge I have provided for myself, and maybe utilizing some connections I have made through the university. We will see in time

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NOSLEEPATALL 14 years ago

Actually just sat back and thought about it for a minute. My fathers side of the family there is 2 PHD's and a Assistant DA in Laguna Beach Ca. My mothers side there are 2 PHD's and my cousin that maxed out Rutgers on a double major with Math and 2 foreign languages! Not to mention all the other degrees my brother and cousins have.

I went to Vo-Tech to be a Machinist just to have all the jobs go to China

I also watch all these people with Degrees not even be able to change the tire on a car much less set up an email account. So I have to wonder how smart they are even though they have a 4 year Degree :confused:
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Gclunis

14 years ago

I'm actually a current college student (going into my second year at Pace University in NYC) and I honestly believe that I made the right decision in choosing to go through the 4 years.

I started my IM business in highschool (senior year) and I chose to go to college for a few reasons.

1) The valuable life long connections with students, professors, advisors that you make
2.) The dedication and determination that you gain by graduating
3.) It allowed me to relocate to NYC :p

During my first semester I was honestly wondering if I was doing the right thing because I know that if I had the time to run my business full time all year long I would get ALOT more accomplished. But i really thought about it and realized that college provides me with a way to learn some valuable information (such as economics (micro and macro) and college standard essay (article) writing) and it gives me a way to connect with other like minded individuals as well as business owners and professors.

Not to mention holding an executive board position in clubs such as RHA (residence hall association) gives me alot of experience with leadership and event planning/set up. Also since I am trying to run a business while in school it teaches me valuable time management skills.

Overall I think I made the right decision.

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Fazal Mayar

14 years ago

probably but school isnt for everyone but i will admit having a good salary is great stuff in the long term but I still like Im

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ladywriter

14 years ago

Yes-- IMO it's an important bridge between being a kid and being an adult.

It was a safe place to experiment, get to know myself, and get used to solving problems without parental involvement. Thanks to general education requirements, I learned things I would not have learned on my own.

I do think it's a luxury, but it's a luxury I would recommend to most. And I say that as someone who has a LOT of student loans and wasn't employed in the subject my degree is in.

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Ross Vegas 14 years ago

Ya know, I'm connected to this story in a couple ways...

Once upon a time, I was about -> <- that close to being a professional skateboarder.

(that's the younger me below...)

Every kid in town either knew me or had heard of me from my skating.

It was what I did every single day after school until it was too dark...even then I'd try to keep going under the nearest streetlight. I did NOTHING else.

Except that...

I had it in my head that I had to go to college, because I got great grades and nobody in my family had made it through university.

At 18 I applied and went to your dominant football rival school USF.

In hindsight, I wish I had hit the road to skate in california and never looked back.

BUT

Now I have a ton of skills and multiple degrees that basically give me freedom to do whatever I feel like for the rest of my life. (3yrs of computer engineering, Accounting & Marketing B.S.)

Plus friendships that may last forever.

AND

In my opinion, your pal should already know if he can make it. Even though I didn't choose my other path, there was little doubt in anyone's mind whether I coulda made it.

Furthermore, my bro-in law is a 3 time state wrestling champ and trains boxing directly under some famous trainer, and trains MMA under Matt Arroyo (UFC fighter), has purple belt in Krav Mgraw, wins tourneys in BJJ, and will most likely NOT be going pro. It's a super competitive sport where most folks have been training bjj, wrestling, boxing etc. their entire lives. (not even going to get into the near requirement of certain PE drugs.)

Not to mention there's a second tier of that sport where your marketability plays a role in getting the big fights.

He better know for darn sure what he's getting into.

Last thought, if he does decide to stick with it he's also got to pay for the in-between time - so he better enjoy the service industry (or have a trust-fund).
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Rob Maggs

14 years ago

I went to University in my late 20's as a mature student to do a degree in Computing and to be honest, it was a great choice especially after spending years doing "nothing" jobs beforehand. When I graduated, contracting made me about $1200 a week and that was 13 years ago. The wages in IT subsequently dropped as the market became more saturated with graduates, but the whole experience got me into the learning mindset and this has significantly influenced and helped me with software design and my Internet marketing career.

I think if I hadn't gone to University then I'd most probably be doing a "cruddy" warehouse job now and wouldn't be self-employed and making the money I currently am. It was the best choice I made with regards to furthering my career and I'd encourage anyone else to do the same, it's not just about the degree either, it's about the contacts that you make and the relationships you build. It really opens you up to opportunity and all you have to do is embrace it.

There's my 2 cents

Cheers

Rob

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Charlotte Jay

14 years ago

*whispers* I never went. I came to the US at 17 with no college fund as my parents had never planned on moving here.

But I do want to go when my kids are older just to do a fun degree. I don't want a career at the end of it. Is that bad? lol My IM will hopefully pay for it all so I won't be stuck with a loan from Sallie Awful Mae.

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buckeyes09 14 years ago

Yes, I would go back and major in finance and entrepreneurship, instead of political science and history. Assuming, of course, I know what I know now.
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HigherPrThanGod

14 years ago

Due to the government guaranteed student loans and declining testing standards, colleges and universities have little value anymore.

The volume of students going into college and now graduating with degrees has lessened the value of a college degree.

Consequently you have people graduating who have 50k and up to 200k in loans that they will not be able to pay back WITH their education.

The cost of education is skyrocketing because of the government assistance. For without the government assistance, tuition and book prices WOULD HAVE TO COME DOWN in order to get anyone in.

So no, I do not currently recommend going into college. You're better off getting kids to learn how the internet and technologies work and maybe go out and get an A+, Net+ or MCSE and using it either for yourself or for an employer. It's unfortunate we decided to ruin our educational system, but I didn't do it lol

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buckeyes09

14 years ago

Originally Posted by HigherPrThanGod

Due to the government guaranteed student loans and declining testing standards, colleges and universities have little value anymore.

The volume of students going into college and now graduating with degrees has lessened the value of a college degree.

Consequently you have people graduating who have 50k and up to 200k in loans that they will not be able to pay back WITH their education.

It's more than just that. Certainly, government backed loans (which are non-bankruptable) have not helped, but in what people major matters as well.

Today, there's not a market for liberal arts grads. Unless you have work experience somewhere, have a contact, or are a great hustler, LA majors have a very difficult time finding work.

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HigherPrThanGod

14 years ago

Originally Posted by buckeyes09

It's more than just that. Certainly, government backed loans (which are non-bankruptable) have not helped, but in what people major matters as well.

Today, there's not a market for liberal arts grads. Unless you have work experience somewhere, have a contact, or are a great hustler, LA majors have a very difficult time finding work.

Yes, you're right. I have an associates degree in computer technology. I've used it to make money and gotten some jobs with it, but quite honestly I just use the knowledge for myself and in my own office.

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buckeyes09

14 years ago

Originally Posted by HigherPrThanGod

Yes, you're right. I have an associates degree in computer technology. I've used it to make money and gotten some jobs with it, but quite honestly I just use the knowledge for myself and in my own office.

Yeah, your degree might be more employable than mine, because computer technology is at least a skill. An Associate's in CS&E is probably more employable than a BA (at least in the short term).

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MatthewNeer

14 years ago

What a great thread man. And you post some interesting points as well. Lemme give you a piece of my story.

I dropped out of college when I was 20.

Reason why is because I discovered Internet Marketing and I saw the massive potential that it held. I always hated work, which led me to getting fired from my Pizza Delivery job for drinkin' some beer on the job. LOL

Therefore, I created a situation for myself which was basically do well with IM or I don't eat. And lemme say, thats some pretty damn good motivation. Forces you to figure out what works and what doesnt pretty darn quick.

Also, what you said about having a backup or fallback plan is stupid. I believe that sets you up for failure because it subconsciously programs your mind to think... "Oh, I don't have to really try at my dream because I can always go back to this..."

Nah, F*CK THAT!

Chase your dreams, stay HUNGRY, and you WILL get there. I guarantee it!

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lovemy

14 years ago

The only thing I would change would be my relationship status. I dated a girl for a year and a half (and out of five years of college that’s alot) that I wouldn’t do if I went again.

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Clayton Rice

14 years ago

College is expected in the United States and that is kinda sad. I'm in school right now, but not because I want to be or because I think its necessary. I feel like I can prove myself in any field with the proper training, but most companies don't agree with me.

I'm making plenty of money right now and I hope I don't even need my degree after I finish it next year. My advice to kids in high school? Go to college as soon as you finish high school and don't waste time. Do school in the summer if you can afford it. My advise to older folks? Take classes at night or on the weekends if you want, a degree goes by pretty fast and you will be done in a matter of time if you stay focused on don't drop classes.

Best wishes to everyone!

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hardraysnight 14 years ago

I never went to uni the first time.

Age 17, I was offered the chance to live my dream. I took it and achieved relative success. We knew it wouldn't last forever. I now work 4 hours a day five months a year and have a comfortable life style and ongoing residuals. My working class parents asked me to consider uni as my second option. We now agree we made a worthy choice.

I feel no need to attend a university, although I am assured there is a very high grade of graffiti available in such institutes of higher learning.
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Black Hat Cat Banned 14 years ago

Would I do it again? Ummm, yeah, like yesterday.
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- fluffythewondercat 14 years ago
  
  I wouldn't advise anyone returning to school in the U.S. today who lacks a firm belief in the infallibility of professors.
  
  That and about $250,000 is all that's required to get in. Your return on investment, however, is likely to be poor.
  
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jgant

14 years ago

College (in the U.S. sense of the word) was amazing. Loved it and will never regret it.

If I were 18 today, and had discovered this online marketing gig, I'd probably drink a little less beer and spend a little of that time doing IM ... but not too much IM because the lively college years only come around once in a lifetime.

Jeez, this IM gig would have been spectacular coin in college. I would have saved myself many trips to the plasma donation center (had to pay rent).

Anyway, I ended up getting post graduate degrees as well (couldn't let go of the student lifestyle) and now work in a profession, which said profession resulted in my discovering online marketing. A long circuitous road to finding online marketing which I love.

In the meantime I will always have a ticket to work in a paying field so I can wander afield and pursue the dream knowing I have a backup option to put food on the table (other than giving more plasma).

To directly answer your question, if your friend HATES school and would never want any job a college degree can get (whatever that is), then why bother? I think too many people go to college and university because of pressure. That said, it's valuable to gain specific skills or get certifications of some sort that are in demand. If not a college degree, a trade, certificate, or something where you can jump into a field when necessary and earn a decent check.

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chasnsx

14 years ago

You better believe I would go to college again -- but this time instead of dropping out of aerospace engineering, coming out with a history degree and going to law school, I would double major in marketing and behavioral science, and in behavioral science I would do an emphasis in buyer psychology.

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Anonymous Affiliate

14 years ago

There have been plenty of threads on this topic. And, as someone who got his 5-year superior degree in Business Administration, my answer is always the same:

From a social, party, girls, booze, etc point of view I had an awesome time back in my college years.
From an educational point of view, if I compare the inputs (5 years of serious studying) with the output (outdated theoretical knowledge that I've never applied to any real-world business scenario), then I must conclude that it was a big waste of time.

So, would I go again to college? nop, I wouldnt. You dont need to study dull theories for 5 years (and to pay tens of thousands of dollars) to have a rich social life through your early 20s, thank you very much.

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Brad789

14 years ago

Everyone is different. Tought to have a one size fits all answer.

My response would be shaped by the kid I am speaking with. Some of us needed the time to grow up. We also needed more training in how to learn.

This is important for a lot of reasons. Next important is that while you are in school - most of us had to work. Why not be in internet marketing?

Business schools do have some practical value. Marketing, accounting, business management and advertising to name a few. The professors who want to draw a large class consistently - and make their own advancement more likely - have to stay relevant to their markets as well.

My marketing prof was real big in consulting and always had some great insights into P&G or GM when he returned from a summer break.

The odd person can drop out or never go and has the "umph" to make it work out. Many don't. It isn't so much going to college - it is what we do with our time there and what we do with the schooling once we leave.

Lots of chances to grow in either option.

I think if I had it to do again I would set up a internet business and work it on the side to make the utility and book payments. Apply what I could from class and then have some experience as well as book learning under my belt once I graduated.

What do you thing about the long term value of your schooling?????

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ajspencersolutions

14 years ago

Truth is college is a business and they don't give a crap if you want to major in something that will have no jobs. They will sign you up. CUZ THEY WANT TO MAKE MONEY! Anything else they could care less. It's a business people. And a great place to pick up VD and a drug habit. How about educate yourself and use your thought power to make change.

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equal

14 years ago

Everyone is different, I'm still in there and like that.

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Jimmy Reilly

14 years ago

Originally Posted by ZachWaldman

I was a good college student and I'm glad I went. I graduated from the University of Central Florida in 1996.

However, I make my living as a performer and a marketer. Sometimes I wonder if I wouldn't be more successful if I had those four years to concentrate just on comedy.

I partially bring this up because I know an 18 year old wrestler that's training to be a mixed martial artist. He's trying to decide if he wants to put off college for a couple of years to concentrate on what he really wants to do.

My responsible side says to tell him to finish college first. However, my life experience makes me wonder if people aren't just better off not having a fall-back plan. That way, they have to be successful at what they're passionate about.

What do you think? Any college grads here wish they started their IM business during high school and just skipped the extra four years?

What would you tell an 18 year old with a dream?

By the way, the extra life experiences I had in school probably ultimately helped my comedy. Not only that, the dedication it took to complete a degree is likely responsible for me having discipline. Motivating yourself to take action might be easier for people that completed their degrees.

Thoughts?

Dropping out of school at 17 was one of the best moves I ever made. It would be hypocritical of me to advise anyone different.

- Reilly

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Roaddog

14 years ago

This again.

No way man... that seven years of high school just burned me out...

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dagaul101

14 years ago

I think we would all love the chance to go back and do things differently, but without some of life lessons we wouldn't be the people we are now, or indeed here now

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sylviad

14 years ago

If you would not do well by going through college now, then I say delay it. Let's face it. How effective can anyone be in college when they really don't want to be there? And especially if they have something else they enjoy doing that provides the potential to make money.

I left high school at age 16 with a barely passing Grade 10 diploma. I hated school and just didn't do well. When I left, all I knew was office work - typing, filing. After 23 years, I realized my limitations in not having more education (no chance for advancement or higher pay). By then, I had a better idea of what I would enjoy. So I signed up for a 3-year college degree course and did extremely well, passing with honors, awards - etc.

Had I struggled to enter college when I was 16, I likely wouldn't have made it.

It's really a personal decision, however, based on the individual. Some of us can fight through the tough decisions (working at something you do not enjoy to achieve a certain end goal) while others of us cannot, or they do with less than ideal end results.

Keep in mind that you can always go to college and extend your education. I was almost 40 when I graduated college and began a whole new career in something I truly enjoyed... and was naturally good at.

Sylvia

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Justin Finkelstein

14 years ago

I think I would go to college again. However, if I had a burning desire to do something like become a Pro Mixed Martial Artist and was committed to training 100% of the time, then I may pursue the dream.

However, is there anything that says your friend can not do both?

I would say if he is asking the question, then he is not 100% sure and college is the safe bet.

Just an uninformed opinion. BTW, Zach, I see that this post is 4 months old. What decision did he make?

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Bekah Howard

14 years ago

Quick disclaimer: Everyone has to make their own decisions and should never push the responsibility of those decisions on anyone else.

Ok, with that said I can honestly say:

Yes, I would have gone to college/university, but

No, I would not have gone towards a degree.

Basically, my college years made me who I am today. From a social standpoint I am a completely different person from the High School me, and I met some of my best lifelong friends (and my Husband) because of college.

With that said, I would have instead just taken classes that taught skills/ideas that would help me rather than classes that were "required".

For example, as and elective I took a basic programming class and I wish I would have done more of them. I found the programming language we used easy to learn and apply in the classroom setting (I haven't been able to learn any more outside of a classroom). However, another class I took was "literary film adaptations" (basically, a class on how good directors did at making books into movies). That class had nothing to do with my major, and is only "applicable to life" if I feel like having "intellectual" discussions with other about books to film - overall worthless.

Summary: The college experience was personally valuable and some of the classes were very valuable from an educational standpoint. However, the degree itself was not worth it and required a lot of pointless classes.

However, in the case of your friend then he could get the "college experience" in his training with other of his age... I have never been in a similar experience so I can't really give any good advice to him.

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buckeyes09

14 years ago

Originally Posted by Ken_Caudill

Who needs an education when you can earn hundreds of thousands of dollars with the purchase of a $47 business method?

Most people haven't seen the light.

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apolwar

14 years ago

I would if I had the money, the time and all necessities I could think of.

Probably take a psychology course.

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lcombs

14 years ago

If I were a multi-millionaire I'd be a professional student.

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Sunfyre7896

14 years ago

I made the mistake of not going to a junior college for my basic courses. So after a year and a half and flunking because I wasn't mature enough to go to class, I was put on probation. I decided to take time off until I was ready to come back and figure out what I wanted to major in since I'd changed it 4 or 5 times before that. I took off for just over 4 years or so, then decided what I wanted to do and to go back. People always say that if you stop, you won't go back. Well, if you have no motivation, are lazy, and you are a zombie without a brain, then I can see that. In fact, I have motivational issues and am consistently lazy, but I realized the importance of getting a degree when looking for jobs during those 4 years. Needless to say, I went back, got off probation and carried a 3.5 GPA after going back, but because of my 1.7 leaving, I only graduated with a 2.95. Almost made it back in the 3's. Dang.

As for would I go back. Yes, most absolutely. It was a great time in my life. It led me to be more sociable and meet many new people my age and even older from all over the world and across many cultures. The learning in most cases was good and sometimes even fun if I was interested. I recommend it for anyone unless you absolutely know you will succeed at something that doesn't require a degree. Even for college athletes, I recommend that if you're not going to stay and decide to go pro, to at least do what many pros have done and go back and finish your degree. Everyone can use this later on for various reasons and at the very least it's an accomplishment no one can take away from you and demonstrates to yourself and others you have the determination to stick it out and finish something of difficulty that matters.