Thinking about dropping out...

Derek, I'm so sorry. FWIW it has happened to all of us at some point and we recover and go on. It sounds cliche and trite but it's part of living. You will get stronger from the experience.
Consider your options clearly. By this I mean take some time to talk to your friends first. I know they have moved but just talk to them. Get your mind cleared and decide where you will feel happy and WHY you think you will enjoy moving to a new pathway.
At this point follow your gut, not your heart. I had the best time of my life in the Navy. War an all, I would not trade the life altering experiences for anything. What a rush! It was work, yes, hard work, but worth it.
If you feel college is for you then transfer for new scenery and friends and stick with it. From what I've read to date your a standup man and the world is ahead of you. You will contribute greatly to whatever you choose in life.

 

cmon bro, you have to be realistic here and accept this as a chapter of your life. A life thats going to be full of ups and downs that we can control to an extent. Its the part that we can't control that brings us to these downhill slumps. If joining the military is something you are seriously considering be prepared for some friendships you will make that will compare to no other friendships youve ever had. its really and incredible thing

 

i literally went through the exact thing as you my second semester in college. girlfriend broke up with me, hated college and home. wanted to join the air force. i was dead set that the air force was my ticket out. there are opportunities in the air force especially if you want to get your degree while in the air force.

but know this, if and when you join. you are truly making a commitment to your country. theres no "i quit" when you hate it. plus, you have to be willing to want to lay your life down for you country, if need be, without hesitation. are you ready for that kind of job requirement?

i settled down a little, took some time, and finished my degree. couldn't be happier. id still love to join the air force but i make too much money doing what i love. no sense in leaving now. all in all its your decision, im sorry you gf dumped you and things are going so well. but let things calm down and then look at your options. good luck man.

 

Derek, DO NOT give up on college. Friends come and go and you have us

Breaking up sucks - no doubt about it, but do not make any major decisions now. Wait until at least the 1st of the year....

Spend the next several months thinking about what you want to do "when you grow up". If that is to join the military, then go for it (it's not for everybody) after thinking about it for awhile.

After you have had time to think about what you want to do, then you will be able to go for it. There are all kinds of loans, grants, scholarships to help pay for college...

We're hear for you... pm if you need/want to talk

 

Dude...I've been in your shoes, I'm sure we all have at one point. This is how I got over it.

You have no friends because you had a girlfriend. You need to get laid before the 5-on-1/fist rape/5 knuckle shuffle is all you have. Luckily, you are in that blip of time known as 'the college years'

Step 1: Quit being a little bitch. This may take effect immediately or may involve copious amounts of solo alcohol and jimmy eat world (what I did). Whatever just get this part done.
Step 2: Join a club/intramural/frat. The order is important, I would say the frat being your last resort..simply because of the money. Others may disagree
Step 3. Meet some bitches.
Step 4. Get your dick wet.
Step 5. Repeat 3-4. Repeatedly.
Step 6. Intern for at least a year before you graduate. The longer the better.

Savor this special time of your life. Everyone wants to graduate ASAP but immediately look back fondly on "the college years" while trying to get a job.

Leaving and joining the armed forces you are literally throwing away a badass opportunity. The economy is so bad right now you have the best excuse in the world to spend 4-6yrs in school. No one is gonna hire your ass anyway.

TRUST ME. My name is Derek too! I'd give my left nut and my Tacoma to go back and do it all over again. Without a doubt it was the hardest thing I have ever accomplished while simultaneously being the most fun I have ever had. I just wish I was 20-21 again...so much poon..

 

I was in the same boat.. My older brother graduate from AI, I got incompletes in school a few years ago. Now I am a supervisor in Geek Squad because like your son, computers is a natural. I also am a rep for Best Buy for Business in sales. I have an interview coming up with a software company called Oracle. So we'll see how that goes.

Hang in there Derek, just remember military is a bit tough on the family if you're close to them. My best friend joined and is still in, he actually just broke his back para jumping but isn't paralyzed thank God. You'll figure it out man, like myself I tried college, hated it. Also remember you can go to school at any time, maybe try school through the Air Force, I have another buddy who is doing that as well. Take care.

-mike

 

Dont join the military cause you feel like you have to, join because you want to, if you join cause you "have to" you will regret it later on..if anything take a break from school, get back on your feet with your money issues then continue back with school

 

This. I sucked it up and lived with the rents for 8 months during my last year of graduate school to keep from taking out extra loans for housing. It sucked, but finishing grad school bumped my earning potential about 70%, and that's just starting salary. With experience, I could be making double to triple what I would've earned with just my Bachelor's.

The situation is similar for college and high school. There's a big jump in money for folks with college degrees over those with high school diplomas. And no diploma at all usually does NOT turn out well. There is absolutely NO investment in the world that gives the percentage returns that education does, with the possible exceptions of white collar crime and drug dealing.

The military offers good training in many skills. It's not a bad option. But think long and hard about what you're considering and whether it's a good decision or just an "I want" situation. There's no guarantee you'll be happy in the armed forces either, it's HIGHLY unlikely you'll find a woman, and you can't "drop out" of the armed services if you tire of the daily routine. Remember that. Sacrifice comes before reward.

 

hang in there, and cummunity colleges offer the same great degree for one third the cost
at the university

 

oh the irony

I'd say they offer similar gen eds for a third of the cost. I transferred after I got my AA into a 4yr and graduated almost debt free because of this.

 

Derek, I'll echo what a lot of others are saying: stay in school! If not there, they come to NY, live with your grandfather and go to school here. I tried school twice without success. Then I moved to SC for a couple years working retail jobs making shit money barely paying the bills. When I came back to NY I ended up working 4pm to 3am at a machine shop busting my ass for less than I woulda made doing half the work at a gas station. Two months in I said Fuck This! and told myself I needed to finish college this time. I went to a 2yr technical school (ITT) to get an AS since no one would hire me without a degree. Jobs in NY are limited so employers can pick the most qualified people and take their time doing it. My wife is 31, and stuck in the same rut. She's locked into fast food as that's all she's ever done besides short stints here and there in the medical field where she wants to be. She's going back to school now just to get into a hospital or other practice with benefits like retirement plans, better pay, vacation/sick time, and educational benefits. Unfortunately now she's married, has 3 kids to take care of, and a full time job to juggle around school. Had she done this at your age things would be easier. She'd probably have a good paying job, and lots of those benefits built up by now. Not to mention the company paying for her classes should she decide to take some.

Now, where in NY is he?

 

shit derek, id love to be out in san diego going to college...lets just switch lives for a little

 

The military is a good deal, just have a plan on what you want out of it and stick to it. You could get a lot accomplished in a short period of time, money for school, a trade or skill and experience.

 

go with the marines, we're the ones that get all the ass!

 

Derek I dont know u personally but just by reading your posts i know you are a creative and interesting person. Your gf dumping you was the biggest mistake she ever made. And you gotta let her know it too! Go to school, finish, and make tons of cash. Marry someone hotter than her then when your rich, successful, and got a dime piece on ur arm she'll be sorry lol. But seriously man u can do anything, jus from stuff i read about on posts like you helping your parents I know ur a person of integrity. It sucks now but give it time. You might not like classes this semester but the woman of your dreams could be in your class next semester.

 

I was kicked out of high school my senior year.

I got my G.E.D. in 2 days.

I went to MMI, a 2 year college and graduated.

If I knew I could have done this when I was a freshman I would have done it. High school is a joke.

 

I'm glad I'm not the only one who sees it.





I am sorry for starting this thread. I wasn't in the right state of mind when I was typing and I was jotting down random thoughts in my head. I will now go back and read all of your posts. Thanks to all who helped/are helping out.

 

Hey man, I am in college to and let me tell you. Definitely not gonna be the best years of my life lol. But stay in it if you can man, its hard to make it nowadays without it. As far as the girl, i know that feelin to but hey. Think of how many girls there are in this world and the number you have met, statistically you set

 

STAY IN SCHOOL!! didnt we talk about this before?

 

Hi Derek,

You're 18 and you've got your whole life ahead of you.

It sucks now, but you'll get over it. I had girl troubles in my second year, and I couldn't get my head around studying for awhile. However, studying also kept my mind off her. I stuck with it and finished, and I can tell you it really pays off for the rest of your life.

A co-worker of mine has 30 years experience but was not hired for a higher paying job because he didn't have his papers.

Hang in there, finish your studies, and get a great career. There are many women who would love to have a great guy like you with a great future. Take your time, and find the one who shares your dreams and aspirations.

That's my two cents.