starting to get seriously burnt out in college

[MrPopo]

would you rather suffer through college, or go the rest of life full of regret and average salary...?

That's kind of offensive. Some of us have no interest or need to amass a huge fortune, and we just want to enjoy our lives. I'm tired of people acting like college is the only hard step in a life of "success". College is nothing but preparation for the kind of pressure and stress you're setting yourself up for in some high power career. Not everyone wants to spend their prime years that way.

I disagree that college degrees lead to stressful careers. It all depends on what you end up doing. I do agree that college isn't for everyone. However, if you've gone this far through college, and it sounds like you really do want that degree, then I recommend you stick with it. If you take a break it can be very hard to get back on that horse.

I was burned out about midway through my sophomore year. But I knew that the career I wanted needed the degree, and while I hated the classwork I did enjoy working in the field when I was getting paid during internships. So I grit my teeth and beared it. As mentioned, find something to do in your free time that you really enjoy. College will be over quicker than you think.

[Hatta]

College was hard? Man I wish I was back in college. 2-3 hours a day of classes that I didn't even have to show up for. Spend the rest of the time smoking pot and playing video games. That was awesome.

The "real world", now that will burn you out. 8 (or more) hours a day of actual work. Work that actually has to be of value to someone, where every day you have to do something to justify your continued employment. That is stressful.

[nateup2]

would you rather suffer through college, or go the rest of life full of regret and average salary...?

That's kind of offensive. Some of us have no interest or need to amass a huge fortune, and we just want to enjoy our lives. I'm tired of people acting like college is the only hard step in a life of "success". College is nothing but preparation for the kind of pressure and stress you're setting yourself up for in some high power career. Not everyone wants to spend their prime years that way.

I had gone insane by the end of my junior year in highschool.

As did I, that's why I dropped out during that year and got my diploma through a much better program.

I pretty much agree, although I don't find any of it offensive. I also find it silly how society acts like college is the only way to succeed. I know many people who went to college and make decent money, although none of my friends who only completed a 4 year degree make significantly more than those who didn't.

I quit this year, and I only have 1 year left. I am already feeling refreshed and excited to get back and finish, so in my situation, it will not be hard to "get back on that horse". I am very satisfied with my decision to take time off, but obviously everyone is different.

[sneth]

would you rather suffer through college, or go the rest of life full of regret and average salary...?

That's kind of offensive. Some of us have no interest or need to amass a huge fortune, and we just want to enjoy our lives. I'm tired of people acting like college is the only hard step in a life of "success". College is nothing but preparation for the kind of pressure and stress you're setting yourself up for in some high power career. Not everyone wants to spend their prime years that way.

i can see your point, but i really see a degree as a stress reliever.

You will always have more options with a degree than without one. I know some great scientists that refuse to sit on Boards because they would rather be in the thick of the lab. Very rarely will someone without a ton of training ever get into an R&D lab.

go for broke when it comes to education. I'll stick by that. Options and security. Pay can be an afterthought.

Plus- Knowledge is power, and knowing is half the battle, and as the great Kool Moe Dee said " Knowledge is King"

[DuManchu]

I've been going to the local community college since 2003. I've been working full time, going to school at nights.

The reason it's taken me so long is I changed majors halfway through.

But yes, I am completely burnt out. I have one class left for my Vocational certificate, and like 5-6 gen ed's away from my AAS.

I just can't do it anymore. I've been a 3.8-4.0 student the whole time (HS was another story... can you say 0.8 GPA? lol). But lately I just can't bring myself to put out quality work, I just don't have it in me any more.

I'm going to slog through my AAS and call it quits. A college degree is overrated anyway, people want experience and real skills, not a fancy piece of paper.

[dsheinem]

A college degree is overrated anyway, people want experience and real skills, not a fancy piece of paper.

To get your foot in the door in most professions, this is not really true. A college degree can demonstrate a number of important things:

- that you can start something (a degree program) and then have the fortitude to commit to see it through
- that you have already dedicated a chunk of your life/time to a particular concentration and in the process gained some expert knowledge (theories, methods, etc.) on the subject.
- that you have the capacity to learn and retain and apply knowledge
- that you can communicate well/work well with others (which is why most degrees require some communication courses, some group project courses, etc.)
- that you can think critically, are well rounded intellectually, and have ambitions to succeed

Granted, you don't necessarily get a lot of useful practical "real-world" experience in all majors or colleges. But you'll find that, when job hunting, "practical experience" is actually more over rated than a degree is (at least for entry level jobs).

Sure, once you've been working somewhere for a while, you might have the experience you need to move up/change employers/etc. And of course people can be successful (secure job, good pay, happy with work, etc,) without a degree, but, statistically, these people are more the exception than the rule. In any case, it is much more difficult to advance very far in any field without at least a bachelor's degree.

I always advise my students to stick it out, not to take time off (odds are simply against most people returning), and to try new things if they get burned out (e.g. funnel energy into a minor, take free electives on interesting subjects, etc.). There's been lots of good advice in the thread already - so I hope you take it to heart and slog out the last few semesters.

[corn619]

I went to college and I didn't even end up getting a job that makes use of my major. My current job didn't require a degree and I make more than doing what I do now than if I had gotten a job that pertains to my degree. As a matter of fact, the part time plumbing & heating job that I had while going to school was more fruitful for me than my degree. So a person with no degree can get a above average six figure career if there smart and ambitious enough. I make more than most of my friends that use there degree and I have complete freedom and with no boss breathing down my neck. Although, we were bought out not long ago by a UK corp and I'm not a big fan of this companies new policies. But it is one of the most secure jobs out there.

[DuManchu]

I guess it's all more in what fields you are interested in.

I am into graphic and web design and an impressive portfolio and experience with real clients is WAY more valued than whether or not you have a degree.

Hell, I do web design in house for the company I work for and I don't even have my certificate yet. And I firmly believe I could completely quit school and start a successful design firm of my own and not be affected at all by my lack of a degree.

Now, I guess I will agree that most "professionals" need a proper higher education degree. I wouldn't expect to become a Meteorologist just because I've been interested in the weather since forever and can understand some atmospheric data.

[Haoie]

Job market isn't exactly doing super out in the real world, either.

[DuManchu]

Job market isn't exactly doing super out in the real world, either.

When was the last time you heard the job market was good?

I can't recall anyone ever saying the job market was good... Ever.

I think if you've got a marketable skill you're probably going to be safe, provided you aren't part of a union (not a knock on unions, but the parent companies seem pretty rough on them).

If all else fails, everyone could get an HVAC license. People need heating and cooling right?