What Made you Smile/What Ticked you off Today?

[prfsnl_gmr]

I could get scholarships, as you mentioned, especially in ag. But then again, why the hell should I need to go to college for ag? I've been telling people that's what I'll do, but I don't really know about that. There's only so many colleges good for ag around. Texas Tech, A&M, and Angelo State are pretty much the only options for me, and I'm not really thrilled by them. A&M is huge, full of people that went to my school, and absorbed over their football team, which usually sucks. Texas Tech somehow attracts most of the "country preps", and is in Lubbock, which I really don't know if I like or not. Angelo is one of the better options for me in many ways, but there isn't shit to do in San Angelo.

You very well may have all the skills required for your chosen profession...but so do a lot of other people. Accordingly, if you do not have the right credentials, then you will get passed over for an entry level position. Moreover, if you are lucky enough to land a position despite your lack of a college education, you will eventually hit a ceiling imposed by your own refusal to obtain a degree (i.e., you will be passed over for someone with a degree). I can assure you, getting passed over for someone with a degree and less experience will not feel so good when you have 10+ years on the jobs and a family.

Also, I can assure you that, while many people from your high school go to Texas A&M, Texas A&M is certainly not "full of" them. (Like the rest of the world, it is actually full of people that did not go to your high school...High school seems all-consuming while you are there, but insignificant the moment you step out the door.) There will be a lot of people there, and not all of them - and probably not even a majority of them - will be obsessed with the football team. Moreover, you will probably meet a lot of people that are a lot like you and share your concerns and interests.

In short, leaving home for college is awesome. College is tremendous fun; you will meet tons of interesting people; most people look back on their college experience very fondly; and college provides you the credentials required for you to have a successful career. The only downside is the cost, and if you plan on staying in state, that amount will seem negligible in a few years (especially if you obtain a scholarship of some sort). Accordingly, attending college should be a no-brainer for someone like you, and I think that you will be wasting your potential if you do not attend.

(Also, you don' have to go back home and work in the oil fields when you obtain your degree...That career path is for the unambitious, and I am certain that you can do better.)

[Blu]

Honestly Forlorn Drifter,

Getting over that hurdle of whether or not to go to college is tough. Sounds like you're going through that right now. But whereas a lot of students have a few vague ideas of what kind of career they'd like to enter after they graduate, it sounds like you've narrowed down a few ideas to careers that you'd be okay doing. That puts you slightly ahead of the curve--I see tons of students who jump from pre-med to pre-law to engineering to liberal arts.

Here's a few reasons why you might want to consider an education after high school.

1. Entry level jobs require some sort of the post-secondary education, even those careers you could've entered through an apprenticeship. If you pursued a trade school though, you're entering a market that our generation currently isn't pursuing as much and will be in much higher demand. The unfortunate thing is most of these careers require certifications, which you guessed it, require some sort of classes and education.
2. Those entry-level jobs that you can commonly get without an education are becoming more and more hard to find without some sort of an education. prfsnl_gmr outlined most of those points.
3. It's all about socialization: to people, to ideas, to practices, and ways of life. You discover a lot more about yourself and the world around you when you've lifted your roots and placed in a new environment. Depending on how you select a school, you can find different things you are interested in, and people who share those interests. I think that's especially important to consider. If you're saying the people around you are too like-minded and don't share your interests, why not find a community that is better supporting of that. When you go to a college, sure there will be a few people you know, but thousands you don't.

I'll hold firm that an education you receive is something that can never be taken away from you, and is one of the most precious things you can have. Having worked for universities now for almost 7 years as a student and professionally, I've seen plenty of students who are in your shoes, and arrived at our doorstep uncertain of their future. It's totally fine to come there questioning the purpose of being there, but you have to take the matter in your own hand and discover what you want out of your education and see how it will prepare you for the occupation you want to have.

Now if you're worried about being saddled with debt, there are a few ways to go about it.
1. Offset that cost with scholarships.
2. Work a job on-campus and save 25% of what you make as a way to pay down your loan balance. I wish I had done this and blew lots of my cash on games and sports.
3. Work a job during the summer, live at home, and pay down the principle of your loans.
4. NEVER EVER, unless you have to take an overage check from your financial aid office. Unless it's from a scholarship and you won't owe anyone that money.

If you're responsible with your finances, you get out with much less debt than your peers.

[BoneSnapDeez]

I highly recommend a campus job as well.

While I took out loans to pay for college itself, I used the campus job to pay for gas, some food, clothes, whatever (I didn't play video games back then believe it or not!). It was nice to have an income and I didn't have to mooch off the parents. In addition, the job itself was quite fun and entertaining.

At first I was apprehensive thinking that a job might cut down on my available "study hours" but if anything it just gave more structure to my day and helped me with time management. I got a 4.0 every semester I was working.

[Jmustang1968]

You said that your dad would allow you to live there as long as you need to. It sounds like you have parents that love and support you. If you do go out on your own and it doesn't work out, you have them to fall back on. Don't be afraid if something doesn't work out. You are young, and we all learn from trial and error. You have to get out there to find out what works or doesn't work though.

I just watch too many people go off, go to college, get a degree... and then end up working a shit job here or going to the oil field. Rarely do I see someone go off and do something with themselves, and when I do, they were prepared to do it by the time they were 14. They had a plan, a design. I don't have that.

I could get scholarships, as you mentioned, especially in ag. But then again, why the hell should I need to go to college for ag? I've been telling people that's what I'll do, but I don't really know about that. There's only so many colleges good for ag around. Texas Tech, A&M, and Angelo State are pretty much the only options for me, and I'm not really thrilled by them. A&M is huge, full of people that went to my school, and absorbed over their football team, which usually sucks. Texas Tech somehow attracts most of the "country preps", and is in Lubbock, which I really don't know if I like or not. Angelo is one of the better options for me in many ways, but there isn't shit to do in San Angelo.

I went to A&M and it was awesome. They care about football, and the team doesn't 'usually suck'. They had off years but in the mid 2000s they were middle of the road. They were good in the 90s and had some dropoff and coaching transitions. Happens to most universities, look at Texas now.

There are a lot of things to go to school for with ag. Tons of different ag sciences and technologies. Sure, if you want to own a plot of land and just have a little farm for yourself, you dont need school. If you want to get into the industry and business, a degree and contacts will do you wonders. It is often more about who you know than what you know.

A&M is actually very inviting and friendly. Being big is also a benefit in some ways. You can get lost in the crowd when you want to, but there are also enough people to find niche groups that suit your interests. They have gaming groups, board games, card games etc...

I lived in the dorms for 2 years then moved to an apartment. Luckily, A&M is a town where housing is cheap and there arent really 'slums'. The dorms are a great way to meet friends and are convenient for transitioning into college. My only issue was getting tired of sharing a room with a roommate. I dont mind sharing a common living space and having my own private room, but the shared rooms grew old quick. Almost all of my good friends from college that I still have I met my freshman year in the dorms.

[Xeogred]

I'll have to read over some of this tomorrow, but I have to say... I for one wish either I was more daring when I got out of high school, or that my parents had a much shorter time limit for me to get out of the house. It's great that I got to be there until I was 25 but after awhile, I don't think they and myself were really doing me any favor at all. For the most part, you know. And I'm still debt free, so there's that. But just for life and experiences in general, I'm kind of thinking I would have had my shit more together by now if I kicked myself out earlier or something.

I try not to say I regret the situation and choices, or blame anyone, but yeah. Definitely a big "what if" on my mind off and on lately. Even if my car blew up immediately after I moved out, and medical bills pile up and my savings doesn't really grow anymore or at all often nowadays... I just can't help but love taking in all this independence, consequences, etc. For better or worse. It's been incredible to be my own man.

[RyaNtheSlayA]

Damn it. Sick as a dog. I have so much work to do too.

I hate that about school. Being around so many other disease carrying humans. I can't stand it.

[Flake]

Smile: Fall has hit with a vengeance here in central Texas. It's supposed to stay below 82 deg F for the whole week. Should make my fiance and her daughter happy as they are of Colorado stock.

Frown: I'm a Texan through and through. I already miss the warmth.

[AppleQueso]

I think the current weather in TX right now is quite nice. Pretty much hovering around my ideal temp, really.

[SamuraiMegas]

Yeah, it's pretty nice.

[KitKatCara]

I love the weather change. I like hot, but this is my second favorite season. I love being able to drink my coffee on the balcony and not sweat my ass off before the sun rises.