<p>Hi everyone, before I go off on this college rant I just want to say thanks for taking the time to read all this.. anyway..</p>
<p>I do not like college at all, I find it to be restrictive and it feels like a complete waste of time to me. I know that sounds harsh but, I go to a school 1600 miles away from home and it's a very difficult school. So far I've done rather well in all my classes, but I just HATE to do this stuff. I feel like it's high school all over again! Half the classes I'm forced to take just feel like rehashed high school work with more writing. As if it isn't bad enough that I'm forced to take a ridiculous amount of forced classes, not one of them relates to my major and I was given all of them based off a lottery system. </p>
<p>It's not just the work that I dislike though. The freshman dorms are these disturbingly small rooms with no personal bathroom, on an all mens floor. If you have not been put into a hell-hole like this, you cannot imagine what it is like. </p>
<p>To make my point though.. I don't see college as necessary, and I wish I did. Everyday that I force myself awake here, all I can think is "this can't be the only way to make it in the world". All the colleges try to slam you with this propaganda about how 'everyone that doesn't get a degree is destined to be an absolute loser!' which I think personally is just shallow propaganda and nothing more. What I'm trying to say is, I want to make it outside of college, I don't want to keep doing this grind of ridiculous forced work that gets me nothing but a piece of paper. This whole experience feels like a scam set up by universities to convince you that you need what they're teaching you. </p>
<p>Am I alone in feeling that my time could be better spent? Is it ignorant of me to think that this all isn't necessary? I could really use some help if possible, this is bugging me to death.</p>
<p>Thanks for the “Helpful” response.
I don’t want to drop out, because I can’t lose the notion that dropping out would be a bad idea. Despite the fact that I find this all pretty useless…</p>
<p>looks like you could benefit from transferring to a smaller LAC with more personal attention (better chance to pick the classes you want) and probably better dorms.
Also is it possible you’d better prefer a BSc program where most of your classes are focused on your selected major, instead of a BA?</p>
<p>Reiter, what do you want to hear? In your post you basically said you hate the courses, hate your dorm, and find college to be useless. It’s obviously NOT for you. Get out of there and stop wasting your (your parents’?) money. </p>
<p>The alternative is to suck it up, do the work, and earn your degree. </p>
<p>Sorry, but you’re an adult now. You made the choice to go to college. Nobody is MAKING you attend. If you’re not happy with your adult choice then DO SOMETHING about it. Make a change. </p>
<p>Don’t ask strangers on a discussion board to give you some magical recipe to make it all better. It’s ALL in YOUR hands.</p>
<p>I know exactly what you mean. That’s what I felt during most of my first year. One thing I just had to sit down and consider: what WOULD you consider useful? Courses that relate directly to your future career? Courses about hobbies you enjoy? Doing something non-course related? Taking a gap year to do something you find worthwhile? Getting a job? Moving out of the dorms?</p>
<p>DougBetsey, why are you even replying in my thread if you’re suggesting that I don’t ask for advice? Clearly this thread is not for you.</p>
<p>AtomicCafe, Thanks for the honest reply.
When I say useful, I mean, classes that pertain to my interests, not forced ones. Courses leaning towards hobbies that could be translated into a career. As much as I would like to take a gap, I’m torn between fighting through college and just getting the degree, or dropping out and trying to make it my own way.</p>
<p>Feeling as you do, it sounds like an WELL-PLANNED GAP year would be ideal. It would allow you to pursue in more depth whatever you’re interested in and perhaps earn some money towards paying for your college. You could also explore whether there might be a college that would be a better “fit” for you.</p>
<p>Universities vary considerably on what courses they require, so you can see whether there are other places that would allow you to take more courses that interest you and still move you toward getting your degree. Another option is trying to explore the options available at community colleges. Many of their programs are more directly related to jobs that are available and needed. Many of those are two year programs and pay good salaries. These include some registered nursing programs, paralegal, respiratory therapy, phylsical therapy assistant, emergency medical technician, ultrasound imaging tech, and many others.</p>
<p>Reiter, I’m assuming that you are just finishing up your first year. Once you get the required base courses out of the way you’ll be able to take more and more classes in your field of interest. Are there any upcoming courses you can get excited about?
Are you very involved on campus? It can make a world of difference if you find clubs or activities that you are interested in as well as other students who share your interests. It’s hard enough being so far from home without feeling like you are wasting your time.
What about internships or study abroad? Are there any programs in place at your college that you could pursue?
It’s good that you are doing well in your classes, but quality of life is important. Is there any off campus housing you could afford?
Finally, do you feel like you could be happier at another school? I’m a Mom and it saddens me to hear any college kid sound as miserable as you sound in your post!</p>
<p>I clearly understand you are using this to vent. And there is nothing wrong with that.</p>
<p>You’re not alone (not to sound like some cheesy antidepressant commercial). I’m in a dilemma myself where I totally have come to hate college. I can’t transfer now because I will start next semester as a junior and figured “just two more years. I can get through this”. I hate some of my classes, thus making me perform poorly in them (B/C+), and all of them are courses that have nothing to do with my major. It’s just I have been experimenting with different academic areas (psychology, linguistics, etc.) and find that they don’t suit me. It doesn’t interest me at all.</p>
<p>Have you considered transferring to a smaller college near your home? Maybe so you can commute? Or just get a college with a smaller atmosphere? I don’t think you should drop out if you are doing well in your classes. It looks like you probably want a challenge or some sort of “purpose” to why you are attending college. I would consider looking at other colleges or having a discussion with your parents/guardian. But if I were you, I wouldn’t drop out.</p>
<p>College isn’t necessary, or even useful, to be successful. Of course, that depends on your definition of success.</p>
<p>If you’re a self-starter, entrepreneurial type of person, then it’s not worth your time or money. College graduates are conditioned to work within systems, whether they be academic, corporate, or otherwise. If you have ideas, know-how, and commitment to make a living for yourself, then do it. You’d probably be better off with a degree though, even if it’s just to assure investors that you’re competent.</p>
<p>However, if you’re a follower, then college is pretty much the only route to success for you.</p>
<p>I’ve gone through this, and I think most college students do. You need to take some time to think. </p>
<p>You need to remember that decisions like staying or leaving college are very important. Staying costs a lot, yet once you leave it’s tougher to come back. When you think about what kind of job/future you’d be interested in, are you letting your current mood affect you? If you’re currently feeling bummed out and a little tired, that’s not a good reason to want a job that lets you bum around most of the day. It might not be what you want later on.</p>
<p>If you think it’s just a phase, and you decide to stay in college, take some new classes in a few different fields. It’s very likely that you’re either just not happy that you can’t pick classes yet, or else you’re taking the wrong classes. That’s easily fixed.</p>
<p>Right now I’m at the point where I plan to get through college, even if it makes me miserable while I’m there. Plus I am transferring to a college where the workload is not as bad and there is more of a social scene so I’m excited about that. </p>
<p>So the main thing is, think of college as a “fail-safe” and not as something you would be interested in doing.</p>
<p>Many of the required courses are annoying to have to take…but that doesn’t mean they are not worth while. The idea is to give you a well rounded education. What is your major? There are schools that have mnore of a focus… like a strictly art school for an art major rather than a university where other classes have to be taken. I don’t know if that would apply to your major. Just know that if you plan to complete your degree at a university then you will have to suffer through the gen ed classes until you get them out of the way and can focus more on your major. It’s not an ideal scene but most college students are in the same boat.</p>
<p>I know a few other posters have said this, but I’d like to reinforce the fact that you’re almost finished with your freshman year - which means that soon, you (probably) won’t have to take courses that feel useless or repetitive. However, I’d also like to reiterate a different question: have you considered transferring? Perhaps a different school altogether, one that is closer to home or smaller (where you’ll get more individual attention), would be a better option for you.</p>
<p>I don’t think you’re alone. I’ve never felt that way, but I know several people who have talked about feeling the same way. One ende up transferring to an LAC closer to her house, and currently loves it. Just food for thought.</p>
<p>A lot of the required classes are a joke but you still have to do them. I’m glad I’m graduating and I can be rid of dorms and ridiculous “liberal arts” requirements.</p>
<p>If you’re not doing what you’re passionate about, or are on a path to do what you’re passionate about then you probably shouldn’t be doing what you’re doing.</p>
<p>I wouldn’t continue college if it wasn’t absolutely what I wanted to do and what I was interested in, just doesn’t make sense to do that.</p>
<p>If you don’t want to drop out, I’d try taking different classes until you find something you’re really interested in and then pursue a major in that.</p>
<p>If there is nothing that you’re interested in, major in the best paying major or do something that is easy for you.</p>
<p>You’re being very nearsighted. You need to realize that your classes you become much more interesting once you take classes that are more advanced and specialized towards your field.</p>
<p>Of course it’s not all necessary. Did you really think that after you graduated from high school you would never have to do anything useless again? You have to realize that, whatever you are doing in your life, you are going to have to spend a good bit of your time doing things you’d rather not do, just because other people said you had to do them.</p>