<p>Ok to preface, this is only 20-25% serious so nobody go and try to talk me off the ledge. </p>
<p>So why are we all trying so hard? Ya know? Like why do we all have to go to college? I want to just drop out of HS and go work on a farm in Montana. That would be a good life. When I was 60 I would probably be some sort of manager and I could spend my evenings in the local bar watching football and playing pool. Why do I need an Ivy League education? Its just not worth it. I kind of hate the pressure cooker that is the North Shore Long Island Public School. Its not worth it. Not worth it at all.</p>
<p>I agree actually. You'll end up successful no matter where you go as long as you persevere. Even if I went to an ivy league I'd actually probably end up with a simple life with a simple job after college just relaxing and being happy. I guess from a young age we're geared to work hard in school and go to an amazing institution of higher learning to get amazing and successful-but-high-pressure-work-on-Christmas day kind of jobs. Are you in a holiday spirit just saying this btw lol?</p>
<p>Lots of wildly successful, rich men and women didn't go to a tier 1 school.
Heck, Bill Gates got into Harvard, but dropped out once he got there! lol</p>
<p>I agree; sometimes, it all seems so futile. My less academically-minded friends are so content and happy. Why can't I be like that? <em>sigh</em></p>
<p>Currently my ideal career choice lies somewhere between the realms of general surgery, field ethology, and the itinerancy of a homeless person, but I don't quite think that our perspective's are the same -- it's not for any end reward that I'd take upon the toils of the former two goals, but rather because I enjoy the process of attaining those goals (ie education) as well...</p>
<p>It all depends on your passion. I want to become an accomplished doctor so I have no choice but to study my butt off, but if I wanted to become a bartender- I would sleep all day and have fun partying and mixing awesome drinks for people while looking hot.
And when you decide the lengths you want to go for your passion- you decide whether if its all really worth it.</p>
<p>All I want is a yacht (not one of those stupid glass yachts you're thinking of when you think 'yacht,' a wooden sailing yacht, self built, only 30-45' long... you don't need to be remotely rich to have one), a small house in Alaska, and a job (probably a novelist, I don't know yet, lol), I imagine college will help me get there. It can't hurt. And no, I don't even want to go to an ivy league school. You're absolutely right about the fact that the Ivy League just isn't worth it.</p>
<p>You think you're doing all this stuff because you want to get into college, or you want to go to a good med school, or you want a mansion with a 12-car garage and a bowling alley. But really, it's because without work, life would be unbearably boring and empty. At least that's why I work. Your mileage may vary.</p>
<p>They believe working to achieve a goal, rather than attaining it, makes people more satisfied - although they said good relationships were important.</p>
<p>UK experts agreed, but said the work had to match an individual's strengths.</p>
<p>The work has to use a person's strengths otherwise it can be demoralising
Averil Leimon, of the British Psychological Society</p>
<p>The Gothenburg team have been studying hundreds of interviews carried out with people across the world to find out what makes them feel fulfilled.</p>
<p>They said winning the lottery or achieving a goal at work gave a temporary high, but it did not last.</p>
<p>Instead, they found that working hard to reach a target was more fulfilling.</p>
<p>Lead researcher Dr Bengt Bruelde, from the university's philosophy department, said: "The important thing is to remain active.</p>
<p>"From our research the people who were most active got the most joy. It may sound tempting to relax on a beach, but if you do it for too long it stops being satisfying."
<p>I've been wondering this lately too. I think the problem is that we get lost along the way to our goals. We say, "To be a doctor, you have to get good grades to get into a top school to get into a top med school to get into a top hospital...." when the goal is actually just to be a good doctor. The thing is that school can't always measure how close you are to attaining your actual goal, the thing beneath all of your "along the way goals."</p>
<p>Obviously, hard work is important. But sometimes we work hard for the wrong thing. Like, I want to be some sort of writer (fashion mag editor, news correspondent, novelist...perhaps them all along the way). And getting good grades will help me get into a good school, Ivy or no, so I am given resources to help me achieve that goal. But grades aren't how I'll be able to measure my writing success. If an internship or the time I spend writing my novel get in the way of an A++--or even an A--in a difficult class, it may very well be worth it. </p>
<p>I guess what I'm saying is remember WHY you're working so hard. Remember your goal isn't generally something that can be written on a diploma, but that the diploma will aid you in getting there. I think that's why farmers in Montana are so happy. They work hard (!), go to bed tired, and are confronted with challenges everyday to secure their livelihood and that of their animals and crops. We're all ultimately working towards happiness, not to have our name in that valedictorian plaque in the high school guidance office. Though that would be nice.</p>
<p>I often think about this. I think anyone could settle on a 60,000 job and a decent lifestyle. Luxuries will come at a price, a price you might need to save a little for. However, I often throw that away. When I think about Burberry, Prada, Gucci, nannies, the mansion in Bronxville, or even the Brownstone on the Upper East Side - A better-than-average effort is needed. In all, I probably don't need to thoroughly explain the XYZ affair on my history assignment and settle with the 85 effort grade, but that extra effort might entail another stitch on my Fendi shoes, made from imported, organically-fed, one-in-a-million metallic cows in the middle of Tanzania.</p>
<p>^Well that's what I'm saying. It might not be the grade that determines the stitch on your shoe. More than likely, it's about being innovative in a high-paying job. Which is, admittedly, easier to get from a Tier 1 school, but still. The path from a 100% on your math quiz to a Bronxville (nation's most beautiful town, IMO) mansion is a lot less clear than you make it sound. I know a guy in Bronxville, actually, and he got his house by being clever in his job, not by being val (which he wasn't).</p>
<p>my opinion: i totally agree with you..why can't life be so simple
my brown parents: what the **** are you smoking, child? you must have an ivy league/college education. you must succeed in life. you must go to med school and eventually be a doctor. you must FOCUS. </p>
<p>yea so pretty much i don't have an option ;)
i gotta stick with this plan of getting into a good college...(and i can't even think about dropping highschool..even i wouldn't do that =O) doing well in college..going to medschool (thats not what i'm looking forward to) and doing stupid residencies and staying up all night. my parents decide my future. whether i like it or not. =(</p>
<p>
[quote]
I think the problem is that we get lost along the way to our goals. We say, "To be a doctor, you have to get good grades to get into a top school to get into a top med school to get into a top hospital...." when the goal is actually just to be a good doctor.
[/quote]
[quote]
We're all ultimately working towards happiness, not to have our name in that valedictorian plaque in the high school guidance office. Though that would be nice.
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<p>glassesarechic, after reading your post I've just been sitting here for 7 minutes. </p>
<p>I realized that's EXACTLY how I've been feeling/what's been going on, except I didn't realize that's what it was. I agree with you 100%, and you've pretty much just said it all/explained everything. I don't even know what to say. Wow. I guess epiphanies happen on CC, too. Seriously, you just put my life in perspective, not exaggerating. Haha I know you don't know me or the depth of my issues, but thanks for that :]</p>
<p>
[quote]
^Well that's what I'm saying. It might not be the grade that determines the stitch on your shoe. More than likely, it's about being innovative in a high-paying job. Which is, admittedly, easier to get from a Tier 1 school, but still. The path from a 100% on your math quiz to a Bronxville (nation's most beautiful town, IMO) mansion is a lot less clear than you make it sound. I know a guy in Bronxville, actually, and he got his house by being clever in his job, not by being val (which he wasn't).
[/quote]
</p>
<p>Bronxville is gorgeous. Although, I am a sucker for Scarsdale. :x </p>
<p>But, back on topic - I think it also depends on what industry you are going into. If you are going into Financial Planning - a seemingly traditional and non-changing industry - do you need much innovation? Not really. But, that plaque on the wall say "Harvard Business" is going to gain the trust of your people over the other, basic, low-tier business school graduate. </p>
<p>Now, if you are going into technology - It doesn't matter where you go. As long as you can, as you said, innovative - You're golden and destined to be rich. Look at Bill Gates, Zuckerburg, and the like. They innovated. They didn't stick to tradition.</p>
<p>But, hey - That's the industry for you. If you are going with a more traditional way, you would want that higher regarded degree. Where as, if you are going to innovate, you don't even need a degree, in some cases.</p>
<p>Monoclide- The guy I know worked with the oil companies, which is a job requiring a combination of social skills and financial prowess. He definitely couldn't have gotten the job from community college, but he wasn't at an Ivy and didn't have a 4.0.... In fact, he had pretty poor parents. He got the entry level job, I'm sure, by having decent stats and a decent interview. But I'm just saying that's not what got him to the top. He worked hard at what he did rather than just relying on a plaque or diploma. I guess we're both right--you need to both follow your dreams and use the system to get there.</p>