I don’t know where to start but I can start off by saying that I want to quit college because I am too stupid and just want to start working and focus on moving out of my parents home. On the other hand I have this chance of getting my whole tuition paid for by the Department of Rehab. I am considered “disabled” because of something that happened to my eye and I want to go to college but I just don’t feel like I can hack it and because my parents sometimes belittle me because I still live at home. I never ask my parents for money but I also don’t pay rent or do more to help them. I am leaving out a lot of details but I hope you guys can give me some advice. Thank you.
confusing post. Did you just finish a semester of college- the quit college title? Grades- passing/good/bad??? You need to discuss with a counselor who knows you and your situation. We do not know you, nor should we get too many details.
@ Wis75 I’ve been attending community college for four years ( on and off). I have a lot of As. and Bs but I also have alot of F’s Cs and Ws. I have talked to a counselor about this and she says I’m doing really well and that I shouldn’t give up but I’m not sure.
It sounds like you need job/professional/career goals. It is a lot easier to make yourself study for classes you need but perhaps dislike if there is a light at the end of the tunnel. Taking some interest and aptitude testing at your school could give you ideas for your long term plans. It is hard to be motivated without concrete plans for your future. Discuss plans with your counselor. Will the effort lead to a satisfying job years from now? What happens in ten years without a degree in whichever field you decide on? It sounds like you can handle the courses if you want to, but have trouble being motivated. Time for you to evaluate things and either continue with reasons to do well or take a break from schooling. Good luck.
If you take a break will the Dept. of Rehab still pay for your classes? Once you are 24, college financial aid is based on your income, not your parents, so you could also wait for that. If you are not feeling motivated, and want to work, I think it is fine to leave. There is plenty of time to finish school, and there are also alternative paths. Have you looked at the more vocational certificates offered at your school? Are your parents fixed on the idea you will go on to a 4 year college? If so, there are many degree completion and adult learner college programs you can access later. There is a lot we don’t know, and don’t need to know, but in principle, leaving school is fine.
@wis75 I don’t necessarily lack motivation but it’s difficult to focus on my school when I have to worry about getting a job, car, bills, etc.but you’re right, it would help me if I had a plan. The only problem is that I doubt myself a lot and wonder if I am wasting my time earning that degree when I could be learning a trade.
@copmom From what I remember they will help as long as I want them to help me and yes my counselors have mentioned that once I turn 24 that they will be able to help me more. I have considered learning a trade but I have no idea what trade to learn. My parents, well my dad is fixed on the idea because he wants me to do something with my life and just wants to know that I am doing something with my life unlike him. I also want to graduate from college because this is a once in a lifetime opportunity. I have a chance at getting my whole tuition paid for if I improve my grades from now on.
I’ve graduated 3 times in 3 different decades, so not really a once in a lifetime thang.
You haven’t taken evaluations by now to see what types of things you like doing?
@ sylvan8798 I meant that I would be the first in my family and that I would basically graduate debt free.because the Department of Rehab would end up picking the tab. I can’t say I like much simply because I do “doubt” my self and I am also realistic. If I could I would be a PE Teacher or help athletes get back in shape ( kind of like a physical therapist).
That’s a good reason to quite college
You need to sit down with a career counselor and take a skills/interests test. This will help you figure out where your strengths are. Once you have an idea of what your aptitudes are, you can start looking at specific training for a career in your field. Plenty of people do not need a college degree to have a successful life, but everyone needs a calling. You should get help from a qualified person to figure out what yours is.
Does your community college have a personal trainer certificate of a physical therapy assistant program?
@compmom no and no, the closest school that offers a physical therapy assistant program is located about 2 1/2 hours - 3 hours away.
I have taken a Miggs Bryer Test and it said that I was an ISTP and it was pretty accurate and the only thing it said that I needed to work on was my people’s skills and so on. That part is pretty accurate too.
Get your degree. It almost does not matter what it is in. Get it done. Life happens and once life happens (significant others, etc), getting a degree often gets put on the back burner. If you have kids, they become the priority not you. So it is very hard to get back to school. You can switch areas, jobs, specialization, once you get the degree. Just get one.
I don’t agree. I know kids who left, worked, and returned much more motivated. I know kids who did certificates that are vocational in nature and are working in that field. I know kids who left school and worked and are still working. I also know older adults who are parents who went back to school and did fine.
You don’t sound like you should be in school right now, and you don’t sound like you should be living with your parents either. Sometimes getting out on your own is a priority. Find a shared living situation, find work, and experience independence for a bit.
You will still have the help with tuition (and at 24 your aid is based on your income). There are lots of adult learner programs where you can go p/t with mixed ages if you do want to go back, but maybe you will find more direction after a few years of working- and that direction may or may not involve college.
What is ISTP?
Have your job coach from the DOR work on helping your get a place to live, with their help, and to get a part-time job. There should be some funding/subsidies for that.
Then, get your job coach to help you explore some occupational areas of interest.
I’ve had former students working in warehouses/factories; one student generates sheet work and makes great money working with mechanical engineers. One student was a recreational activities major; he plans/designs activities for one of the city’s rec centers. Another student is a “personal trainer” at a community college; he teaches how to use the equipment. All you have to do is ask for help. You are not stupid! Asking for help is not stupid; it’s a way to prove/show what you are capable of doing.
I think in 10 years when you look back, you will wish you had gotten a degree. It gives you more options.
Right now your main goal is to move out of your parents home. Why?
Because you think you are “too old”?
Because you think you are not contributing?
Because your parents are urging to move out?
Because your parents are annoying?
I think typical parents would be okay if you are staying with them rent-free WHILE YOU ARE GOING TO SCHOOL.
You can contribute to the household by making some dinners or taking out garbage or vacuuming or what not.
Ask them to work with you on goals…would they support you going to college and living at home and no belittling? Or are they saying they would prefer you not to get a college degree and move out?
@ compmom. I just want to continue right now because I am young.
ISTP is (Introversion, Sensing, Thinking, Perception) and “ISTPs love to explore with their hands and their eyes, touching and examining the world around them with cool rationalism and spirited curiosity. People with this personality type are natural Makers, moving from project to project, building the useful and the superfluous for the fun of it, and learning from their environment as they go. Often mechanics and engineers, ISTPs find no greater joy than in getting their hands dirty pulling things apart and putting them back together, just a little bit better than they were before.”
That is very true. I like using my hands and being active but like I said the one thing that I worry about are my social skills.
@AuntBea I don’t think the DOR can help me with getting a place or a job per say. Long story short, they will be able to help me out more once I run out of fafsa money and transfer to a four year college. My dad supports me but I am sure he wants me to finish it as soon as I can because I can’t keep leaving at the house and I’m sure he wants me to contribute more.
@bopper I agree with you about finishing college right now. I also help around the house and have been doing that. The only thing that I don’t do is pay for rent, the electricity bill, etc. Everything else I pay for.
I think my dad just wants me to finish college and he wants to help me in any way he can but there are times when he wishes I could help out more. My step mom is the one who really belittles me for still living at home but she’s not that bad.
s21792g your original post said you wanted to quit!
Apparently you came on here to be talked out of quitting and people have done that.
Everyone is different. One of my three left her (residential) college and it was the best thing she ever did. She worked for a couple of years, performed, and is not in a part time program that has a major that suits her perfectly, that she was not even considering three years ago. All the while she has worked in restaurants or as a receptionist. Her grades are nearly perfect because she has only been in school when feeling motivated.
My other two went to Ivies. I don’t think she is less happy or fulfilled than they are. She is just on a different timeline.
I also talk to her occasionally about options other than college, such as certificates. I am not anxious that every one of my kids finishes college: she has talents that could bring employment in other ways. But society makes some kids feel less than, if they not done have a bachelor’s and there isn’t much I can do about that except talk to her and post on here if someone indicates a desire to “quit.” Quitting college is not the same as quitting life.
But it sounds like your motivation has been rekindled and the home situation is not as bad as your first indicated.Good luck!