Why not teach myself?

College Majors
1

<p>Hello,</p>

<p>I am a freshman at Wake Forest University. </p>

<p>I was home-schooled all throughout high school. I was principally autodidactic, teaching myself every topic in high school besides mathematics. I developed an interest in the humanities, and I came to Wake Forest planning to study history, philosophy, or English.</p>

<p>To say I've experienced culture shock is an understatement. In order to keep this post brief, I'll say that college is not working out for me. The work is easy, but along with a job in the library, being away from home, not fitting in/being "different," and wondering about the purpose of college have left me very stressed. </p>

<p>Again, I could add more detail, and I will if requested, but to be brief, I recognize that I could learn just as much in my spare time at my community library one mile from my true home WHILE working a good job with decent pay. At the end of four years, I would have learned just as much, and in a better way for me (self-teaching), and I would have four years' worth of income saved, as I would be living at home. </p>

<p>My dream is not to make a ton of money. It is to be a writer. I just do not see the point of paying to learn the material that I could learn for free, in a stressful environment away from everything important to me, while losing income that I could earn if I hadn't gone to college and started working instead.</p>

<p>I want to quit and teach myself in the way that I am used to. I would apply for a job at a local newspaper and try to get my feet wet in the world of writing by doing that, teaching myself the academics at night after work. What should I do?</p>

<p>I apologize for the quality of writing. I'm sitting in my dorm right now with 36753236 things pushing on me and pressuring me and keeping me from truly LEARNING, so I had to write quickly.</p>

<p>Thanks,
Will</p>

2

<p>Since your goals don’t really require a college degree, I see no reason why you shouldn’t do what you’ve proposed. I agree that college often stifles the learning process more than it encourages it. In the worst case scenario, if you end up needing a degree, I’m sure you could complete it quite quickly by testing out of courses and taking night/online classes.</p>

<p>Best of luck in whatever you decide to do!</p>

3

<p>I would not drop out before you talk with folks at the local newspaper and get their advice on your situation. I do agree that you might be able to teach yourself as much in the library at home as you would learn in four years of regular classwork. You would certainly save money as well. But there is also a good chance that you would limit your future options by taking this path. So check with those employed in this field before making a move.</p>

4

<p>Sounds a bit like the plot of good will hunting lol. I’d say tough up and try to graduate. You ever know if you’re writing career is going to be successful, and the last thing you want is to be an adult with no degree.</p>

5

<p>Whoops, I hadn’t noticed that you planned to APPLY to a job. Don’t quit until you’ve got a solid job in place, and definitely follow the above two posters’ advice.</p>

6

<p>I’d stick it out.</p>

<p>You don’t want to keep yourself isolated any longer, do you? Maybe cut down on the hours you work and go socialise!</p>