I'm lost!!

Jen · August 28, 2002

-Aug-02, 00:48 AM (EST)

Alright guys, I need to vent. I feel like my life is...whats a good word....directionless? I mean, today my mother casually mentioned me quitting school because I can't afford it and they can not afford to help me out. And the government...they say my parents make too much money to give me financial aid. Oddly, all that money does not go to me, it goes towards my dad, and in savings for when he has his transplant and will be outta work. AGHHHHH..... I've been searching for scholarships but I am starting to feel like it is a lost cause. Also, I still have no clue as to what I want to major in. So should I just stop going to school and work? Or just keep on taking random classes and work, and try to get the dough to pay for it? I mean all my friends around me know exactly what they want to do with their life. They have like their whole life planned out! And then there is me. I am just the typical, day by day person. And when it comes time to think ahead, I can't! What's that country that tells your what you are going to be doing for the rest of your life, and you have to do it? Maybe I should move there...

Sorry for this, I am just....lost!

Gig'em Ags!!

Dihappy · August 28, 2002

I had a friend in a similar situation.

I say enter the military , it may actually be a good thing for you.

Your stuck between a rock and a hard place! Your Dad's health, and your future.

Although many have done it, trying to work AND go to school can really be tough, it was for me. Im married now and my kind wife said i should quit working and go back to school.

MarkD · August 28, 2002

Military doesn't sound like a bad idea. You could get paid, educated, and have your tuition covered.

Without even hearing your story, most people that stop attending school never start back unless there is financial assistence (like that provided by the military)

I also have a couple questions for you to ask yourself.

How much money do you want to make a year?

Do you want to live in your hometown/current town for the rest of your life?

If so, then what careers provide that income in your area?

Firetiger(MN) · August 28, 2002

Do like everyone else in the world. Get a loan.

Roofer · August 28, 2002

Do like everyone else in the world. Get a loan.

ewww, grim and bitter truth! I agree.

If there were no loans, the world would stop.

GreenRado · August 28, 2002

Have to agree on the loan thing - neither my wife nor I would've ever graduated if not for student loans. My only additional advise is to not take a loan until you are sure 1) you want to stay in school, and 2) you have a plan in your head about what you want to do. Cause when you graduate, the payback time starts within a few months, and if you're using the loan to pay for anything other than a degree, it's pretty painful to have to make payments.

Hope this makes sense.

Also, a career guidance counselor might not be a bad idea also, and certainly the military is a great way to start a career (as indicated in earlier posts).

kaspar139 · August 28, 2002

If I am not mistaken, she tried to get financial aid, and due to parental income, was over qualified? I think a loan would be a bad idea, because you have to pay back immediately. Do your parents still claim you as a dependent? If they don't, then you can apply for financial aid by yourself and are SURE to get the money you need. Otherwise, if your parents are still claiming you, then you are screwed on the financial aid front...I wouldn't recommend the military unless that is something you think you can handle. The military is not for everyone. While it might be good for me, it may not be good for you.

And, for the record...you are

just the typical, day by day person

and that means that you don't have it all figured out. Your friends, who think they have it ALL figured out, will quickly realize that their master plan is not what it turns out to be. Some might, of course, but most will hit reality. Have faith, everything will work out.

rrsob · August 28, 2002

It took me ten years to pay off my student loan, but in the long run it was worth it. IMO the last thing you want to do is quit school. And you'll regret it for along time and always think "what if..."

hogger999 · August 28, 2002

If there were no loans, the world would stop.

I think what you mean is if I had no loans the world would stop. Feels like that sometimes

Since your not sure how you want your career path to go I'm not sure a loan is the best idea right now. You could still be paying on classes 5 or 10yrs down the road that have no real bearing on what you end up doing.

As far as the military goes, I'd give it some serious looking into. Find out all you can, but try to stay away from recruiters. They have quotas to meet.

I wish I had joined. At the time I knew what I wanted to do with my life. Then after 4 years of doing it I was afraid that it was all I would ever do. I could have joined the military, traveled, gotten trained, gotten educated, and gotten paid all at the same time.

Not only that but I would have had a better shot at getting the same job I have now because they prefer to hire military.

CMNTMXR81 · August 28, 2002

I think they meant for her to get her own loan independant of her parents.

The military may be a good idea if that's your frame of mind. I personally wouldn't in your situation but that's me. I'd stick with school.

I came from a single parent (mother) who raised two of us working three jobs in order to keep food on the table and clothes on our back. My mother conversely too poor to help with me. So if I wanted to go to school, it was up to me to do it myself, which I did.

It's been 8 years since I graduated my institute of higher education and I'm almost done paying off my $25k tab. I could've paid it off sooner if I wanted. But that simple little piece of paper allowed me to rack up all the toys I've got today.

In order to make an omelet you gotta break some eggs!!!

Jen · August 28, 2002

Thanks to all the great replies! I do have to say, I really don't want to quit school. The military...yes, I could do this...but it is not for me. Student loans....haven't really thought about it. But would I want to get some even if I have no goal in my life? I would hate to have to start payin back these loans with no money still! I am about to email my counselor, hopefully he can give me advice as well. As my parents, yes, they claim me as their dependant. I can't claim myself until I am 23. Then I am sure to get lots of money for assistance. Another thing I am lookin at right now is getting a second job. Hopefully I will be able to handle this, along with my schooling this semester. I am thinking about going to bartending school (its like a 3 week course).I figure I can be a student/florist by day and a bartender by nite. Who knows.....

Gig'em Ags!!

sk · August 28, 2002

Go for the student loan (sometimes called "Stafford" loans). They have alot of benefits (if you can say that about going in debt!):

-- They are easy to qualify for (they are basically an installment loan from the government)

-- The payments don't start until 6 months after you get your degree

-- The term is 10 years (but you can pay it off sooner without penalties)

-- If you make your payments on time, every couple of years they reduce your interest rate (mine started at 7.5% but is currently 2.6%!)

-- You can request deferred payments for a variety of things (like if you think you may take a year off to "find yourself", but will be returning to school. If you decide not to return then you simply start making payments on the amount you borrowed.)

Your counselor should know about them and there is also alot of info at http://www.salliemae.com concerning them (Sallie Mae is the government agency that administers the loans.)

Staying in school even though you are undecided on a Major is better than quitting (in the long run). Just take courses to satisfy your Gen Ed requirements and you can fill in with the "specialized" courses once you decide on a Major.

Scott

Kania2k1 · August 28, 2002

You wanna talk about not knowing what to do???? I started out in Chemical Engineering at Tennessee Tech, then to Culinary Arts/Restuarant Management at a community college in NY. Then to UT Knoxville for a B.S. in Hotel/Restaurant Adim. Then worked for 2 years as a manager, then to SUNY Albany for a Comp Sci/Math degree, and now I am planning on transferring to U of Florida to get my Masters in Building Construction. I think I finally figured out what I want to do. The trick is finding out what you enjoy doing. I have a link to a site that lists almost every career, but it's on my other 'puta. I'll post it in a minute here. But wht you have to ask yourself about your situation is.. "Should I do what I know, or do what I love (feel)?" For years I was/am doing what I knew, cooking, but it killed, or effected, almost every relationship I have. No time for me, my friends, family, etc. So I looked for a 8ish to 5 ish career that pays well, and has some growth potential. I did it without loans also, but I worked 50 hours a week, and sleeping becomes an option then. One more thing and I'll quit rambling. Is it possible to be an R.A. at the college? My brother did it at Purdue, and I think he got all of his school paid for, and $75 month I think. something like that, but it's worth looking into if it's available.

Kania2k1 · August 28, 2002

here's the link:

Career Information

Stepside Z · August 29, 2002

Been in the US Navy for the last 19 years and I have at least 3 more to go. So far I like it. I think I will quit and got to work in Wal-Mart as the guy that hands out the stupid smily stickers when I decide I don't like it any more.