As glorious summer comes to a close, so must many of our entertainments and events. In turn, the doors of academics slam wide open, usually right in our faces (and no, they won’t pay for the damages). For me, now (more or less) is that time, and I will have to gather up my probably misspent summer to recuperate and recover, and prepare. Having spent the first day of orientation (long story), it was something of a wake-up call. Despite it being the most active event I’ve done all summer, it was the slap in the face for me to realize: holy shit, I’m going to college.
Technically, because of the stone’s throw distance of the college, I won’t be dorming. For now. Nonetheless, I’m frankly nervous about the impending future.
What will I do? What will the classes teach me (I would assume that this question will come into play for college)? What projects and tasks will I have to do? Will I break under the strain? Will I crack under the pressure? And most importantly, what is my end goal?
I take that final question with complete seriousness. It’s really a combination of tricky issues that begs the question. For one, I’m a science-type man, but I have enrolled into a business school. Not the best of choices, but if I can get a leg up with my mathematic skills, it may pay off in the long run. For another, I have no declared major. While the more math-like ones interest me the most, they are sometimes also the ones that I will likely not succeed in, ultimately. Finally, I have no real intentions of getting some elusive CEO job for a giant franchise or anything like that sort. Too over-the-top, too exaggerated, too risky, in my opinion. I’d rather take a simple job in a small business doing dishes (or probably something a bit higher up than that).
Ah, fate. A cursed being she can be. I hath no great blessing from her before, should I expect some for the road ahead?
9 Comments
Sheeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeit.
Here’s a tip from someone who’s already half done with college: Don’t go into college/uni with the same expectations and lens you had as a high schooler. It won’t work.
I don’t understand people and dorming or whatever. Everyone I know just takes a metro and a bus to go to school, no need to move out really.
Maybe it’s because there’s like a million colleges here…
I never really understood why people went to college if they didn’t know what they wanted or if they didn’t even know if spending all that money and going to college is even going to promise you a good job or answer all of your questions. Maybe people go to college just to say they went to college. I know plenty of people who went and they still have trouble finding jobs, or they end up dropping out because they realized college wasn’t what they wanted or needed. I never went, and I’m still a working professional, albeit, in a small organization where my position can’t grow but in time it will and I don’t mind waiting. I’m content with how things are for me right now, save my terrible luck at finding an apartment to move into.
Who knows what’ll happen in the future for you. Maybe you don’t need college, maybe you do. Whatever life gives you or whereever it takes you, make sure that in the long run, you’ll be happy with how things turned out. Whether you’re washing dishes with a smile on your face or helping to lead a big time company.
Well, anecdotes are one thing, but statistics wise, those with higher education, bachelors, masters, PhDs, do statistically better in the jobs numbers, about 4% unemployment compared to high school, which is almost as high as 11%, although it could vary between 9% and 10%. PhDs do even better, about only 1% unemployed, even if there are taxi drivers with PhDs. :p
So going to College is just an investment, you can go in not expecting anything in return, but in the long run, it does help — for most people anyway.
College or University in Canada is a bit different that in the states I suppose. My City alone has 3 universities and a million and one colleges, so dorming does not apply to me either. All I can say is that college is not what they make it out to be in high school. Teachers tell us so much BS about how lectures work, how classes are, how professors behave. My only advice is to go in with a clean slate, and learn the ropes. Freshman year is the hardest if only because you are still adjusting from how life was before (IMO, some may beg to differ).
Dont be afraid or nervous. Dont feel like you are alone. Because you know what: everyone else is too. No matter what front they have, everyone has some form of anxiety when entering university or college for the first time. That may help ease your mind.
Good luck 🙂
@MasterCheeze: Indeed.
@AznRiceFan: I didn’t have much expectations in high school. I don’t think I can go lower than that.
@Nass: Some people are out-of-state, maybe even out-of-country. Others just want to get away from their parents.
@True13lue: Eh, it’s free tuition. Might as well give it a shot.
@David: Statistics are nice (I should know), but the reality for an individual can’t be described in such discreet numbers. Variables such as ambition, location, and expectation mar the numbers more than they may seem.
@Gujju: Your caution is duly noted.
I thank everyone who has contributed and who has been willing enough to back me up on my transition. Much obliged.
@Nass: Some people are out-of-state, maybe even out-of-country. Others just want to get away from their parents.
Yeah I guess it’s a lolAmerican type thing xD
@Nass: Some people are out-of-state, maybe even out-of-country. Others just want to get away from their parents.
Yeah I guess it’s a lolAmerican type thing xD
Has to be. Living with your parents is awesome. Free rent and food. THE FOOD KEEPS ME HERE!