Dropping out of University

Alrighty I'll share my 2 cents.

I'm in college (just finished my third semester and I'm on a co-op term) and I'm now living 10 hours from my hometown (prolly around 1000km give or take a 100). I've wanted to drop out since halfway through the first semester. I even packed my bags once. I'm going through to become a Computer Systems Technologist (basically a Network Admin with a fancy title). I'm still in the course because I do well (top 5 of my class every semester), and that's the only reason. Every semester I make a new group of friends because the guys I hung around with the previous semester have all dropped out and moved back to their hometowns. Some of them are happy, the program wasn't for them... others who truly love computers have been back. My friends are now a semester behind me (some of them two semesters), completing courses and test that they've already done and paying for the same stuff twice. I've had my share of regrets in my life, but I know if I drop out... It'll be a huge regret. I do it because I always finish what I start, and to me dropping out is as bad as flunking out and I refuse to quit. I don't even plan on going into computers when I graduate, I don't think I could ever spend my life working around them (they don't present me with a challenge), so when I graduate this program I'll be doing another program (who knows what.. maybe I'll become a chef).. but at least down the road I'll have this to fall back on.

Maybe it's not the type of response you were looking for.... but that's my experience. If you want to make friends, start talking to the guy sitting next to you in class, or some random person in the hall way. Walk into the caf and sit at a crowded lunch table and strike up a conversation. I met a lot of people by going fundraising, we have "Shinerama" every year, it's Canada-wide and it's to raise money for CF. I bring my guitar and play while the people I'm partnered with shine shoes. It may not seem like much but it's for a good cause and I've met some really great people. Go to a bar and look for the girl that no other guy there wants to talk to... by her a drink. You don't have to pick her up, but you've just found yourself someone to talk to and quite possiby a friend. Walk the library and when you see someone grabbing a book you enjoy or that's by an author you enjoy comment on it, discuss the book. Search ICQ and MSN for people from your uni town. Most students can be found on their and since you are just typing it can relieve a lot of the stress.

As of right now I am working as a web developer, network admin and custom graphics for a company and I get paid good money right now (God helped me on that one).

Now that I am done tooting my own horn I will tell you the reason I am still attending a University.

[why]
I have had a job since I was about 9 years old. At nine I would enter invoices and PO's for my Dad's small company. Then I graduated to the teen's I decided to get rid of the nice computer job and go work at a PLANT FARM. I made horrible pay and worked long hours. At age 14 I was taking the RTA to and from work. (sidenote: My family wasn't/isn't poor at all. My Dad is a successful business owner and is an awesome father. The reason for this story is to explain why I see things the way I do.) I soon got another office job stapling and filing. I then graduated to top technical advisor at my current place of employment we boast 30 worldwide offices.
[/why]

Now, I am in a very good position at this company. However I do not want to be trapped here. I want to be able to have other options (you always need options) so that is why I am still getting my degree. I am not getting a degree in computers but any degree with help when looking for a new job.

[reason]
You do not want to be locked down into a job with no future you want to be able to have options so that you can GO for what YOU want.
[/reason]




Thanks For Listening sorry for grammatical errors.

Adiz

Thanks again for all your repiles.

After considering all your experiences and advice i've come to the conculsion that although i'm not fitting in here very well, and that sometimes everything get me down and i just can't see a way out, it would be a mistake to leave and give up on almost a year of study without have anything to show for it (except a debt).

I've decided to try and stick it out, after all, in a few years time when it's over i can do anything, anywhere, and i'd have a degree in my back pocket to help me along.

Thanks for all the advice about making friends , but i really couldn't do some of that stuff, and wouldn't want to. I don't want to change me just to fit in. People who do that are so fake i think. I'm like that other dude i think, any friends that i do make are normally because they have come and talked to me first.

Thanks again for all your support.

Quote:

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Thanks for all the advice about making friends , but i really couldn't do some of that stuff, and wouldn't want to. I don't want to change me just to fit in. People who do that are so fake i think. I'm like that other dude i think, any friends that i do make are normally because they have come and talked to me first.

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But I don't think you'd have to be fake to fit in. Attending a linux club meeting to get info on latest linux stuff or checking for a 2600 meeting in your area (YAY! Latest issue is out) isn't swaying from your true self (that is, IMHO, the search for more knowledge). Have you checked if there is a student board there? I know at our college there is a student board (albeit sometimes a whine fest) where students can yap about courses, bitch about profs (and prof meanness and toughness on tests) and just generally fool around.

Certainly your choice as to how you do things but sometimes even just attending these meetings without even saying something can benefit you in the long run and sometimes in ways not intended.