Dropping Out of College...

[OnlyByMoonlight]

Just curious. Recently I have had to withdraw from my university due to psychological issues and looking at my future, have a plan that doesn't include finishing my bachelor's degree.

I'm not running off to join the circus or anything, my plan is a legit one, but my parents are really pushing me to finish my degree. Dont get me wrong, I want to, and if I am presented with the opportunity to do so, I will, but I'm facing the possibility that I might not and I just want to know, how much would this hurt me in the long run?

Right now I am planning to get my certification as a medical technician, work for a couple years at a hospital after which they will pay for nursing school, and then become a RN.

(Of course, I would really want to be a writer, but, of course, this is the more realistic plan)

 

[Handley_Page]

Just curious. Recently I have had to withdraw from my university due to psychological issues and looking at my future, have a plan that doesn't include finishing my bachelor's degree.

I'm not running off to join the circus or anything, my plan is a legit one, but my parents are really pushing me to finish my degree. Dont get me wrong, I want to, and if I am presented with the opportunity to do so, I will, but I'm facing the possibility that I might not and I just want to know, how much would this hurt me in the long run?

Right now I am planning to get my certification as a medical technician, work for a couple years at a hospital after which they will pay for nursing school, and then become a RN.

(Of course, I would really want to be a writer, but, of course, this is the more realistic plan)

What would be the Degree in ? In respect of your desired trade.
How far down that road are you (more that half-way there?)

 

[OnlyByMoonlight]

What would be the Degree in ? In respect of your desired trade.
How far down that road are you (more that half-way there?)

Its a psych degree and I'm actually really close. I was set to graduate this May actually however in the past year I have had some medical setbacks, overall though I'm one or perhaps 2 semesters away from finishing.

 

[Katyusha]

Just curious. Recently I have had to withdraw from my university due to psychological issues and looking at my future, have a plan that doesn't include finishing my bachelor's degree.

I'm not running off to join the circus or anything, my plan is a legit one, but my parents are really pushing me to finish my degree. Dont get me wrong, I want to, and if I am presented with the opportunity to do so, I will, but I'm facing the possibility that I might not and I just want to know, how much would this hurt me in the long run?

Right now I am planning to get my certification as a medical technician, work for a couple years at a hospital after which they will pay for nursing school, and then become a RN.

(Of course, I would really want to be a writer, but, of course, this is the more realistic plan)

I say do what you feel is best for you. I do think you should consider the advice others give you, but in the end you have to take that advice and apply it as you see fit.

I did something similar, except I didn't have a plan when I dropped out of school. So life was kind of interesting for awhile. However...I dropped out with the intention of going back when I was ready and had the opportunity, and I did, and I finished. There's no shame in dropping out of school no matter how close you are to finishing. I also don't think it'll hurt you in the long run because of your plans. You'll go through nursing school and be a nurse and show that you can change course and still commit to finishing something. And what it'll show is that you have the ability to decide what's good for you and what's not. It'll also show that you're capable of evaluating a major situation and deciding what course is best, and that you can see when something is working and when it's no longer working. Mitigating circumstances that put you behind in school can make it so finishing your degree just isn't working for you right now. Trying to push through could end up hurting you more than dropping out and pursuing something different ever would.

Just be sure that this is what you want to do. And if you find that it's not, use the lessons you learn from this to figure out what *will* work for you.

 

[RunningJib]

FInish your degree

Just curious. Recently I have had to withdraw from my university due to psychological issues and looking at my future, have a plan that doesn't include finishing my bachelor's degree.

I'm not running off to join the circus or anything, my plan is a legit one, but my parents are really pushing me to finish my degree. Dont get me wrong, I want to, and if I am presented with the opportunity to do so, I will, but I'm facing the possibility that I might not and I just want to know, how much would this hurt me in the long run?

Right now I am planning to get my certification as a medical technician, work for a couple years at a hospital after which they will pay for nursing school, and then become a RN.

(Of course, I would really want to be a writer, but, of course, this is the more realistic plan)

I didn't finish mine until I had twenty plus year in my profession (IT). I spent too much time fighting the system. Don't make the same mistake that I did

 

[Boxlicker101]

Personally, I didn't start college until I was forty years old, and then I went at night after work, and earned a degree in four years of year-round college. Would it be possible to work during the daytime and take a few classes at night? Maybe only one or two per term.

Maybe I was just lucky there was a state university that offered night classes and was within easy driving distance.

ETA: I just noticed you are in La La Land. Does that mean Los Angeles, because it is often referred to as such in Northern CA. If you do, there are enough state universities near you that you should be able to do what I suggested. I attended Hayward State, by the way, and some local community colleges.

 

[PMI]

Realize you are lucky to have your parents catch you if you fall, no matter how uncomfortable this may be.

Get your BS, you are young and its not that far away for you.

just do it

 

[sr71plt]

I'd look at marketable skills that would support you--and then look at what the credentials are needed for that. I think it's always mistake to talk degree rather than career.

My daughter did get a college degree but when she was considering what she wanted to do, I told her we'd pay for whatever she wanted to do BUT that she needed a marketable skill so that she'd never have to be fully dependent on someone else by default.

One of my sisters has degrees out the whambang and has done fine, but she didn't retire before 30 with a living retirement income like another sister did who didn't want to go to college and went to white-glove secretarial school instead and got in on the ground floor of a booming business as the CEO's secretary--and then got switched to marketing director because of her smarts more than the paper credentials she came in with.

 

[TE999]

If you're that close to finishing take an evening course or two each semester...you can work and get a degree both. I earned my Masters like that...it took longer, but I did it and had a paycheck.

 

[voluptuary_manque]

In today's world, too many people think that a degree is some sort of highway to the good life. That is simply untrue. Far more important is a salable skill. An RN is such a skill and one that is in high demand. I support your plans. Get the med tech license. That will allow you to pay for the remainder of your RN. Once you are employed as an RN, do what TE999 said. As a degreed RN, you will get paid more. As an RN with an eventual MA, you will be able to work your way up the ladder into nursing admin or as a Physician's Assistant or in some more specialized (and even better compensated) area. Far more useful than a degree in Psych, I'm afraid.

 

[JAMESBJOHNSON]

If I had it to do over I wouldnt waste 8 years in college.

What I'd do is assess my aptitudes and interests with a battery of tests like the GATB (General Aptitude Test Battery) to determine my potential, then I'd take courses to nurture and develope my best aptitude.

With all my education I'm now involved in Urban Farming. I've had gardens since I was 8 years old! I love horticulture and agriculture. And I can sell you better stuff, cheaper than you can buy it from a grocery store. Plus you pick the produce from containers that are elevated waist high. No wandering over 40 acres of fields and stooping. Last Fall I grew 700 tomatoes from an 8X8 plot.

No boss. No cranky clients. If they dont like my peaches then go away!

So examine your aptitudes and your interests, and go for the gusto.

 

[cloudy]

In today's world, too many people think that a degree is some sort of highway to the good life. That is simply untrue. Far more important is a salable skill. An RN is such a skill and one that is in high demand. I support your plans. Get the med tech license. That will allow you to pay for the remainder of your RN. Once you are employed as an RN, do what TE999 said. As a degreed RN, you will get paid more. As an RN with an eventual MA, you will be able to work your way up the ladder into nursing admin or as a Physician's Assistant or in some more specialized (and even better compensated) area. Far more useful than a degree in Psych, I'm afraid.

An RN requires a four year degree. Just sayin'.

 

[TxRad]

An RN requires a four year degree. Just sayin'.

A lot of her credits should transfer over, shouldn't they?

 

[voluptuary_manque]

An RN requires a four year degree. Just sayin'.

Not in all states, but a 4-year RN certainly gets paid more and is far more likely to be advanced than a 2-year. Add an MA to that and you get into serious money.

 

[cloudy]

Not in all states, but a 4-year RN certainly gets paid more and is far more likely to be advanced than a 2-year. Add an MA to that and you get into serious money.

In all states, a two year is called an LPN, and a four year is called a RN.

 

[LaRocha]

In all states, a two year is called an LPN, and a four year is called a RN.

You and manque are both wrong. You can get your RN in two or four years, at community college or university. Hospitals don't favor any RN over any other RN when they're first employed. A four year degree to get your RN is only useful if you plan on getting your masters as PA or NP. Going to community college and getting your RN will get you the same pay as someone with a four year degree employed at the same hospital, nursing home, or clinic. LPNs are a step up from Nurse's Aid. You can get your LPN through a nursing home or hospital through real easy training. RN's are pros, LPNs and Nurse's Aids are little baby nurses. You can get your LPN with a high school degree. I'm the king of nurses, I've fucked every nurse vocation.

 

[sr71plt]

Cloudy is mixing up the BSN degree with the RN certification. You can become an RN through an associate degree or a certification course, both of which are short of a bachelor's degree education.

This from the Bureau of Labor Statistics:

http://www.bls.gov/oco/ocos083.htm

 

[carsonshepherd]

You can always go back and finish your degree, but if you wait too long, some of your credits may have to be re-taken. (35-year-old junior in college here.)

 

[Boxlicker101]

You can always go back and finish your degree, but if you wait too long, some of your credits may have to be re-taken. (35-year-old junior in college here.)

Hi, Kid. (I was a 40 year old freshman.)

 

[scouries]

you'll regret it...

QUOTE potential DROPOUT how much would this hurt me in the long run?

Its a psych degree and I'm actually really close. I was set to graduate this May actually however in the past year I have had some medical setbacks, overall though I'm one or perhaps 2 semesters away from finishing.


It will hurt you a lot! GET THE DEGREE!

A.S.A.P. A degree invariably delivers a great financial return. You’ll get paid more and will have more opportunities with the degree as opposed to not having one.

Your CV will look better (and yes it’s very important). Not having a degree will close a hundred doors to you.

You’ll have status not only in your working life but also in your personal one. You’ll live a happier life having it. You'll have smarter, richer more interesting friends. You face explaining why you dropped out for the rest of your life (to bosses, new friends, lovers, coworkers, children, etc., etc.) if you don’t complete it.

”I dropped out of University to become a medical technician,” you’ll explain a thousand times.

“You did?”

“In my final year,” you’ll add.

The person may not say it but they’ll be thinking, ‘What the fuck? What kind of bullshit is this? She/he dropped out of final year university to change bedpans?’

Some of the anecdotal stories posted above may sound reassuring but the fact is the DEGREE is vitally important to your future, no matter what you end up doing.

You, especially as a psych major, must know that quitting can become a habit. This close to the finish line you’re simply setting a precedent for a lifetime of failures.

I urge you to get the degree, it’s worth it.

Good luck.

jrs esq

 

[JAMESBJOHNSON]

But a psychology degree is almost worthless. I've been watching the pay for psychologists and social workers drop like hot rocks.

However, the RN route is much tougher than psychology.

 

[Handley_Page]

Its a psych degree and I'm actually really close. I was set to graduate this May actually however in the past year I have had some medical setbacks, overall though I'm one or perhaps 2 semesters away from finishing.

I'd say finish the damned thing. At least you'll have that qualification.
Two terms is not so long.

 

[LaRocha]

But a psychology degree is almost worthless. I've been watching the pay for psychologists and social workers drop like hot rocks.

However, the RN route is much tougher than psychology.

Psychology degrees are for jokers. I'd tell him to drop out of college if he's just gonna get some degree that's pretty much the new General Ed. At least if you study social work as an undergrad you can get some obscure state gov job.

 

[jomar]

But a psychology degree is almost worthless. I've been watching the pay for psychologists and social workers drop like hot rocks.

However, the RN route is much tougher than psychology.

A guy I know grad with a psych degree, decided to enter nursing and when he gets out with an RN he's looking at close to $130,000 a year in his specialization and location.

 

[RedHairedandFriendly]

If you can finish the degree in a couple of semesters I would finish that part of the process and go from there.

I'm 36, will be 37 in May and started college right out of high school, lasted there for a year, and then decided to become a wife and parent so I left school behind. I'm back in school now and enjoying it, but it is also a pain some days because I don't want to sit in a classroom with people that aren't there to learn, some are still acting like it is High School. I also worry about where I'll be when I have graduated...will I put my degree to use, or will it be something that I only use on special occasions.

I'm hoping to earn a degree in the Culinary field; my concentration is Pastry Arts. I'd like to open my own bakery, or at least that is what I hope to do. One day at a time.