-- Posted by Anonymous at 4:19 pm on Feb. 23, 2008 "College is the best four years of your life?" Damn I hope not! I'm in my second year of college. I'm doing alright gradewise. First semester I almost was on academic probation because of my grades and a major I wasn't very good in. I switched and now I'm at a B average. I'm involved on a college sports team so that keeps me busy. I tend to spend more time at that practicing than out with other people. That's ok, because I'm not really into the party scene and I actually have athletic talent and don't want to ruin it by getting fat with alcohol or suspended from getting an underage drinking conviction. I like my friends but they just seem like they are just aquantances; someone to talk to. We're close, but nowhere near "will you be a bridesmaid at my wedding close?" And that makes me feel quilty too just the fact we'll never be as close as my friends I had growing up.  I'm actually not homesick. When at home during the summer, I realize this is my time to work at my job so my workschedule is filled because I have to make my money for the year in a three month period. So I don't see my friends that much, but I know they're there. I've never really liked school. I'm doing well with my grades now but school just doesn't come to me. I have to study way more than other people have to. And it's very stressful. I get really bad test anxiety. But the main reason I don't like college is because I don't get to work at a job. I should rephrase that; a career. If there was a magic button that allowed me to switch from college to a career I would push that button. And I'm talking a solid career, not flipping burgers at a fast food chaing (no offense). I'm a very work oriented person and have been quite successful. I have started my own business, (even though I got out of it since I'm making more money at my current job) I'm 20 and I already have an retire account set up, and I've got pretty good financial smarts (ex. knowing to put money in a CD compounded semiannually at 4.5% interest rather than a standard savings account with 1% interest. This is a safer bet than investing in the stock market too.) When I'm working, I'm happy. My parents don't want me to get a job at college since they say college is my job and because I'm an athlete already balancing schoolwork with sports committments, I think I'm going to have to get a job. Psychologically, I can't stand the fact of going 9 months without bringing in any income.  Work does not control my life, but I need then sense that I am accomplishing something. Yes, I am on athletic scholarship so I don't have to pay for college. But I see this as a main advantage to get ahead of the world. Strange thing is that I'm not materialistic, I basically save everything I earn and don't blow my paychecks, but with inflation rates well over the typicall 5% per year, this is my chance to help my financial standing while my life isn't terribly impacted by other events. -- Posted by xbacardi151 at 7:54 am on Feb. 24, 2008 Well, I don't see anything wrong with you getting a job. If balancing school and sports is easy enough for you, you should get one, especially if it would end some tension in your pysche. It's your life, man. You make the decisions. -- Posted by tregan2005 at 11:49 am on Feb. 24, 2008 Holy crap dude, your thoughts are basically mine! I dislike college. I started at Northeastern, in 2005, which has Co-ops. Basically, every 6 months, you rotate and go out into the real world and get a degree level job, and get paid for it. I did this, and loved it. Then, I went back to school, as required. I hated it. I feel like I am getting nothing accomplished at school. At work, I had a very high paying job, a DoD security clearance, and benefits. I feel like I am just treading water at school. I know I should get a degree, but I hate not actually accomplishing anything (if that makes any sense). Like you, I spend the money I earn, I just save everything that I don't use to support my daily life. Right now, I took a semester off of school, and I am working full-time at the co-op job, and can't decide whether to go back to college. I know I should, but I hate every minute of it. I LOVE working. I get satisfaction from it.