should i just go for it - TravelPUNK Backpacker College Student Budget Travel Message Boards!

Layla · 05-31-2005, 06:39 AM

okay... I need some advice here. I am having one of those WHAT DO I DO WITH MY LIFE moments.
I am going to be a sophmore at the University of MIssouri.
I planned to spend my second semester of college next spring studying in Australia. But lately I've been feeling like I don't want to go back to this school in Missouri, ever.
I'm paying out of state to go there and it's not really worth it and I could get a great education here at the U in Minneapolis. It would save me tons of $$$$$ that I could use for traveling.
Then, I thought... well I have no idea what I want to major in or anything, so why not take some time off and use the money I have been saving to travel for the first semester and then go to the U next spring. Would taking a semester off of college totally screw me up? I feel like I don't really need to rush, but at the same time, I don't want to get behind.
Also, I don't know if this is just me 'giving up' and running away...but I feel like I am just wasting time in college at the moment without a clue of what I am doing there.
Also, while at Missouri I made some great friends, would this be bailing out on them? I'm a bit of a people pleaser, can't help it.
What do you guys think I should do?

**agriadam** · 05-31-2005, 07:07 AM

I think that if you are not feeling the college vibe than you should most definitely take a break. If your head is not in it then you will not do as well as if you are pumped about college. If you do decide to take the time off than you will more than likely realize something… the workforce without a college degree SUCKS and you will want to go back to school. Good luck with your decision...it's not an easy one. Oh and as for the friends you've made well....you’ll find new ones.

**jabad17** · 05-31-2005, 07:33 AM

I'd say definitely take the semester off, especially if you have the money. I took a year off after HS and then took five years to do my degree and don't regret it. You might get done faster but if you don't know what you want to do you are just going nowhere really fast. As for friends, adam is right, you can always make new ones. friendships in college tend to be very transient and after you graduate most of you will just go your separate ways anyway. It doesn't mean you weren't friends, it's just the way life is.

good luck with whatever you decide

**worldwidemike** · 05-31-2005, 10:07 AM

jabad is right. I also took a year off after high school (to travel). Then, when I returned, I took another year off to enter the Army Reserve (basic training, schooling). When I finally entered college with a total of two years off, I was a much more focussed and disciplined student.

I say go for it. Travel. See the world. College and the workingworld will always be there waiting for you when you're ready. Until then, enjoy the merry go round...

worldwidemike

**kingcrazylegs** · 05-31-2005, 12:45 PM

I took 2 years off before college as well and that made a HUGE difference in my life. I went and spent a year in Canada, then went to Malta and ended up living there for 5 years and going to school there. My point is that is really changed my perspective and direction. I say do whatever will help you grow and learn the most

Layla · 05-31-2005, 03:57 PM

Thanks guys.

I wish I had taken a year off before I left for college. I just picked a school last minute and went, because that's what I thought I was suppossed to be doing.

I think I am going to have a really hard time telling my friends what I'm doing, but I know I will make other ones and as everyone has been telling me, I have to do what's best for me and not do what I think other people might want me to do.

I'm hesitant at times because I have the tendency to spontaneously do things when I feel restless, like go on trips...I hope that isn't a bad thing. I think I worry too much.

Layla · 05-31-2005, 03:59 PM

Oh and another reason why I kind of want to do this...my sister is moving to a little village in the south of france, and it could mean some quality time with her.

**LaurieL622** · 05-31-2005, 04:40 PM

True...college and work will always be there. If you don't value the college experience, or if you're not gaining anything from it...then you should take some time off.

Unlike work though, the college experience won't always be the same when you're 20, 30, or 40...it's not just about lectures and papers. College is being exposed to ppl from all kinds of backgrounds, amazing professors, different points of views, ideas, and opinions. It's discovering what you want to do, what you're interested in, what you hate, and where your niche might be. The problem is that that's not a guarantee of college, some are lucky enough to experience it...and some, who only view college as a stepping stone to a better career, miss out on it. Anyway...travel can be all those things as well. So if you're not ready for school than there are plenty of other options for you. Sorry there's no specific answer here...lol...I just wanted to point out that college can be very beneficial if you're open to what it has to offer.

**bellelass** · 05-31-2005, 05:44 PM

Quote:

Would taking a semester off of college totally screw me up? I feel like I don't really need to rush, but at the same time, I don't want to get behind.
Also, I don't know if this is just me 'giving up' and running away...but I feel like I am just wasting time in college at the moment without a clue of what I am doing there.
Also, while at Missouri I made some great friends, would this be bailing out on them? I'm a bit of a people pleaser, can't help it.
What do you guys think I should do?

Wow wow wow wow.. You're exactly where I was last fall. I packed up, pulled out, and went to live in london for half a year. I hated where I was here in texas, I felt like I was wasting time in school and like the world was passing me by.. I had some pretty big upheavals in my personal life, and I really wanted to get away and just chill... get some perspective. Now I'm back, ready to go to classes again in the fall, much less restless.. I feel like I understand more about myself now than I did before.
A note about telling your friends.. with me, some of them were really supportive, some acted like I was a little touched in the head, while a few were actually hostile about it... So watch out... And I dont know what to tell you about changing schools... Maybe go away for a while and then decide. Best of luck to you...

By the way, if you're an american looking to go down under you can get visas to work in oz (4 months) and nz (1 year). I am thinking of working when I go down there, anyway its something for you to think about. Also, dont winter in London. Its suicide for your soul and you will have a perpetual cold.

**LostFarmboy** · 05-31-2005, 07:18 PM

well, just to throw a spanner in the works...

I was in the same boat as you, i went straight from school to uni, didn't really know what i wanted to do, didn't want to be there at all, was very close to leaving, but i stuck it out and completed my degree. Even though i wasn't particularly happy or focused i managed to get through with pretty good results. Now that i'm out and working and earning semi decent money i'm very glad that i stuck it out. As far as travel goes, my degree has opened up many doors for me. I am only a month away from going on an around the world trip, this is something that i would have really struggled to save for if i didn't complete my degree. Also, i plan on maybe moving to Canada or the UK for a year to work and travel, again this is something that i think would have been much more difficult if i didn't have my degree as the workforce is much more receptive to formal qualifications. So, I'm still doing the travelling, but i'm doing it now at age 22 instead of when i was 18.

I know i would have enjoyed uni a lot more, and thus got better results, if i would have taken 6 months or a year off to travel and discover myself, but i made it in the end. Also, it's not as if i'm bound to my current profession, if i decide that i'm not in the right field (which is quite likely) i can always go back to school and try something else.

And that's my experience in the uni or travel dilema.

**MeTurk** · 06-01-2005, 05:01 AM

Is collage in the states really that important, you can do very well without it here.

**agriadam** · 06-01-2005, 05:15 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by MeTurk@Jun 1 2005, 07:00 AM
Is collage in the states really that important, you can do very well without it here.

sorry but what is "here"

**elfmaiden** · 06-01-2005, 06:13 AM

I totally agree with people. I jumped right into uni and switched majors a million times wondering why I just couldn't concentrate. I was a rather good student in highschool, but I felt completely out of place and just really not focusing on what I should have been. So I took some time off and went to work, am saving up for a trip and already I think I have a much clearer picture of what I want in life.

I'm planning to go back to school in about a year, knowing I'll be able to feel less anxious about doin' the wrong thing.

Jenn

**LaurieL622** · 06-01-2005, 09:30 AM

Quote:

I know i would have enjoyed uni a lot more, and thus got better results, if i would have taken 6 months or a year off to travel and discover myself, but i made it in the end. Also, it's not as if i'm bound to my current profession, if i decide that i'm not in the right field (which is quite likely) i can always go back to school and try something else

I completely agree...I went straight to college after high school with no breaks in my 4 1/2 years. I'm sure I would have appreciated it more (better grades) after travelling first, but that's the route I chose. I loved college, and took a lot from it. I never saw it as something to pad my resume (and believe me, with my degree, it hasn't

). I saw it as a great learning opportunity and a good resource to help me figure out what I wanted out of life. But travel and be all those things as well, in a different way.

Quote:

Is collage in the states really that important, you can do very well without it here.

I'm not sure if it's "that important" as much as it is a societal norm....and like I've mentioned, it's not just about a degree. It's very expected for high school grads to go off to university. Many (who never want to go to begin with) play that role for a few years in junior college before leaving to pursue other things.

**bellelass** · 06-01-2005, 11:49 AM

In my high school class, 98% of us went straight to a university. You HAVE to go to college, you simply cant do anything with your life that has any meaning unless you have some goddamned piece of paper.

**mowark** · 06-01-2005, 02:32 PM

True, if you're playing the odds. But lots of people do great things without a degree. Time off isn't always a bad idea either. I failed all of my classes (except one) my freshmen year and took 5 years off school. Now I'm a year from graduation (Go Horns), and I'm ready to learn a lot more than I was 7 years ago. School is much more useful to me now than it was then. That said, I sure wish I would have finished 3 years ago, but I know I just wasn't ready.

I also remember reading recently that 2 year junior colleges and technical schools are a better return on your investment in today's economy. That's something to consider if you're only in it for the money. Personally, I'm in school to open doors to more opportunity (TEFL).

**kyle j** · 06-01-2005, 02:56 PM

Well hers my take, I went to FSU right out of high school, left after a semester finished my AA at a junior college and am now at USF, I wanted to take a semester off after I left FSU but I am so glad I didnt know, I am still on pace to graduate on time but my study abroad might push it back one semester but we will see. But I am glad I am near on track still because I am looking into grad school now and looking at maybe 4 more years or school so I am glad I have stayed with it and should graduate withing a year or so. My advice might be to go back to your home state school next fall and give it a semester there and apply for a study abroad program for the spring or following fall, you can use the money you save to pay for the study abroad and you can travel and get credit and get a chance to really experience living abroad, especially if you can get something with a homestay. I would just be careful with taking time off, it is great for some people but it can be difficult for some to get back, most of the older adults in my classes usually say they went to school left and are just getting back and wish they had just sucked it up for a few years. But only you know whats best for you good luck.

**TheJake** · 06-01-2005, 03:19 PM

without reading any of this topic I would say

DONT DO IT.

but like I said I didn't read it and don't know what you are asking advice on.

Layla · 06-01-2005, 03:49 PM

jakethepunk :

that made me laugh. way to play it safe.

ummmmm so i think i'm more confused now than ever!

good advice though guys... better than my parents who told me to just do it!! (they're a little on the crazy side... definitley pushing the "go ! run free! you're young! explore!"
My thing is, I love college. I love learning. I love all of that. I want to be in college. But I don't want to be in Missouri. In fact, the thought of driving 8 hours backt here in the fall ... well it just isn't going to happen. Don't get me wrong, I had a good time and I have some great friends there, but I am a city girl at heart... small towns just don't do it for me.
I applied to transfer to minneapolis but I was very close to the deadline and I'm not sure I'll get in for fall semester. That was when I started thinking, well if I don't get in I should travel for a semester and start in the spring. Does that make more sense? I definitely want to finish my degree... whatever that will be. And I'm in no rush.
It's true, it is an important thing to have and I know that. There's just this voice in my head that's always telling me my time is running out and I'm young and I should follow my heart and not the 'rules'. And there is a much more reasonable voice that tells me , hey you need to make money girl! ahhh money.... maybe I'll just find a sugar daddy. (not really)

**voyd** · 06-01-2005, 03:52 PM

Study overseas and kill 2 birds with 1 stone.