Anyone not sure what they want to do?

[Squaggleboggin]

That's the attitude you need.

It drives my boss insane. From time to time he tries to lord over me and I just blow him off.

It drives my wife insane when I'm Mr. Cool. I have to remind her that just because I'm not freaking out that doesn't mean that I don't care or have plans. Sometimes I also have to remind her that just because I don't care doesn't mean that I don't understand.

I learned very early from my family that freaking out and becoming angry only makes problems worse. I'm actually somewhat thankful for this since I now realize never to lose my temper, or freak out, or be surprised by nearly anything. It's worked wonderfully so far.

And I also agree fully with your point about making things happen for yourself and controlling your own life. I don't plan to walk down whatever path another person wants for me. It's my life and I'm going to make the most of it.

Actually, It's not near as bad as you think.
I was in your shoes a year or 2 ago.
I am in my second semester at a community college, and here's the deal.


I would advise you to go to community college for the first 2 years and just get a core Associates degree in science or art.

By doing this you get rid of all the basics that you will need at a state university. And you will be able to transfer to most public schools in your state with that degree.
From there you can decide, and by 2 years, 99% of people have made a decision...that's not to say you won't change it, but at least at that point you have a direction to go in.

I was so worried all senior year about what I was gonna do, and what I should plan for, and even into my first semester.

The real deal is that highschool turns out not to be important.
As long as you pass with decent grades and do alright on the SAT.
You will be fine.

Just go to a Community college for at least a couple semesters to get the feel for college life, and then go from there. It will be much easier than what you are feeling it is right now.

Actually, I have two older siblings who went to a community college first. One regrets it and the other doesn't: The one who doesn't ended up transferring back after going to a private school that kind of screwed her over; the one who does ended up taking just as long to receive his four-year degree and doesn't think the community college helped him at all. Needless to say, I have some reservation in doing so. Not to mention the fact that my parents would probably not let me.

One unfortunate thing about me is that I want to learn so much about so many things. My problem of where to go and what to study wouldn't be a problem at all if I had a single interest. But I have too many to list, and my mindset at the moment is that there's not enough time in the world to learn them all (but in a good way).

I know college life will suit me, though. I'll have much more of my own schedule and I'll be able to actually stay awake according to my natural sleep cycle (I'm nocturnal). I'm just overwhelmed with college choices and how you must choose before you're 20 years of age what you'd like to do with the rest of your life. I don't like this aspect of society whatsoever, and I plan to move out of the country in eventuality; I'd rather not have my kids go through the same pressures. (I need to do a lot more research before I move out though, of course.)

I think you'll do fine in life Squag. You are intelligent for your age and have better grammar and spelling then 99% of the people on this board. Pick something that you enjoy and stick with it.

Thanks, DB. I really do appreciate it.

Funny thing is that everyone seems to have confidence in my future except me. I'm not fishing for compliments or anything (especially on a forum...), and I'm not saying I'll go nowhere with my life, but everyone close to me seems to think I'll just end up as a scientist and live happily ever after at NASA headquarters or something.

Things I've learned from life:
-"You can't please everyone, so you've got to please yourself."
-Nothing can make you feel a certain way without your permission.
-Self-control and knowing yourself are of utmost importance.
-Don't sweat the small stuff (take a perspective of your entire life to determine what the small stuff really is).
-Don't sweat the big stuff (it's not going to help fix it anyway).
-Educate yourself.
-Help others - just because you should.

While certainly not an exhaustive list, it does have some important points.

 

[DOMS]

I learned very early from my family that freaking out and becoming angry only makes problems worse. I'm actually somewhat thankful for this since I now realize never to lose my temper, or freak out, or be surprised by nearly anything. It's worked wonderfully so far.

Not to mention that when you get angry and try to make a decision, you're more like the wrong one.

I still lose my temper, but I only allow it at moments where it doesn't matter (such as when driving or dealing with a person that means nothing to me). There are no bad emotions, just bad timing and reactions.

 

[Squaggleboggin]

Not to mention that when you get angry and try to make a decision, you're more like the wrong one.

I still lose my temper, but I only allow it at moments where it doesn't matter (such as when driving or dealing with a person that means nothing to me). There are no bad emotions, just bad timing and reactions.

Definitely agree about making a decision while emotional. I find that emotion clouds thought.

I do think that emotions which make you vulnerable (such as anger) could be classified as 'bad,' though.

 

[DOMS]

Definitely agree about making a decision while emotional. I find that emotion clouds thought.

I do think that emotions which make you vulnerable (such as anger) could be classified as 'bad,' though.

Anger has saved the lives of many people.

I still think it's not the emotion that's bad, it the action you take that could be bad.

 

[Burner02]

I'm just overwhelmed with college choices and how you must choose before you're 20 years of age what you'd like to do with the rest of your life.

kind of one of the reasons I chose to go into the Air Force. I still wasn't sure what I wanted to do..and was wasting my parents' and my money attending college...
after the military, I got out and got my associate's...now, 6 years after that...am thinking of going back and finishing my bachelors in a different major...

 

[BoneCrusher]

My job and training has always been good, but theres a time when a person feels a need for self-improvement. This has made me feel down and Ive been experiencing a lot of anxiety lately because of it. Lots of negative thoughts, "nevers, all or nothings," slippery slopes, I hate it.

I am the kind of person that sees every negative thing down the line, that I cant stay focused on what could be positive. I fucking hate feeling like this. I have an ok life, a lot better than others, so why do I feel like this? I should be grateful for everyday I can get up and live.

For instance, I have an audition in Feb 10 that may enable me to get into Univeristy of Florida. Ive been worried about actually moving there to a school, not knowing anyone, having to find work, and hoping that my money going to classes is going to net me a future.

I know there are some college kids in here, so I know you guys have experienced this shit, but I am 26 years old turning 27 in Feb.. I am going to feel really fucking ODD...and I am going to feel ODD alone.

When you get started at school ... do something social with your time. I started a student group ... The Non-Traditional Student's Association ... and used it to get things we as older students needed. For example the cafeteria was geared up to deal with 20 year old students in a dorm living situation ... not someone driving in every day on a limited budget. Dorm residents used their student ID to purchase meals at a steep discount ... meals paid for at the beginning of the semester ... while us non-dorm peeps had to pay up at full price on a daily basis. Our student group effected a change so that anyone could buy the same kind of deal the dorm residents enjoyed instead of paying the full price on a meal by meal basis. Being the President of a student group also get me in to the student government ... that was a gas. Played rugby, got on the school riffle team, joined the debate team, lifted at the university gym, and joined every damn student group I could from The Young Republicans to NORML. I even joined NOW ... gave a self defense class for women.


Women ... lots of college women.

I started college at 29. Your choices are not at the slightest limited by your age ... only by your imagination and energy levels. Go have fun and kick some college ass!!!

 

[Decker]

Life is a tiger by the tail.

We are not the driving forces we think we are in making our destinies. We are molded by the unconscious, irrationality...forces beyond our understanding. The best we can do is to live strong and well and to say, "yes" and marvel at this rollercoaster ride.

Morality and ethics come and go. There is more to learn and appreciate in the horrible and tragic aspects of life than there is when everything's A-ok.

Become yourself. Find out what you like and don't like and run with it--spontaneously. Stop feeling guilty. Face challenges of your own choosing everyday. There is no silver bullet or recipe for success. Just little guides along the way.

 

[KentDog]

Akira, there usually tends to be some (or a lot of) overlap for general education (GenEd) courses. You will likely have to backtrack some, but I doubt all of your classes will go to waste. I think most colleges give you x amount of years until your previous credits expire. I would call your community college and ask them. It is pretty normal to change your major several times during college; I have done this myself. Are you planning on getting a different AA degree from your community college then transferring to a university to complete a BA?

 

[AKIRA]

Akira, there usually tends to be some (or a lot of) overlap for general education (GenEd) courses. You will likely have to backtrack some, but I doubt all of your classes will go to waste. I think most colleges give you x amount of years until your previous credits expire. I would call your community college and ask them. It is pretty normal to change your major several times during college; I have done this myself. Are you planning on getting a different AA degree from your community college then transferring to a university to complete a BA?

Thats definetly something I want to avoid at all costs.

 

[viet_jon]

This is prolly the BEST fucking thing Ive read about anxiety. Using it for fuel, so to speak. I am printing it.

viet, werent you depressed recently? I could of sworn there was a thread from you some time ago.

ya I was really depressed and anxious for a years time. I'm 95% back to normal now. It all started at a major turning point in my life. It's been hell, but If I had to do it again, I wouldn't change anything for this learning experience.

live n learn I guess. Failing is good.

 

[KentDog]

Thats definetly something I want to avoid at all costs.

So what's your plan? Were you hoping you could start at a university with a different major than your AA? How many different universities have you tried applying to so far? You may need to write a letter for consideration as an exception as well as provide letters of recommendation. I would call around universities to talk to an official about your plan. They will give you a better idea than any of us can.

 

[Brachiisaurus]

Actually, I have two older siblings who went to a community college first. One regrets it and the other doesn't: The one who doesn't ended up transferring back after going to a private school that kind of screwed her over; the one who does ended up taking just as long to receive his four-year degree and doesn't think the community college helped him at all. Needless to say, I have some reservation in doing so. Not to mention the fact that my parents would probably not let me.

One unfortunate thing about me is that I want to learn so much about so many things. My problem of where to go and what to study wouldn't be a problem at all if I had a single interest. But I have too many to list, and my mindset at the moment is that there's not enough time in the world to learn them all (but in a good way).

I know college life will suit me, though. I'll have much more of my own schedule and I'll be able to actually stay awake according to my natural sleep cycle (I'm nocturnal). I'm just overwhelmed with college choices and how you must choose before you're 20 years of age what you'd like to do with the rest of your life. I don't like this aspect of society whatsoever, and I plan to move out of the country in eventuality; I'd rather not have my kids go through the same pressures. (I need to do a lot more research before I move out though, of course.)

I think you're misconstruing the idea of what community college is for.
It's the same as a university except:

It is much cheaper.
You can get an associate's degree.
You are not forced to live on campus.
You are not forced to pick a major.

That's pretty muchly it.
Of course, there are other minor differences, like they are smaller, etc etc.

But you get the idea.

CC just lets you get your basics done for much cheaper and gives your more freedom IMO.

 

[Squaggleboggin]

Anger has saved the lives of many people.

I still think it's not the emotion that's bad, it the action you take that could be bad.

It's also gotten a lot of people killed or into situations they wouldn't be in had they not become angry.

Yes, it's the action you take, but that action is strongly influenced if you allow yourself to become too emotional. That's just how I look at it.

It never ceases to amaze me how life works when you just take a step back and give it a good, deep look. I mean, you could even ask yourself if it matters what you do as long as you don't dislike it. After all, your job doesn't have to be your whole life, either. Sometimes I can't decide whether it's best to stop looking and let ideas come my way as they inevitably will, or keep searching actively and drive myself crazy. The reason is that I don't believe a job exists that involves all of my interests, so what's the point of looking for one? Or why not make one? Or invent a new field? Hmm...

 

[Squaggleboggin]

I think you're misconstruing the idea of what community college is for.
It's the same as a university except:

It is much cheaper.
You can get an associate's degree.
You are not forced to live on campus.
You are not forced to pick a major.

That's pretty muchly it.
Of course, there are other minor differences, like they are smaller, etc etc.

But you get the idea.

CC just lets you get your basics done for much cheaper and gives your more freedom IMO.

I don't think I'm misconstruing it; I know people who have attended them and who are attending them now, and I even went to the cc near me last semester. I have their and my opinions about it, and that's as real as it gets. I know, for example, that many of the credits won't transfer out of state, which is where I plan to go. And that I wouldn't want to commute each day I have class. However, I can't live at home for another two years. I would honestly rather pay $30,000 to go to school away from home for the next two years alone. I'm not saying it isn't a great option for a lot of people - because it is - but I wouldn't put myself through that.