Personal Development for Smart People Forums - View Single Post - Community College vs. Film School plus my lies with my parents? what to do...

Tasaio · 02-11-2008, 11:05 PM

You certainly aren't the first person to do this.

You've been smoking marijuana? 30% of young Americans are in that boat with you. Think about how much worse it could be; marijuana is mild compared to cocaine, ectstasy, LSD...

You've been stripping. Lots of women strip, and then go on to succeed in better ways. Think of the number of intelligent, successful actresses who have done nude scenes (Jennifer Connelly and Natalie Portman come to mind). Isn't that a kind of stripping?

WRT college, you honestly come across as wanting a quick degree...to avoid disappointing your parents.

They've done you a disservice if they taught you that "degree = success". Or, worse, "no degree = no success".

It's just not true. Lots of people--lots of women--are successful as authors, filmmakers, and artists without completing their degree. J.K. Rowling got rich off of her writing, not her English degree.

Of course, wrt that last point, you could argue that her degree helped her to develop her writing skills. They may be true, and it's for that idea that people recommend film school to aspiring filmmakers.

If you tried it, and didn't like it, then don't go back right away. Tell your grandparents that you haven't been enjoying, and haven't been doing well, and are taking some time off. Good parents are supportive of their children as these times.

Then, my advice, is to stay inside. Don't go out in your car--make an effort to stay inside and think "what do I want to right now". Research film famous filmmakers and their roads to success. Try making a short film of your grandparents' neighbourhood, and go from there.

Another thought that occurred to me was to use your experiences re: marijuana and stripping, to aid you in your filmmaking. You don't have to make the film biographical, but make a Michael Moore-esque documentary about college students, drugs, stripping, etc..

Lastly, I recommend avoiding TV if it makes you feel so lousy. Concentrate on this forums, Steve's blog, and success stories to keep your spirits up.

Other people have fared through far worse, and they did it--gasp!--without getting an A+ degree. And some people decided to go back after all--but they did it in their own time.

Regardless of what you choose, you'll be fine. The fact that you skirtted with reenrolling--the fact that you've come on this forum to talk about your guilt--tell us that you're a good, decent person.

Keep in touch, and good luck.

02-11-2008, 11:05 PM	#12 (permalink)
Tasaio Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2006 Posts: 273	You certainly aren't the first person... You certainly aren't the first person to do this. You've been smoking marijuana? 30% of young Americans are in that boat with you. Think about how much worse it could be; marijuana is mild compared to cocaine, ectstasy, LSD... You've been stripping. Lots of women strip, and then go on to succeed in better ways. Think of the number of intelligent, successful actresses who have done nude scenes (Jennifer Connelly and Natalie Portman come to mind). Isn't that a kind of stripping? WRT college, you honestly come across as wanting a quick degree...to avoid disappointing your parents. They've done you a disservice if they taught you that "degree = success". Or, worse, "no degree = no success". It's just not true. Lots of people--lots of women--are successful as authors, filmmakers, and artists without completing their degree. J.K. Rowling got rich off of her writing, not her English degree. Of course, wrt that last point, you could argue that her degree helped her to develop her writing skills. They may be true, and it's for that idea that people recommend film school to aspiring filmmakers. If you tried it, and didn't like it, then don't go back right away. Tell your grandparents that you haven't been enjoying, and haven't been doing well, and are taking some time off. Good parents are supportive of their children as these times. Then, my advice, is to stay inside. Don't go out in your car--make an effort to stay inside and think "what do I want to right now". Research film famous filmmakers and their roads to success. Try making a short film of your grandparents' neighbourhood, and go from there. Another thought that occurred to me was to use your experiences re: marijuana and stripping, to aid you in your filmmaking. You don't have to make the film biographical, but make a Michael Moore-esque documentary about college students, drugs, stripping, etc.. Lastly, I recommend avoiding TV if it makes you feel so lousy. Concentrate on this forums, Steve's blog, and success stories to keep your spirits up. Other people have fared through far worse, and they did it--gasp!--without getting an A+ degree. And some people decided to go back after all--but they did it in their own time. Regardless of what you choose, you'll be fine. The fact that you skirtted with reenrolling--the fact that you've come on this forum to talk about your guilt--tell us that you're a good, decent person. Keep in touch, and good luck.