To Drop out of college and pursue my dream??

[kj7697]

Recently I've been feeling extremely unmotivated, to a degree I have never felt before. I feel completely apathetic towards school as a result. Recently though, on the bright side, I have through Steve's website and other resources come to realize my true passion to become a songwriter. My friend and I are trying to get starting in just writing music because that is our passion. I've been having this inner calling though to not wait, but to discontinue school and pursue my dream. But it isn't that easy...I would disappoint parents, relatives, and friends, possibly even make them angry. I feel trapped...can anyone relate and/or give advice?

[LifeFirst]

Are you paying for your own tuition, because if you are. Don't matter what your parents think.


If you're not, you best to talk to them about this before making any rash decisions. The thing is, you have to find a way to enjoy what you are doing. Maybe your classes are boring because they are too easy?? If that's the case, change your major, find a harder, more challenging major that forces you to stay up late and work on things. It's less likely that you will get bored then.

Look, there are times in Life when you just HAVE to get through something. No matter how you feel, no discussion, no second-guessing, just have to get through it. Maybe this is your chance to show and prove. It's how I see it at least. You made it all the way to college right? I mean, you went through middle school and high school fine right? College is just a little more work that's all.

[chopsaw]

I can't think of a better place to be other than college. You've got an audience base of other students and a supply of innovative thinkers. In the English department you have a number of writers (or wanna bes) poets, and quite possibly a music department full of trained ears. Before making the move to quit, perhaps you should look at college as an orchard ripe for the picking.

[andrew]

I agree, quite surprisingly. In this case, I would change your degree to a music major then. You learn so much taking music classes, and the best part is, you meet like-minded people.

[Enlightenment]

There are a few threads here dealing with how to follow one's dreams. Sometimes these dream may be in conflict with one's schooling. After all Mark Twain once said,

'I have never let my schooling interfere with my education'

I say that you would probably be serving your self and the world the best if you focused on songwriting.

If you would like to change majors that's an ok idea, however, classes just by their nature take up a lot of time and effort, as well as intention. Could you focus on both songwriting and classes? I could have done the same thing, but I knew that the screenplay I was writing needed my full attention and intention, and not just a couple hours a day. It is akin to taking care of an infant, you can't just leave it for any length of time, you must tend to it always. The same with songwriting. If you would like to start a career in music then I suggest you focus on it totally. You must be able to eat, sleep, and breath songwriting - not just for short and sporadic periods of time.
I hope this helps. I wish you the best. E

[Kevin Givens]

When I first read the OP's request for help I was of the "Drop out and pursue your dreams" mindset. Then I read the responses including this one,

Originally Posted by chopsaw

I can't think of a better place to be other than college. You've got an audience base of other students and a supply of innovative thinkers. In the English department you have a number of writers (or wanna bes) poets, and quite possibly a music department full of trained ears. Before making the move to quit, perhaps you should look at college as an orchard ripe for the picking.

That's a great suggestion chopsaw! I like looking at it from a marketing perspective. Not only that, someone else mentioned changing your major to Music, which compliments your dream well.

This could be a fantastic opportunity to switch your college focus to Music or English (maybe both). Get involved with music and poetry clubs, meet and network with those who could be potential fans of your work.

You could even start your own Songwriting Club where you get together with other potential songwriters and talk about various songwriting tools, conduct interviews with professional songwriters, and share songs with each other.

Either way, I wish you luck with realizing your dream!

[Liara Covert]

The advice already offered is certainly food for thought.
You need to have a means of paying your bills and it isn't always wise to make rash decisions. If you believe your passion is music, you may be able to find ways to reorganize your study plan to focus on it or incorporate it in your life some other way. Here are a few suggestions:

a) explore college course options that allow you to develop your gift
b) join an existing band or start one as a means to help pay bills during school
c) explore options with a college guidance counsellor, musical mentor or, a trusted friend
d) investigate community opportunities where you may find musicians interested in playing your stuff or mentoring you
e) research music scholarships or do your own fundraising to pursue your passion (I know an opera singer who organized public concerts to raise money to pursue her studies. The effort was great PR and has helped launch her career)

[Power]

If you have 50% of years left studying, then finish it off. You are half way, it is always a good lesson and habit in life to finish what you started.

[rbhambha]

Honestly, college may be too structured and limited scope for some people. If you know your passion, and you're 100% committed to converting your vision into your reality, then go for it.

School is a "safety net" you don't need. What will that degree get you? A job which you don't want and credibility which you don't need (in your case).

Ultimately what you'll find is that listening to everyone's perspectives will not change the way you truly feel about the situation. Listen to your own inner voice and make the decision that is best for you and never look back. If it was a mistake, you will find out someday. But you couldn't have figured it out without deciding to drop out in the first place.

Cheers

[BChris]

Im in the same situation right now. I want to be doing things like blogging or programming and inventing new products but college for me is all about reading books to get good grades. By the way Im studying computer science but its kind of boring when you need to do things just for the grades and not because you like it and its important. What I did is that I have all my classes in only 2 days (13 credits) and that get me the feeling I can do other stuff thats not related to reading boring things. Right now is working for me because i have a lot of time to study and do the kind of stuff I like and still in college. By the way this is my blog Technology Matter

[iChaz]

I think you shouldn't go to this extreme yet at least. Try utilizing the fact that you're uninterested by the school. Use your 'passion' for songwriting to make it more interesting. As someone wrote earlier, you have a great audience and network in a college. You should use this to your advantage to give yourself an idea of what you really want to do.
Best of luck,
Chaz

[Michelle]

Check out what I just posted: I remembered something important today.

Good luck to you.

[Dusty]

Originally Posted by kj7697

Recently I've been feeling extremely unmotivated, to a degree I have never felt before. I feel completely apathetic towards school as a result. Recently though, on the bright side, I have through Steve's website and other resources come to realize my true passion to become a songwriter. My friend and I are trying to get starting in just writing music because that is our passion. I've been having this inner calling though to not wait, but to discontinue school and pursue my dream. But it isn't that easy...I would disappoint parents, relatives, and friends, possibly even make them angry. I feel trapped...can anyone relate and/or give advice?

Do you choose to live for others, or do you live for numero uno? (trick question)

I've found the most selfish people are also the most selfless people. As one grows, so does the other.

[ellie]

I posted this in a thread a few post down, with someone with a similar dilemma.

Hope it helps YouTube - A nice motivational speech of Steve Jobs

[kj7697]

I want to thank everyone truly from the bottom of my heart, I can't believe that people out there care enough to give their opinions on this matter, this is just awesome. I hope to receive more opinions and advice in the future. To update, I feel a lot better knowing that somewhere out there is an opportunity that awaits me and I feel already that I know my passion without question. I am talking to a lot of people and asking for guidance. I hope I don't disappoint or offend anyone because I didn't consider their advice; rest assured, none have not been taken into account. I wish everyone well and I am looking forward to more feedback in the future.

[Joely]

My friend went through this dilemma. She was doing psychology for the sake of her parents, and gave it up after a year to transfer onto a degree in pop music and culture. Her mother was absolutely furious about it, but now she's in a band that's starting to make waves over here. I've long fought with the need to please my parents, but to be honest, it's not their life, it's yours.

Have a read of Robin Sharma's "The Monk Who Sold His Ferrari" series, especially the one entitled "Seven Stages to Awakening". That might help you out.

J x