College...drop out?

[hazerfazer]

I've been holding off making a post on here about this because I want to make my own decision about it, but I figure I might as well get some outside perspectives as well just to think about.

I got a full tuition scholarship to a great school, and am going for exercise science (I'm a freshman and have been here for a little over two weeks). However, I have been and am in love with music and I wanted and want to be involved in music. I just didn't think I wanted to go to college for it, because I didn't think a degree was worth it, and I figured a degree that was 'worth more' would be more "worth it". But I am tired of wasting time with something I don't love (exercise science). I mean I am interested in it, but I don't love it in the sense that that is what I want to do. I don't think I can make any significant meaningful contribution with that.

Everything is telling me I should drop out (and then enroll for the spring semester in another college). It's either that or stay for the semester and then transfer. However, I don't see the point in staying. My family wants me to stay, they don't think I've given it a fair shot, and they think I would be making a mistake. Every way I've looked at it, I can't see the reason to stay. I'm miserable here. I'm apathetic, bored, uninterested in what I'm doing, uninspired, etc. I'm struggling with the decision because I guess I'm not 100% sure I'll be better off if I drop out, and I don't want to disappoint my family. And I don't know what I'd do for the three months that I would have been in school.

If any of you have seen the movie Rudy, I guess I feel a bit like Rudy. I feel like I have big dreams and hopes but also some self-doubt. I'm just tired of having people tell me how to live my life when they aren't me and don't really know where I'm coming from, and I feel like they're holding me back. I feel like a lot of them aren't in any position to give me advice on this kind of thing when they've put up with jobs and situations they've disliked, etc. I don't want to listen to them anymore. I feel like I would assert my own personal power over my life by dropping out. And I feel like that would cause more growth than staying here for three months and putting up with being miserable ever could. I don't know, there is a lot more I could say about stuff, but I guess this is the gist. If any of you have any questions or would like to know anything please ask.

But I'm wondering what others thoughts are about my situation? Thanks.

[pkeod]

You got a full ride and you want to drop out? No, don't drop out. You can still work on your dream and go to school. If you drop out now without having a solid plan on everything else you want to do, you will regret your choice later.

Why can't you change what you're going to college for? Can't you change what you're working on to be more in tune to be what you are into?

If for anything else, finish school, then move on to something else. You've only been there for two weeks and you are already thinking of dropping out?

You need to watch this: YouTube - Will Smith - Running & Reading (The Key to Life)

[hazerfazer]

Originally Posted by pkeod

You got a full ride and you want to drop out? No, don't drop out. You can still work on your dream and go to school. If you drop out now without having a solid plan on everything else you want to do, you will regret your choice later.

Why can't you change what you're going to college for? Can't you change what you're working on to be more in tune to be what you are into?

If for anything else, finish school, then move on to something else. You've only been there for two weeks and you are already thinking of dropping out?

You need to watch this: YouTube - Will Smith - Running & Reading (The Key to Life)

My plan is to live at home and enroll in the county college for a year and a half and then transfer to a good state school, all of which I could do for free tuition based on my high school ranking/GPA.

I can't change what I'm going to college for because as far as college goes I would like to study music recording, and they don't have a program here for that.

I've seen the video before and while great, I don't see the relevance.

[pkeod]

I was getting at that you shouldn't give up so easily seeing as you've only been there for two weeks. Going to to a community college is actually a good idea. It sounds great that you can do all of that for free!

Why can't you go to school and study what you want to learn on your own? Even if the community college doesn't offer what you're looking for, there must still be tons of resources available to you at the library or even on net. I know that there is a lot of free, open source sound recording software on the net. If you can somehow build up a portfolio you may be able to get a good early job doing what you like.

[Alex Wu]

I was in a situation last year that reminds me of yours. I was in graduate school and didn't want to be there. It really didn't make much sense at all given what I wanted to do with my life, which wasn't anything related to a graduate degree.

But, a faint voice from my intuition told me that I was best off staying. Even though the rewards to staying in graduate school looked pretty miniscule, the rewards from leaving felt even lesser. It didn't look like I was going to enjoy it, but I stayed in grad school, knowing that there was a reason, and indeed, within about 3 months, it was clear what that reason was. I was going to have an experience generating income doing something I loved, and it wouldn't have been possible in that form had I never been to grad school.

So, looking back, I wouldn't change my decision, although at the time grad school seemed pointless. What I'm saying to you is that you need to find that little voice inside you, whatever form it comes in, and listen to it. Your ego may overwhelm your emotions, as it's very powerful. But at the end of the day, your intuition is always right, whilst your ego has no issues leading you off cliffs with the illusion that you're doing the right thing for yourself.

[Trustme]

Originally Posted by pkeod

You got a full ride and you want to drop out? No, don't drop out. You can still work on your dream and go to school. If you drop out now without having a solid plan on everything else you want to do, you will regret your choice later.

I absolutely agree with this.

[ar81]

Well, movies are visual literature and fiction.
Be careful about using this as example for your life.

So you want music?

MUSIC MAKING KIT
How to make music with Modplug Tracker
Search Results
You will need
Music tracker software (Modplug Tracker)
MODPlug Central :: View Forum - Software Downloads
Sound samples for Modplug tracker (download songs and rip their instruments)
The Mod Archive - Modarchive 3.1beta - A distinctive collection of music
Orchestra instruments for Modplug tracker
kiarchive.relcom.ru:/pub/misc/sounds/samples/ft2 - Fast Tracker 2 instruments archive.

I would advise you to stay. Science and music sounds like a great combination. Science could give you a salary to pay for your music dream.

I had some basic knowledge of classic guitar when I was a kid but I left it for years. I started with Modplug Tracker a few years ago and by now I have my own multimedia show. Having a job allowed me to afford my dream.

Yesterday I composed a song for my wife's birthday. If I was being paid to make music to fit customer requests, I would start to hate music. But just as it is now I feel free.

If you want to love science, download orbiter (see my sig) and play using this tutorial
Virtual Spaceflight - Go Play in Space

[Jim11]

I would say if you're sure you would rather be in the music recording program then do it.

Enroll for the spring and make the change. I disagree with the suggestion that you should continue with the other program just because it's a free ride. A free ride to discontent should be passed up.

Just make sure you're sure about the change before you make it. Real decisive change is positive. Flip-flopping all over the place and never making a commitment is not. As long as it's the former then it should be a good decision.

Perhaps it would be a good idea to enroll in the program you want and continue in your current program until the new one starts. Just to give you a bit more time to make your final decision.

[ar81]

If you do not design your future properly, you will get the result of your design. So design it carefully. Make sure that if you take a path you will go all the way with the good and the bad, and think long, very long term.

[Andrew Brunelle]

Do what you want to do. Forget what others think of you. Just live your life. As long as you are not hurting anyone physically, do what you feel is right. The more you learn to trust yourself, the stronger a person you'll be. Just be prepared for setbacks and deal with them appropriately.

[hazerfazer]

I've made the decision to withdraw. I've realized, and I think I've known for a while, that coming here for exercise science was the wrong choice. I don't want to ride out a wrong choice to prove I can stick with something that's wrong for me. That's a choice in and of itself. I need to break the cycle. I have not had any doubts that being here is not what I need. I appreciate the input from people here.

My dad is not supportive of this decision to say the least. That is the real only problem I have with this. But hopefully this can be a catalyst that makes our relationship better in the long run. I cannot stay so as to make him happy. I feel that by making this decision I am putting courage into action. Hopefully this decision leads to a better understanding and relationship with myself.

[Trustme]

I'd like to give you one advice. Never burn bridges in life if you can do otherwise. It's good to do what you think is best but sometimes it turns out that you made a mistake.