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krillbee · Jan 9, 2006, 11:21 PM

I'm contemplating taking a semester off of school just because I am so sick of it.
I know this might sound like I am really lazy but here's the deal: I am really sick of school, I wanted to quit a long time ago, but I've been pushing myself through it. It's my senior year, I could just finish my last semester this spring and graduate, but its going to be my hardest semester yet! And I honestly feel like I am out of gas.

I was thinking I could take the spring off (right now I'm taking J term) so come February I was thinking then I could look for a job, and go back and finish everything in the fall.

The thing is: Would any place hire me, if they knew I was going to quit within 6 months to go back to school? Working reduced hours would be tricky, because I have to take an internship for a class in my last semester, that requires 10 hours a week. So I guess I just want to find a job that will hire me for 6 months. Or maybe there is something else I could do for 6 months, I dont know.

SirCastor · Jan 9, 2006, 11:32 PM

I know this isn't what you want to hear, but I strongly recommend you finish out your school year and graduate. It's very hard to start school after stopping, especially when you've gotten a taste of life outside of school when you've been burnt out on it. Don't stop pushing yourself, just go one more semester. Then you'll have a degree, and you'll be set.

One of my Math Professors told me that in this state, having a degree equates to an additiona $1470 per hour you were in school that you'll make in your lifetime. So if you graduate, you can start in a higher paying job (it matters very little what your degree is in) that's more permanent and set yourself up for success.

If you give up now, you're just headed to waste 6 months. They won't be completly wasted of course, but compared to the alternative...

okay, that said, if you go looking for a job, don't tell them you're going to school in 6 months. You don't know what the future will bring. It's your plan, and keep it to yourself. Employers don't want to sink money into somone who won't have a solid return.
If you've got the cash, you could travel the world. Or at least travel whatever country you live in. Go on a road trip. Make a movie, Write a book, build one of those clipper ship models in a glass jug.

I recommend the school though.

d4nth3m4n · Jan 9, 2006, 11:47 PM

don't tell them your timeframe.

euchomai · Jan 9, 2006, 11:57 PM

Agreed, don't tell them when you are planning on leaving.

I'll also reiterate, try to stick to it one more semester! PLEASE, just do it, you'll be kicking yourself later in life!

krillbee · Jan 10, 2006, 01:42 AM

Originally Posted by euchomai

Agreed, don't tell them when you are planning on leaving.

I'll also reiterate, try to stick to it one more semester! PLEASE, just do it, you'll be kicking yourself later in life!

I'm really really really really really really burnt out!!!!

My procastination has been getting worse and worse, and ive had to endure many nights staying up all night working on stuff. Its a pain in the arse!! And I dont really have a life right now, because every time i think about going out, i feel guilty and feel like i shouldnt go out until my homework is done.

but then my homework doesnt get done til like 7am the next day.

Albert Pujols · Jan 10, 2006, 01:46 AM

Why not just get a co-op or an internship? If you're a senior there must be plenty of opportunities for an internship. Don't just defer a semester and work at Wal-Mart or something.

Railroader · Jan 10, 2006, 01:50 AM

Suck it up. Finish.

One semester in the whole scheme of life is trivial. In ten years you'll look back and think of how foolish it was to have quit with the goal so close at hand.

I know of very few people who quit and then return and finish up right away.

krillbee · Jan 10, 2006, 01:54 AM

Originally Posted by Albert Pujols

Why not just get a co-op or an internship? If you're a senior there must be plenty of opportunities for an internship. Don't just defer a semester and work at Wal-Mart or something.

we are required to do an internship for our last semester at school as it is.
10 hours/week. + classroom seminar discussion about it.

thats one reason why I am dreading the last semester. that internship class and my senior seminar, and managerial finance class all have to be taken. plus another course for elective credits.

And the class im taking right now over interim term is hard as hell too.

Artful Dodger · Jan 10, 2006, 03:15 AM

I've got news for you: you are not special. Many college students are drained by their senior year. Perhaps you wouldn't feel so burnt out if you changed your attitude, developed study skills, setup priorities, and learned to sleep during the night time. You really don't sound like you want to achieve. Instead, you are trying to runaway. I don't mean to be coarse, but I can't stand it when someone does not realize their potential.

krillbee · Jan 10, 2006, 08:08 AM

I've hated school all the way up til now. Like seriously, there is nothing redeeming about the college environment!
I dont know what im going to do in the future, i just went to school because getting a degree in something is the thing to do these days.

Dakar · Jan 10, 2006, 08:46 AM

Originally Posted by krillbee

I've hated school all the way up til now. Like seriously, there is nothing redeeming about the college environment!
I dont know what im going to do in the future, i just went to school because getting a degree in something is the thing to do these days.

That's exactly what happened to me. I ended up choking the final two semesters and dropping out.

Two weeks later I was working a job in the field I had been studying at a mediocre pay rate -- but man was it good to earn and do something constructive rather than pay to do pointless assignments.

I ended up blowing the opportunity 6 months down the road, but not before gaining lots of valuale expereince, both in the field and in life in general. I ended up struggling for 6 months unemployed before I finally took a job at one of the least respected slave-driving companies in the area.

After a year and a half there I finally decided it was time to go back to college. I returned, picked up a second major, finished out my degree and fell ass-backwards into another job in my field. Its almost two years later and I feel much better off for my time away from college.

wdlove · Jan 11, 2006, 03:16 PM

I wish you all the best. If you are not feeling your best it might be best to take the time off. Try to find a job that will add to your resume. Then return renewed and refreshed, chances are you will do a much better job.

krillbee · Jan 11, 2006, 09:19 PM

Ive thought of another idea.

I was thinking that perhaps I could take some of my classes now and some of them in the fall. If i went part time, then maybe it wouldnt seem so bad.

granted it will cost more money, and take longer, but at least i wont decide to backout before the semester begins, or quit partway, or go through some kind of breakdown or something like that.

dcmacdaddy · Jan 11, 2006, 09:22 PM

Originally Posted by krillbee

Ive thought of another idea.

I was thinking that perhaps I could take some of my classes now and some of them in the fall. If i went part time, then maybe it wouldnt seem so bad.

granted it will cost more money, and take longer, but at least i wont decide to backout before the semester begins, or quit partway, or go through some kind of breakdown or something like that.

Excellent idea!

Don't give up now that you are so close. Just ease up on your schedule a bit.
One extra semester is what, maybe six extra months, that's nothing in the arc
of your whole life but will seems like everything to your mental well-being.

Good for you!!!

production_coordinator · Jan 11, 2006, 10:12 PM

Don't rush out of college... BUT FINISH.

As long as you KNOW you will go back, I wouldn't think twice about taking a semester off. Get a job and feel what the real world is like... or just hang out... do some things you simply want to do.

Atomic Rooster · Jan 11, 2006, 10:15 PM

Find a girlfriend!

KeriVit · Jan 11, 2006, 10:54 PM

the 2nd idea is a little more encouraging.... Trust me, the real world ain't that much easier, we get sick of school, sick of jobs, sick of locale.... just finish any way you can. But don't stop now- you're so damn close.

krillbee · Jan 13, 2006, 01:27 AM

Originally Posted by Atomic Rooster

Find a girlfriend!

i honestly think this idea would probably make school go by a lot faster and easier!!

too bad it most likely wont be happening until after college

(studies keep me way too busy to have time to interact with women!)