As of now...

[Sothis*Crowfeather]

I think I've just realized as of now I am a college drop out.

I freaking hated the community college I lowered myself to going to this year, the teachers were horribly unqualified, confusing and discouraging. I after a while I gave up, I didn't try, I skipped a few classes, I hated to do it but I just couldn't suffer though that hell anymore. I don't have a job, my Dad has lost his job, therfore I don't have anyway to pay for anymore classes. I know I can get loans, but why? I wouldn't go back there anyway. I am not learning anything. I am not progressing any closer to what I want to be there. I am better than that hell hole.

I want to go to a real collage. I want to take art. I want to be a graphic designer. I want to direct music videos...I want to do something in art! I am not getting any closer to that sitting in a English class with some teacher talking about his car rather than Shakesphere. How will I ever get to take the art classes I so long to take when I can't even get past the basics? How will I progress? But I fear my horrible grade in that hell hole will never let me be accepted into a real college. I wish I could just start over and this time not go somewhere becuse the parents are cheap...there are grants, there are loans. I can get 'em.

I never ever thought that college would be like this...I though I would love every moment of it. I thought I would be in heaven...I thought I would be going somewhere. Becoming what I've dreamed of ever since first grade. I was an excellent high school student after all...

Instead I am a college drop out. I pray to the Goddess and Gods this is temporary. I've asked the divination if I really can become an artist, they've told me of course I can...but I don't see the path.

*turns on The Great Disapointment by AFI* :sniffsnif

[SoulHealer]

Hey I was a college drop out and at the time couldn't see my path.....now I know it was all for the best and my path has worked out better than I ever imagined

I know things will work out fine for you in the long run

[Kyan's Daddy]

I think I've just realized as of now I am a college drop out.

I freaking hated the community college I lowered myself to going to this year, the teachers were horribly unqualified, confusing and discouraging. I after a while I gave up, I didn't try, I skipped a few classes, I hated to do it but I just couldn't suffer though that hell anymore. I don't have a job, my Dad has lost his job, therfore I don't have anyway to pay for anymore classes. I know I can get loans, but why? I wouldn't go back there anyway. I am not learning anything. I am not progressing any closer to what I want to be there. I am better than that hell hole.

I want to go to a real collage. I want to take art. I want to be a graphic designer. I want to direct music videos...I want to do something in art! I am not getting any closer to that sitting in a English class with some teacher talking about his car rather than Shakesphere. How will I ever get to take the art classes I so long to take when I can't even get past the basics? How will I progress? But I fear my horrible grade in that hell hole will never let me be accepted into a real college. I wish I could just start over and this time not go somewhere becuse the parents are cheap...there are grants, there are loans. I can get 'em.

I never ever thought that college would be like this...I though I would love every moment of it. I thought I would be in heaven...I thought I would be going somewhere. Becoming what I've dreamed of ever since first grade. I was an excellent high school student after all...

Instead I am a college drop out. I pray to the Goddess and Gods this is temporary. I've asked the divination if I really can become an artist, they've told me of course I can...but I don't see the path.

*turns on The Great Disapointment by AFI* :sniffsnif

Don't take this the wrong way, but a lot of what you are saying are just a bunch of excuses.

Ever heard this before?

You only get out of it what you put into it.

Maybe the teachers are unqualified. Maybe the school is beneath you. However, the only thing that kept you from succeeding was you. I've had classes like yours, where I've wondered why I bothered to even get out of bed to go to it, and guess what? The problem wasn't the class, it was my attitude towards it.

As far as whether or not you are going to be an artist, here's the plain, simple truth: You can do anything. You can be anything. You can have anything. All you have to do is decide to do so. As someone who wants to be an artist, I'm kinda surprised you gave up so easily. Not every thing you do or create is going to be a masterpiece. Most of it will actually be crap. You know how many times DaVinci or Michelangelo had to repaint things? You know how many times Bach and Mozart had to rewrite a song because it wasn't quite right? It's called work ethic, and your work ethic is what gets you through those boring English classes. Work ethic is what gets you through Anthropology 101, which really has nothing to do with directing music videos or whatever.

Suck it up, stop whining, stop making excuses, and do the work you need to do to get where you want to go.

[ravenmyst]

I did it, dropped out as a teen, burnt out, not happy with the school, etc.... I dropped out. wasted a year or so just living, wont say how because its a road I dont recommend, Joined the Navy, got my GI bill, finished my degree at 31. So if it doesnt feel right, it isnt the end of it. A break is not an end.

[bshore]

Well, here's a bit of advice from someone who is currently an art student, and went to a crappy community college.

You think college is bad now, just wait till you get to art school. Do you like to sleep? Well, you can forget doing much of that! When projects are due, you'd better be getting them done, and that means staying up for days. How about eating? I've gone days without remembering to stop and eat because I was so into a project. Art school makes you tired, emanciated, and cynical (which it sounds like you might be already). So, since you're complaining about a bad community college (which I also slogged through) you can just forget art school since you obviously don't have the dedication for even a small meaningless commitment.

Am I sounding like a bitch? Well, this really upset me. I'm currently watching my brilliant younger sister drop out of the same crappy community college I got straight A's, and lots of scholarships, and fabulous life experience from, and she's way smarter than me. Kyan's Daddy is right: you're making excuses. You may not *like* the school, but that doesn't mean you can't learn from it. Learn patience, learn to converse with people who don't want to talk about scholarly subjects, learn how to teach yourself, learn discipline to stick with something evern if you don't like it. I've gotten more out of classes wheere the teacher was inept and we dedicated students had to teach outselves than I've gotten out of good teachers. Don't let their lack of academic excellence make you give up your dreams. A college education is the easiest way to get ahead in the world and you're giving it up because you aren't having any fun.

[Kyan's Daddy]

Well, here's a bit of advice from someone who is currently an art student, and went to a crappy community college.

You think college is bad now, just wait till you get to art school. Do you like to sleep? Well, you can forget doing much of that! When projects are due, you'd better be getting them done, and that means staying up for days. How about eating? I've gone days without remembering to stop and eat because I was so into a project. Art school makes you tired, emanciated, and cynical (which it sounds like you might be already). So, since you're complaining about a bad community college (which I also slogged through) you can just forget art school since you obviously don't have the dedication for even a small meaningless commitment.

Am I sounding like a bitch? Well, this really upset me. I'm currently watching my brilliant younger sister drop out of the same crappy community college I got straight A's, and lots of scholarships, and fabulous life experience from, and she's way smarter than me. Kyan's Daddy is right: you're making excuses. You may not *like* the school, but that doesn't mean you can't learn from it. Learn patience, learn to converse with people who don't want to talk about scholarly subjects, learn how to teach yourself, learn discipline to stick with something evern if you don't like it. I've gotten more out of classes wheere the teacher was inept and we dedicated students had to teach outselves than I've gotten out of good teachers. Don't let their lack of academic excellence make you give up your dreams. A college education is the easiest way to get ahead in the world and you're giving it up because you aren't having any fun.


Well said.

To quote the Stones:

You can't always get what you want.

[Sothis*Crowfeather]

OKay...I will say this , I do know I am making excuses, I do know I can do better than this, I know I have... I've accepted this from the start, thats why I've said I pray this is temporary. I don't know if I've missed something or said it wrong but I mean from now on my education is coming right out of my own money. Right now my family probley won't be able to keep gas in the car, much less send me to school. Before I can get back to school I need to find a decent full time job, and buy a car...I don't see doing all that in the time span of two months. I'll likley have to take a semester off. If I want to succed, I have to make it myself now. This could be a good thing, but I am not going to waste my money on a school I hate. I am not paying them to teach myself, I am paying them to teach me a skill or lesson, even if it's College Algerbra 101 that has nothing to do with art, if the consler says I have to take it, fine. But I shouldn't haveto teach myself the subject matter when that is the teachers job...I am supposed to be stressing and studying like mad over it. I wish to go to a university...I have two in mind that have wonderful reputions for there teachers, classes, and art programs, and have several other areas of study I could fall back on.

bshore don't worry I know better than to go to an all art school, I hear to many bad things about them.

[Kyan's Daddy]

And again, it's your mindset that is dragging you down. You are so negative, of course it's going to be a bad experience.

[BelovedDru]

Well, whatever you decide to do, I wish you a lot of luck.

[bshore]

bshore don't worry I know better than to go to an all art school, I hear to many bad things about them.

Actually, I'm going to a public school. Iowa State University. It doesn't matter where you go, art and design is one of the most time-intensive subjects you can study. I wish you well. My SO is just now going back to school after a 3 year break, and he's so glad he finally got arround to it. If you need a break, then take one, but don't fool yourself into thinking you don't need an education or that somewhere over the rainbow is the perfect university: you will have teachers and classes that seem worthless no matter where you are. Good luck.

[Sothis*Crowfeather]

well of course I am going to be negative! I was an almost straight A high school student, I understood everything I was being taught, even Geometry....and in less than I year I've shifted into everything that I dreaded school wise. You cannot honestly tell me that you or anybody can remain postive 120% of the time, especally when you've suffered a major disapointment in your life, right? I am looking at this as postivly as I can...I am going to take a break, get my life togther and try again. That better than just throwing down and taking a life long job as McDonalds.

[Sothis*Crowfeather]

Actually, I'm going to a public school. Iowa State University. It doesn't matter where you go, art and design is one of the most time-intensive subjects you can study. I wish you well. My SO is just now going back to school after a 3 year break, and he's so glad he finally got arround to it. If you need a break, then take one, but don't fool yourself into thinking you don't need an education or that somewhere over the rainbow is the perfect university: you will have teachers and classes that seem worthless no matter where you are. Good luck.

Well there have been plently of instances where I have made alot of self sacrifice formy art. I can push myself for something I love. I do know there is no such thing as the perfect school, but I'd rather find better.

[Kyan's Daddy]

well of course I am going to be negative! I was an almost straight A high school student, I understood everything I was being taught, even Geometry....

OK, you want to know what it's like to deal with disappointment at college?

I took Calculus 3 at UCLA. The entire time I just wanted to bang my head into my desk. It was so easy and the other students were struggling a bit... I kept thinking, "This is the University of California at Los Angeles! These people are supposed to be the brightest students anywhere! The teachers are supposed to be top notch!" Reality came crashing down. So, I just decided to learn what I was there to learn and NOT WORRY ABOUT THE OTHER STUFF.

Oh, I almost forgot. I was in 8TH GRADE when that happened. Imagine how it felt when I did go to college full time as a young adult. Do you have any idea how it feels to be smarter than all of your instructors? You talk about one or two classes... Imagine wondering what you're paying this college for every single time you set foot in the room, no matter what class it was for... However, I did my time, I did the work, I quit my bitching and I handled my business. Welcome to being an adult where there are LOTS of disappointments, LOTS of reality checks, and where you can't always do what you want when you want to do it. Am I telling you this to tell you I'm smarter than you, better than you? No. I'm telling you this because I've been there. I've done that. Yes, it's frustrating. But, that's life. College is NOT the same as high school. Let go of your memories of high school and welcome yourself to adulthood.

Everyone here who has been to college is going to tell you the same basic thing: Some classes you love, some you hate... Some teachers are awesome, some are there just to get a paycheck.

Consider your recent experience a life lesson. Learn from it and move on. To quote my one of my chiefs when I was in the Navy: "Quit whining and handle your business, shipmate."

[Tarotboy4]

I think I've just realized as of now I am a college drop out.

I freaking hated the community college I lowered myself to going to this year, the teachers were horribly unqualified, confusing and discouraging. I after a while I gave up, I didn't try, I skipped a few classes, I hated to do it but I just couldn't suffer though that hell anymore. I don't have a job, my Dad has lost his job, therfore I don't have anyway to pay for anymore classes. I know I can get loans, but why? I wouldn't go back there anyway. I am not learning anything. I am not progressing any closer to what I want to be there. I am better than that hell hole.

I want to go to a real collage. I want to take art. I want to be a graphic designer. I want to direct music videos...I want to do something in art! I am not getting any closer to that sitting in a English class with some teacher talking about his car rather than Shakesphere. How will I ever get to take the art classes I so long to take when I can't even get past the basics? How will I progress? But I fear my horrible grade in that hell hole will never let me be accepted into a real college. I wish I could just start over and this time not go somewhere becuse the parents are cheap...there are grants, there are loans. I can get 'em.

I never ever thought that college would be like this...I though I would love every moment of it. I thought I would be in heaven...I thought I would be going somewhere. Becoming what I've dreamed of ever since first grade. I was an excellent high school student after all...

Instead I am a college drop out. I pray to the Goddess and Gods this is temporary. I've asked the divination if I really can become an artist, they've told me of course I can...but I don't see the path.

*turns on The Great Disapointment by AFI* :sniffsnif

If I may offer some advice, It may be that the community college is not right for you. I to, attended classes at my local community college, and I to was unimpressed. It turns out that I just do very poorly in a regular college setting where it takes an enitire semester and you take like 2 or 4 classes. Now I have found a new school, university of phoenix. You only take one class a week and the classes are only five weeks long. for some reason I excel in that kind of program. So maybe you need to look for some schools that offer different programs than traditional colleges. If you need I can help you look.

[SphinYote]

Money problems can be difficult. Even when everything is otherwise fine they can make the future look bleak because you don't know how long you will be able to continue or if it is worthwhile. If you have bad teachers it makes it that much worse.

I will say I agree with everyone's point abaout how your education is what you make of it, regardless of the skill of the teaher. I've brown-nosed my way through more crappy classes, at least in gen ed (once I got into the upper level courses of my majors it was different and with one exception all went really well). In the end, if you have a bad teacher then read on your own, brow nose through the class, and get a good grade, what you learn yourself is the most worthwhile, and in terms of future college your grades are pretty important.

However, the financial difficulties drag everything down even when things are going well. I know the feeling of being in mid-semester and not knowing if I'll have enough money for the next, even when things are otherwise going well (gradewise, class enjoyment wise) you begin to doubt whether it's worthwhile, whether you should bother getting through the semester if you suspect you'll never be able to finish your degree, It eats at you, I know.

You want to go into art? Keep your best stuff for portfolios, I imagine you've researched and already know, but if you haven't, most universities require portfolios.

See if in the meantime you can get a job to at least make use of your skills. Graphic design? Hard to say who will take you if you don't have some background already, but look into it...if you've done graphic design work on your own, maybe include a sample with your resume, etc. or put it online and include a link on the resume or in your application letter. If you're serious about this and DO manage to get a job where you can capitalize on your skills, you'll get paid for it AND it'll look good on your college application when you finally do have the financial security to go back.

I'd also encourage you to save examples of your best writing, esp. research. If you got bad grades at the community college, showing samples of your best work might be a way to counter that.

Also, I don't know if it'll help, but one thing I've found to be really necessary, especially in the bad classes, is instead of getting tense and angry, laugh at people's absurdity (not in class of course, but to yourself). Look at the world as a big joke. Instead of letting it get you down, play it like a game. Know what the rules are, and try to feel that it's your own choice to play by their rules, feel like every day you go inspite of the absurdity you've got one over on the system because you're playing it and coming out ahead. At times I've had to stop, look at things when I'm getting seriously stressed, and just force myself to laugh at myself.

My name here reminds me of that, it's almost a theraputic name in a way.

Sphinx: life is a riddle, a mystery to be solved
Coyote: Life is also one big fat joke played on you, me and everyone else and sometimes we just have to change perspective and laugh at the f***ed up world we live in or it really does get too much to bear.

I hope that things work out better in the long run for you, thay you can get to where you feel financially comfortable enough again to go to school, and that you can find a place that you feel works. It's tough. Just do the best you can and learn what you can on the way. Don't let this be too much of a setback. If you truly want to go to college, I will agree with what everyone else has said about studio classes and say that they are more work than any lecture class I've ever had. But if you love it, then go for it, and don't be too afraid of the loans (although always look for the lowest interest loans you can find ;) ). And if you can, look for other scolarship or financial opportunities. Submit papers to contests and for financial awards. I got a $300 and a $200 check for papers submitted to different contests, one of which I got because I was the only one who bothered to apply. Don't miss those opportunities, even if $200 only seems like a drop in the bucket, every little bit helps.

Best of luck to you.

And play the game. Don't get stuck because then the joke really will be on you. :)

SphinYote