After High School...

[gump47371]

I would check around, maybe try to get an internship somewhere this summer, see if you really like doing it every day, and not just when you want to. You may find out that you despise it, and want to go elsewhere for a career. If you had went to 2-4 years of college before you ever got hands on, would kinda suck, huh?

I disagree with the "go to college, take core courses, and figure out your major later" mentality. There are plenty of tech schools and business colleges that give you the opportunity to test out, or never require you to take, those classes.

Once again, would stress getting a few months of hands-on before or very early into college, before you pour money down the drain.

 

[agnitrate]

Originally posted by: idNut

Originally posted by: tontod
Apply to colleges that have a good program in the field of study you're interested in. Dont just randomly apply to colleges. So are you good with computers as in programming, etc. ? To get into a good CS program, you also need to do well in math.

I hate programming. I love computer animation like Maya and making art in programs like Photoshop 7. Programming is technical which I despise.

I'm not sure what major any kind of computer animation would fall under, maybe somebody else would know better. Don't worry about the extra-curriculars, I didn't do jack squat in high school. I hated the whole 'club' thing in high school and you know what? Unless you were really teetering on some school, it doesn't help you out terribly in the long run. Don't do extra-curriculars because you think it will help you get into college. Do something only if you think it will be fun. Anyways...

If you want to do anything related to computers, most big schools will at least make you take all of Calculus. My school does at least (Big 10) but I'm not sure how it would work for a smaller or private school. Pretty much any college you go to will make you take calculus or some form of higher math and at least 4 semesters of a laboratory science.

My advice is to try and learn as much as possible now and if you really want to go into college and pursue a degree, just try your best in these classes while you're there. It's hard enough to find a job in the IT industry WITH a B.S., let alone no degree.

If you don't feel college is for you, try to get your foot in the door somewhere and develop connections.

Good luck.

-silver

 

[idNut]

Originally posted by: agnitrate

Originally posted by: idNut

Originally posted by: tontod
Apply to colleges that have a good program in the field of study you're interested in. Dont just randomly apply to colleges. So are you good with computers as in programming, etc. ? To get into a good CS program, you also need to do well in math.

I hate programming. I love computer animation like Maya and making art in programs like Photoshop 7. Programming is technical which I despise.

I'm not sure what major any kind of computer animation would fall under, maybe somebody else would know better. Don't worry about the extra-curriculars, I didn't do jack squat in high school. I hated the whole 'club' thing in high school and you know what? Unless you were really teetering on some school, it doesn't help you out terribly in the long run. Don't do extra-curriculars because you think it will help you get into college. Do something only if you think it will be fun. Anyways...

If you want to do anything related to computers, most big schools will at least make you take all of Calculus. My school does at least (Big 10) but I'm not sure how it would work for a smaller or private school. Pretty much any college you go to will make you take calculus or some form of higher math and at least 4 semesters of a laboratory science.

My advice is to try and learn as much as possible now and if you really want to go into college and pursue a degree, just try your best in these classes while you're there. It's hard enough to find a job in the IT industry WITH a B.S., let alone no degree.

If you don't feel college is for you, try to get your foot in the door somewhere and develop connections.

Good luck.

-silver

Nice advice, thanks.

 

[PrinceofWands]

I don't understand what everybodies damage about colleges and grades and stuff is...I can understand if you DEMAND a socially elite school, but otherwise it's cake. I was in high school for 5 years. I left with only a couple credits and a .024 gpa. I went to community college (3 of them actually) and got a high school diploma and about 80 college level credits. I currently have only a 2.8gpa. I have checked out and been accepted at ODU (Old Dominion University, while I was in Navy), Evergreen (ok, not an accomplishment usually...but I've never done a drug so that makes it weird), Western Washington, Washington State, and Portland State. That's not including all the community colleges (who'll take anyone who pays). Granted, I have military experience (maybe that covers extracurriculars, who knows) and scored 1410 SAT's, so maybe that's what it takes. I dunno, but I don't see what's hard about getting into colleges.

And before you ask, no I don't know which one I'll actually go to (other than ruling out Western since it's too far away) but it won't be for a couple years yet so I'm not worried about it.

 

[idNut]

Originally posted by: PrinceofWands
I don't understand what everybodies damage about colleges and grades and stuff is...I can understand if you DEMAND a socially elite school, but otherwise it's cake. I was in high school for 5 years. I left with only a couple credits and a .024 gpa. I went to community college (3 of them actually) and got a high school diploma and about 80 college level credits. I currently have only a 2.8gpa. I have checked out and been accepted at ODU (Old Dominion University, while I was in Navy), Evergreen (ok, not an accomplishment usually...but I've never done a drug so that makes it weird), Western Washington, Washington State, and Portland State. That's not including all the community colleges (who'll take anyone who pays). Granted, I have military experience (maybe that covers extracurriculars, who knows) and scored 1410 SAT's, so maybe that's what it takes. I dunno, but I don't see what's hard about getting into colleges.

And before you ask, no I don't know which one I'll actually go to (other than ruling out Western since it's too far away) but it won't be for a couple years yet so I'm not worried about it.

Do you think the military is a decent idea for the future? I mean, might as well bust my ass in the military than just sit around and be a failure if nothing turns out the way I want.

 

[ed21x]

Apply to be an English major Perhaps something in journalism, or layout and graphic design. Those are beautifully, non-mechanical jobs that stretches your imagination and creativity.

 

[jemcam]

Although I graduated in 1981, I was in pretty much the same boat as you. I never really tried at school, and made C's with the occasional B's, taking just the basic courses. I got into a college, and my poor study habits showed. I again made solid C's, and was satisfied with them.

Fast forward 5 years after college, I couldn't find a decent job, so I decided on the Army, and it made a huge difference in my life. I found that I was truly smart enough to do anything I wanted to do, I just didn't have the motivation. After a 17 year stint in the Army, I am now working for a very large corporation and making a comfortable living.

Bottom line to my whole post is that grades and education, while very important, have little bearing on how well you'll succeed in life. It's hard work and experience that will really get you to where you want to be!

Some of my fellow graduates that graduated with honors and went on to get their Masters or even Doctorate degrees have lame-o jobs like librarians, teachers, etc. They're hating their jobs and get paid half of what those of us that didn't take all the honors classes in high school.

Sometimes I do wish that I had gotten more education, but it would simply be for self satsifaction, because it certainly wouldn't help me make more money.

 

[PrinceofWands]

Do you think the military is a decent idea for the future? I mean, might as well bust my ass in the military than just sit around and be a failure if nothing turns out the way I want.

Tough call, and one only you are qualified to make. The military is NOT a career, it's a life choice. You have to join with your eyes open, and for the right reasons, or it'll be the biggest mistake of your life. Right now I think the military is a mistake for anyone who believes in our Constitution and it's intentions. The near future can hold only dissent and disharmony for this nation, and the military will likely be caught in the middle of a very bad situation.

It does provide good benefits and a cooling off period during which more soul searching can self actualization can be completed, if you need those things. But again, you have to decide that.

Also, being in the military doesn't prevent you from failing, in fact, it may even increase the chances if you're ill suited to that endeavor.

 

[jemcam]

Originally posted by: PrinceofWands

Do you think the military is a decent idea for the future? I mean, might as well bust my ass in the military than just sit around and be a failure if nothing turns out the way I want.

Tough call, and one only you are qualified to make. The military is NOT a career, it's a life choice. You have to join with your eyes open, and for the right reasons, or it'll be the biggest mistake of your life. Right now I think the military is a mistake for anyone who believes in our Constitution and it's intentions. The near future can hold only dissent and disharmony for this nation, and the military will likely be caught in the middle of a very bad situation.

It does provide good benefits and a cooling off period during which more soul searching can self actualization can be completed, if you need those things. But again, you have to decide that.

Also, being in the military doesn't prevent you from failing, in fact, it may even increase the chances if you're ill suited to that endeavor.

Okay. Why not talk to someone who's been there? The military is most certainly a career, and a damn good one if you work at it. You'll get out of it what you put into it, just like anything else you ever do in your life. "The near future can hold only dissent and disharmony for this nation, and the military will likely be caught in the middle of a very bad situation? wtf does that mean?

 

[agnitrate]

Originally posted by: jemcam
Although I graduated in 1981, I was in pretty much the same boat as you. I never really tried at school, and made C's with the occasional B's, taking just the basic courses. I got into a college, and my poor study habits showed. I again made solid C's, and was satisfied with them.

Fast forward 5 years after college, I couldn't find a decent job, so I decided on the Army, and it made a huge difference in my life. I found that I was truly smart enough to do anything I wanted to do, I just didn't have the motivation. After a 17 year stint in the Army, I am now working for a very large corporation and making a comfortable living.

Bottom line to my whole post is that grades and education, while very important, have little bearing on how well you'll succeed in life. It's hard work and experience that will really get you to where you want to be!

Some of my fellow graduates that graduated with honors and went on to get their Masters or even Doctorate degrees have lame-o jobs like librarians, teachers, etc. They're hating their jobs and get paid half of what those of us that didn't take all the honors classes in high school.

Sometimes I do wish that I had gotten more education, but it would simply be for self satsifaction, because it certainly wouldn't help me make more money.

Agreed. School isn't everything, but in many cases it shows how mature a person is in their life.

If they are prepared to do their work and study a lot to get into school, good for them. They can probably get into college. Many other people just aren't ready to go to college yet, not because they're not intellectually ready, but emotionally they just haven't found the motivation or inspiration to spend 4 years at school.

ANYBODY who can stay in the army for anything past boot camp has some serious motivation imho and this proves they have what it takes to pretty much take on anything they want to. If you don't feel motivated to do something, you probably won't do it or won't do well if you do try.

Don't force yourself to do something just because it's 'expected'.

-silver

 

[zCypher]

Take some business courses. Someone already suggested business in this thread, and I thought it was a good idea.

If you have a good understanding of business and economics you may be able to use your current knowledge/skills/talents in combination with networking/connections/knowing people to become successful...

Whatever you do, keep us posted, it should be interesting. IMO, school is over-rated. It can be a good tool, but it's not the only way of life.

 

[idNut]

Originally posted by: zCypher
Take some business courses. Someone already suggested business in this thread, and I thought it was a good idea.

If you have a good understanding of business and economics you may be able to use your current knowledge/skills/talents in combination with networking/connections/knowing people to become successful...

Whatever you do, keep us posted, it should be interesting. IMO, school is over-rated. It can be a good tool, but it's not the only way of life.

Lot of good advice here. My brother takes marketing and business courses at my local college but he hates it so I end up doing all his homework. I'm the reason he's passing. I like business in a way, not so much the economics.

 

[idNut]

And I am going to bed. I'll check this post when I get home tomorrow from a hellish day at school. Thanks for posting.

 

[jemcam]

Originally posted by: agnitrate

Originally posted by: jemcam
Although I graduated in 1981, I was in pretty much the same boat as you. I never really tried at school, and made C's with the occasional B's, taking just the basic courses. I got into a college, and my poor study habits showed. I again made solid C's, and was satisfied with them.

Fast forward 5 years after college, I couldn't find a decent job, so I decided on the Army, and it made a huge difference in my life. I found that I was truly smart enough to do anything I wanted to do, I just didn't have the motivation. After a 17 year stint in the Army, I am now working for a very large corporation and making a comfortable living.

Bottom line to my whole post is that grades and education, while very important, have little bearing on how well you'll succeed in life. It's hard work and experience that will really get you to where you want to be!

Some of my fellow graduates that graduated with honors and went on to get their Masters or even Doctorate degrees have lame-o jobs like librarians, teachers, etc. They're hating their jobs and get paid half of what those of us that didn't take all the honors classes in high school.

Sometimes I do wish that I had gotten more education, but it would simply be for self satsifaction, because it certainly wouldn't help me make more money.

Agreed. School isn't everything, but in many cases it shows how mature a person is in their life.

If they are prepared to do their work and study a lot to get into school, good for them. They can probably get into college. Many other people just aren't ready to go to college yet, not because they're not intellectually ready, but emotionally they just haven't found the motivation or inspiration to spend 4 years at school.

ANYBODY who can stay in the army for anything past boot camp has some serious motivation imho and this proves they have what it takes to pretty much take on anything they want to. If you don't feel motivated to do something, you probably won't do it or won't do well if you do try.

Don't force yourself to do something just because it's 'expected'.

-silver

I agree with you 100% BUT, in boot camp, you have several drill sergreants to motivate you. In college, there's no one there to get you ass up out of bed, or to make you go to class, or to study. In my case, I had the brains and the inner strength, I just didn't know how to find it. The Army taught me to dig down deep and find it, even when I thought there was no way I had it, or could do a certain task at hand, like after being awake for three or four days and having to run a couple of miles for instance.

 

[Sid59]

i would love to guide misdirected teens in high school. Only a few more years and i can demolish, er help, kids.

 

[PsychoAndy]

Originally posted by: Sid59
i would love to guide misdirected teens in high school. Only a few more years and i can demolish, er help, kids.

If by "demolish" you mean "teach them young bastards how to pick up chicks and get thru school with minimal work," sign me up.

 

[yoda291]

If math and science scores are dragging you down, try applying directly to the school you want to go to, not the university. For instance, if I wanted to be a painter, I'd apply to TSOA, not NYU. The requirements for the school are much lighter on subjects not heavily used, but are heavier on things which you aren't doing too well in. It might help. It all depends on what you want to do. I can tell you my personal experience is that anything I learned for my CS degree, I could have learned in an eighth of the time reading books and whatnot and it's more about who you meet than what you learn.

 

[Sid59]

Originally posted by: PsychoAndy

Originally posted by: Sid59
i would love to guide misdirected teens in high school. Only a few more years and i can demolish, er help, kids.

If by "demolish" you mean "teach them young bastards how to pick up chicks and get thru school with minimal work," sign me up.

indeed ... ill hide in the bushes like Roxanne

 

[chibchakan]

Originally posted by: ScottyB

Don't leave high school, life sucks after high school.

So true.

 

[PrinceofWands]

Okay. Why not talk to someone who's been there? The military is most certainly a career, and a damn good one if you work at it. You'll get out of it what you put into it, just like anything else you ever do in your life. "The near future can hold only dissent and disharmony for this nation, and the military will likely be caught in the middle of a very bad situation? wtf does that mean?

Actually I have been there. Served during the end of the Gulf I and received honorable. I say it isn't a career because it isn't the same as other jobs. You surrender much personal right and freedom when you take the oath. It doesn't pay the same way. You don't work the same kind of hours. It is 'different' than a normal job. More importantly, the military carries a very important moral overtone which each person should address before embarking on that particular adventure. Unlike working fast food, day to day life or death decisions become very real in the military and it takes some real soul searching to prepare for those times.

My comment on the future relates mostly to the growing tensions, not merely with regard to terrorists and Iraq, but with the international community. These things will drive a larger rift between us and other nations, and more importantly within our own people. The increased erosion of private rights is contributing to homeland tensions and may someday grow to a very tense edge. Already the National Guard have been acting outside their official charter and increased unrest could bring increased military participation within our borders. That is what I was referring to.

in boot camp, you have several drill sergreants to motivate you. In college, there's no one there to get you ass up out of bed

This is a matter of personality. Some people are motivated by others, while some are self-motivated. I was not moved whatsoever while in the military, having already spent coutnless hours of introspection. I loved boot camp, but because I went in complete in and of myself I could enjoy it as a personal challenge and as almost an outsider watching others succumb to enforced structure and discipline. I guess what I'm saying is there are infinite methods of self-discovery and self-motivation...just because the military was right for you doesn't mean it would be right for anyone else. It's up to each individual to know themselves and decide upon their correct path in life.

Peace.

 

[majewski9]

Heres what you do! Enroll your self into a community college. They have to take you if you graduate or get GED. Then do really good there im talking a C+ if not B- minimum. Then transfer to a four year university. Simple as that! I recommend something like computer science or IT. If you dont like Math dont go for Computer Engineering. I computer Engineer and I dont really like math but luckily I got through it barely.

 

[TallBill]

apply to public state schools, community college, or the military.

theres nothin wrong with community college. its not at all like a full time university, but you will get a lot of cheap credits, and a chance to transfer into a big college with high marks.

 

[ROTC1983]

Originally posted by: tcsenter

i like collages

Me too. They're purdy.

 

[Siddhartha]

Go to college and study what interests you. Give thought about how to use what you are going to study to get a job. If your grades are an issue, go to a junior college for a year, get good grades, and then apply to the university you want to attend.

 

[Barnaby W. Füi]

Unix is art.

It's a good read.