Is it bad not to go to college?

Question

I’ve taken a break from college and I’m honestly not wanting to go back. I stress out too much over my grades. I know this mainly had to do with me studying Medical Assisting, but I would get so stressed that I would start shaking like crazy, and my heart would beat out of chest all throughout the day during my normal activities. I’m not dumb, but I definitely have to work for my grades. I personally would love to find a receptionist job and somehow make a living without a degree. I get a lot of discouragement from people, but I just do not want to go. I can’t handle stress well. Is it bad to not go? Where do I go from working a fast food job to working a job that I can support myself? Does anyone have tips or opinions on this?

Xitomyth · Accepted Answer

A college degree is not a requirement to support yourself, but it does help immensely. Given your reaction to academic stress and your personality, I'm getting the "vibe" that you're just not an academic in the true sense. There is nothing wrong with that. It took me 10 years to earn mine due to health complications among other things. My father never went to college and he supported my 3 siblings when they needed it, and currently me due to my situation with my loans... If you're not committed to it or able to handle it, there is no sense in going into massive debt (like me 😭). You'll have to start small or at the bottom, and work your way up. It's doable, but it takes time and planning. Your best bet is to keep looking for something better that you're (mostly) qualified for, and as you get hired, go to workshops/seminars/classes for skills/certifications instead of a degree. Over time you'll expand your skills and be more marketable and desirable. I don't blame you, I've almost died several times during my gauntlet of education to become a mechanical engineer. Besides, academia is not academic anymore... Look into alternatives or get an internship in what interests you, you can also go part time to class and keep working and gradually get there if you want. That's how my sister became a nurse. College/Academia is not for everyone, to be honest, and it originally was intended for those who were academic or had the ability to handle what that kind of education demanded. When I started back in 2010, I originally went to my first college with about 1,000 people, and by the end of that first semester, about half had either transferred out or dropped out entirely due to the horrible conditions and strict requirements... I later had to transfer to place close to home due to my health and ended up having to start at the beginning again for the most part after four years of effort to begin with. You're better off saving your money and learning as you go. Message me for more info. Those who look down on you and treat you like an idiot are not worth knowing in the first place, however, please be aware that you lack formal training and therefore won't have much credibility on certain subjects that those of us that earned, and not bought, our degrees were trained in. For example, take doctors, they're taught anatomy and dosing, not biology or chemistry/biochemistry, they're not scientists contrary to popular belief. Nurses are better the job these days than actual doctors. Surgeons have to actually fix a problem with the body, but the regular everyday doctors are now obsolete and can't tell you anything you can't figure out for yourself.

DaveToo · Accepted Answer

I always encouraged my girls to go to college. The oldest had her heart set on becoming a small animal veterinarian. She insisted she had to go to Cornell for her formal education, and between the help from Dad, some serious campaigning for grants and loans she got her education. After that, she found out that she was half a credit short of getting into Cornell vet school. She took a different course of action and joined the Coast Guard. After 5 years, (she extended to be with her new husband until he finished his tour), they moved to Mass. and she got a job teaching science, math, and chemistry. For her masters, she wrote the high school course for meteorology for the Boston School districts, which was later adopted for the entire state of Mass. She now has her Ph. D. in education and is the Principal in a school in Mass.

On the other hand, my youngest tried SUNY Oswego for languages and decided she wasn't really up for that. She left college, went to work for a few places until she got a job doing data entry for Syracuse University. (She types 250 words a minute with no mistakes, all day long). Her typing skills surpass even mine. After ten years of working there, and after taking the required courses to graduate with a BA, she sold her car, her belongings, packed up her two cats, and moved to London, England where she attended Kingston University, graduating with a Master's in Art History. So what's she doing now? Data entry for a District Attorney in Penn. It pays the bills, and she'll probably be doing that until someone dies in one of the many museums. That the only way she can get into doing what she studied for.

It took me 10 years to get my first degree, so I know the downside of not having one. You are taken advantage of by employers, giving you low wages, not even enough to live on. I had to work 3 jobs to make ends meet, and until our first was born, my wife also worked. It's hard finding work that pays well enough to pay bills, eat and have a place to live. Although you may not be ready for the medical field, (I went through the courses to get my EMT certification when I was in the Coast Guard. As a rescue swimmer, it's required.) there are other avenues you could take to follow your dream. "You never win if you quit".

PeacefulRainDrop · Accepted Answer

I didn't finish college... my sister did and jobs won't hire her now she's in debt working a job you dont need college for.. we were both pushed to go but I wish I never went..

I think it makes your efforts worse.. honestly girl just apply to job worse thing they can say is no... study the company before the interview know the core beliefs.. know how to answer common interview questions like best and worst quality.. what your friends would say about you.. I got a couple different jobs from just applying that I had no experience in but I worded my experience in a way to make it sound more in their alley for example I worked at a grocery store my second job after fast food I wanted to work from home for a call center that was expanding.. they wanted previous call center experience.. I got the interview she told me since I worked at McDs and Sobeys so long they called my references they checked out.. I said yes I know I dont have call center experience but working from home in my pjs would be amazing! I also have answered phones at Sobeys and transfered them to the right department if no one picked up I have to page the floor for that department.. they asked me to give examples of happy and upset customers I dealt with.. the biggest thing showing interest and being yourself..

Ammi_goldie806 · Accepted Answer

Nope, there are so many actors, singers, rappers, etc. that NEVER been to collage because they never need it. people should only go to college if your career require it other than that no need to go it would be a waste of money and time, but a fun experience. Steve Harvey never went to collage and he is richer than a doctor!!! never let people force you to do things that you don't want to do. this is your life, you only have one start bottom went you hit stop that's it. YOUR CHOICES are final most of the time you can't take it back!!!

Leavesbound · Answer

That depends on the situation. Bill Gates dropped out of college to start Microsoft and doing so didn't hurt him. On the other hand the last president who didn't have a college degree was Truman who was president from 1945 to 1953.

Success does not depend on a college degree but rather on knowledge and drive. You will need both to succeed and most employers see a degree as proof of knowledge. That said there are a number of careers you can do without a full four year degree where you can earn a fairly decent amount of money. I believe an LPN can still be had with a two year degree. A CNA in a year if I'm not mistaken. A CNA can earn a decent pay without all the hard courses a nurse would have to take like chemistry, biology, anatomy and advanced math. An EMT can earn a decent pay again without more than 1 or 2 years of study. Several other medical jobs exist that don't require a degree. Then there are a ton of non medical jobs. If you like jewelry you can become a graduate gemologist and work in the jewelry industry. That takes maybe a year or a year and a half of study and it's mostly fun stuff without tons of hard math and only a little science and not much in the way of writing. Pay is pretty good too and you get to find out how to obtain tons of bling without spending much on it. Another job that pays pretty well but is more technical is a CNC programmer. Two years or less is all that is needed and CNC programmers entry level salary is usually well over $60k a year. There is much more math and some physics and other science involved but not as much writing as regular college courses.

BCRanger10 · Answer

No, it's not. If you ask me, college is overrated. In fact, I'd go so far as to say that it's borderline useless right now, unless you want to be a doctor, lawyer, teacher, or business professional; there may be others that I can't think of at the moment. Personally, I hear some degrees that I don't know how on Earth any school could make a four-year program out of it.

A big thing in the last few years that radically shifted my views on it was the college admissions scandal, when rich and famous people who, for one day's work, could send their kids to Harvard, decided that bribing colleges to let their kids in was a good idea. Then one of them, the daughter of Lori Laughlin, an Instagram model, made a video in which she straight up said she wasn't interested in going to classes. That's not a joke, that actually happened.
Really, our society would be much better off if more people went to trade schools, farming, served in the military, or did other jobs that aren't glamorous and that don't involve being social media influencers. Who's going to maintain our infrastructure or grow our food? Only about a quarter of the Army is combat arms, meaning there is a much wider ranger of skills that can be learned in the military beyond killing people. An 18-year-old high school graduate who enlists in the Army as an engineer is learning how to operate and maintain multi-million dollar equipment. Between that and the 22-year-old with a piece of paper that essentially says "this guy passed the tests", which one holds more value?

exitseven · Answer

It took me three tries before I graduated. I had to drop out twice because I ran out of money. I finally went back part time and the company I was working for paid my tuition. It was hard working full time and going to school at night and it seemed like it took forever but I finally finished.
Without a degree I worked a crappy sales job. The pay was lousy, I worked 6 days a week except in the summer. I had no sick time. I remember lots of times going to work when I was sick. A few years I had no vacation time. I looked around for a better job the whole time but everyone wanted a college graduate.
After I finished college I got a job in IT and I never looked back. A couple of years ago I became a college professor and teach Computer Science.
I know college is hard. It was hard for me as well. I will tell you that you really should go back and finish. If you don't you will always have those doubts about yourself that maybe you are not as smart as other people or some other weird thing. I don't know how much more you need to graduate but you will do yourself a big favor if you finish. Not just for peace of mind but also financially as well. I will bet a Medical Assistant makes more than a massage therapist and it is a better job as well.

RealMarek · Answer

You’ll get a lot of discouragement because there is so much propaganda about college these days. The government pushes college hard because the banks make huge money on student loans and spiraling tuition inflation. Don’t listen to the stuff about “average income” differences because they’re skewed by the very small number of college grads who make it big-time; tell people to show the difference in outcomes for median income. Then consider that a college degree takes four years (opportunity cost because you could have been working and saving already) and can result in a six-figure debt, while learning a skilled trade can have you working within a year or two with just four or five-figure debt. Then consider many college grads just end up doing clerical or even menial work anyway.

If you don’t know you are academically inclined and if you don’t have a solid reason about why college is necessary for you and how it would help you accomplish a specific goal, think twice. It’s not nearly as good a deal today as it used to be and the quality of instruction in many fields has gone downhill.

If you want really good work outside of college consider getting a skilled trade like electrician work, welding, etc., or a trade you enjoy and take some business classes on the side so you can start up a business in your trade if you want. Too many people go to college and not enough go into vocational trades.

Good luck!

Slartybartfast · Answer

I'm a perpetual student, I like going to classes and my tuition is free. I've never used my engineering degree as I was already a skilled programmer (taught myself when I was 10) I'm pushing 700 credit hours at this point.

Certain subjects would be hard to learn outside college and not having a degree is a barrier towards entry into many jobs.

I've seen highly skilled very intelligent people be replaced at work with much less skilled and knowledgeable graduates.

I may get an MBA as a joke so I can say "oh yeah , I got an MBA also" when my boss brings it up. He thinks his MBA is special, I know from experience that just one of my engineering classes took more effort than an entire year in the MBA program.

Somehow I got an art history degree without trying..

aWes0MeNeSs · Answer

Not at all. College isn't for everyone, and is not a requirement for success. I dropped out after my first semester and do not regret it.

I work a physical labor job that is not too glamorous and a lot of people don't enjoy, but it pays well and I don't mind it.

Finchie40 · Answer

I can’t really say it’s bad or good, , considering I never went to college and I am doing rather fine and happy as hell that I don’t have high student loans to pay off , considering I know a lot of people that went to college and still working dead beat jobs and can’t afford to pay it off , so to me college is a waste unless you have something set up for when you are done , I guess it just depends on what you are going for and what you really want to do for a career , I always been a worker so with my years of working has helped me land a great position as a Branch Manager , Me personally thinks learning a trade is the way to go, or become your own boss by making something and selling it , Again college isn’t bad but it can also be not good , just depends on what you really want to do with your life. Sadly it’s a tough world we live in but if you stick to achieving your goals it more than likely will work out

bowenw · Answer

There is no right or wrong choice regarding attending college. Going or not going does not make you a better or worse person. Having said that, I think it is very important to follow your dreams so you don't live with regret. If your dream is being a receptionist then do that. If you really want to be a professional massage therapist, I think you can find a way to overcome any challenges and make that happen. If not handling stress is holding you back, your doctor may be able to prescribe medication, recommend stress reduction techniques, or refer you to other professionals that can help you manage it.

Gray-Wisp · Answer

I was in a similar situation. I tried a traditional college and it was awful. The hours were awful as many classes didn't align, the way it was structured was awful because you had to go for a year before you'd be taking any classes related to your degree, you would be charged the full amount after only going for two weeks, and there was a ton of leftist propaganda.

I go to a trade school now and will likely make more what I'd have with that degree. It's better in most aspects. 10/10 would trade school again.

Wiredone · Answer

You have to do what is right for you. I went to automotive college right out of high school. That lasted 6 months. I dropped out. I did a bunch of different types of jobs after that. At 35 years old I went to an electrical training school. I worked for a few contractors until I had enough time. I studied and took the test to be a licensed electrician. I passed and opened my business 6 months after that. I've been in business for 10 years and I'm happy I did it. I wish I would have done it instead of automotive.
The thing is, you have to go with your gut feeling. What do you think is best for you. Maybe you can take one of those on line courses that you do at your own pace if it's right for you. Reach for the sky. It's all yours, you just have to go after what you want.

nawtee_me · Answer

I graduated high school and went right to work. Never we to college until I was 48. I did better in college than I did in high school. I even tutored English in college but barely passed English in high school. Go figure... I worked at the academic learning center as a tutor and even published a paper on how to write a five paragraph essay. The academic learning center put it out on their letterhead as a learning tool for 1st year students just out of high school. You would not believe how many kids can not write a properly formatted essay.
Anyway, I now have a degree in video game design that I will never use. I just went to college to show my kids that you can always go to college or go back to college if you want to. And so can you...

nandinikhaneja · Answer

If that makes you happy, then do it. Honestly, if you think you can survive off without a degree that honestly pretty okay! But, I hate it when people be like oh! She didn't go to college and they assume that person is dumb which is really stupid! You don't want to be in a pile of debt and regret your decision later on! It's better to research and then take a decision.

The_Maphio · Answer

If you don't go to college, you might as well learn yourself a trade.
By the time that your really-not-much-more-knowledgeable will have wasted about 5 years, you'll have gained a skill that will gain you money in spades, while you're still young. No debts, good bank account and potentially a family and a place to live without fuckers sharing the premise. Win-win.

Floppy2112 · Answer

These days college is less and less important. With modern communication you can become as educated as you want and you don't need a piece of paper from one of these indoctrination camps to prove you can add 2+2. And that's the problem, most colleges are ramming critical theory down student's throat. So unless you are passionate about something that requires college to achieve your goal. A trade school or just plain old hard work will deliver you a decent income.
It depends on your goals. Do you want to be independent, self sufficient and alone or would you rather get married and have a family and be a housewife, or at least not the primary breadwinner? It's not a crime to be a housewife, though it feels like it these days. So, it all the depends.
What do you want, say in the next 5 years, career and independence, or a future with a mate?

Andres77 · Answer

Do what you need to do for you.
It's foolish to go to college if you don't have a life and education and work plan that you're pursuing.
If you don't know what you want then why would you incur massive debt?
Work, save, think and plan.
When you meet a decision point then move on to the next step.
Only go if it supports your life plan.

Tim-loves-it · Answer

No its not bad at all. Most of us who do go to college end up not working in the field that they studied (like me), Because employers are looking for experience, but you can't get experience without a job, and you can't get a job without experience..

UNLESS YOU KNOW SOMEBODY

Which isn't fair in my opinion, especially if you're popular.

NEOTUNIA2U · Answer

No, you can explore other options like go into different field or first become an intern and see if that is what you like doing for a permanent job in the future.

Anonymous · Answer

Sounds to me like your problem is anxiety issues not school.
I went to school. I never finished my degree. And I'm on pace to retire with 7 figures at 58. I've also been very fortunate. I took a few gambles along the way that just happened to pay off.
Statistics state you'll generally always make more money with a higher degree over the course of your life. But you don't have to do that now. You could take a yr. Or two off. Get your head straight and then go back.

slatyb · Answer

If you don't want to continue, then it's not the right time for you. There are entry-level jobs that pay better than fast food. What would you like to do?

DJB72 · Answer

I went to varsity aged 30 and only under pressure from my wife. I didn't study what I wanted to, when I wanted to, and I regret that now.

Is it bad not to go to college?

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