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Author Topic: Dropping out of school?  (Read 6397 times)

Rooster

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Dropping out of school?
« on: November 17, 2010, 03:01:33 am »

Before anyone starts shouting "DON'T DO IT" in all caps, let me explain myself.
I can't do it. I just can't. I have serious problems learning. I don't have problems showing up and learning at school, but I can't bring myself to do anything at home. To me it's just unfair to work 6 hours a day, and then another 6 because of some system. As a sidenote the system isn't flawless.
Funny thing is , that even with my procrastination, the motivation of money and someone pushing me for a deadline is enough to make me do manual labor. Funny huh? There's a dude there that appreciates manual labor, but just plain can't learn at home. I'm not going anywhere near college. At least right now. I mean, who needs that Sh*t? Most people go to college, but if only 20% went to college, the world would be way better off. At least the education would mean you are a very good man to employ. What I would want to do in life, you can't even get an education in. Here's why: I would like to be a sculptor-artist, my brother is a commercial digital artist. My bro didn't even finish college. Only the first year, and on marketing on top of that, and despite all that he has a great job. (Well paid that is). My anti-global attitude doesn't help. I'm fairly certain that to be employed, I have to employ myself. What do you think. Should I drop out, or I'll just make a mistake and make my life miserable.

tl;dr School isn't working out for me. Do I have a chance to self-employ and learn as a sculptor, or I'm fuc*ed?
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ChairmanPoo

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Re: Dropping out of school?
« Reply #1 on: November 17, 2010, 03:04:30 am »

How old are you?
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Derekristow

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Re: Dropping out of school?
« Reply #2 on: November 17, 2010, 03:08:47 am »

I have the exact same problem, but I was able to find a specialty school (DigiPen) that teaches what I actually want to do.  Somewhere out there there is probably a specialty school for sculpting that you would love to learn at, but you have to get through the grunt work first.  Luckily DigiPen offers a 11-12 thing, so I am able to get a taste of what the college is like before actually getting there.  See if you can find a program like that near you, so you can be motivated to push through what's left.

If you do happen to be near Seattle, DigiPen offers courses in Claymation that you may find interesting.
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Grakelin

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Re: Dropping out of school?
« Reply #3 on: November 17, 2010, 03:11:17 am »

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I am have extensive knowledge of philosophy and a strong morality
Okay, so, today this girl I know-Lauren, just took a sudden dis-interest in talking to me. Is she just on her period or something?

ein

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Re: Dropping out of school?
« Reply #4 on: November 17, 2010, 03:13:32 am »



This.
Even if you're not learning in school, stick with it.
Every free ride counts, and high school is pretty much the last one, unless you manage to pull a full scholarship out of your ass.

Enzo

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Re: Dropping out of school?
« Reply #5 on: November 17, 2010, 03:40:25 am »

I'm not going to say school is for everybody and you're doomed if you drop out, some people aren't cut out for it. My dad never finished highschool, eventually took an artisan apprenticeship. He made enough to comfortably raise a family, and once we were out of his hair, dude bought a BMW. That said, the vast majority of people who drop out of highschool don't fare anywhere near as well. If you end up not being able to make a living of the artist thing, and honestly most artists can't, it would be really nice to have something to fall back on besides bagging groceries. I'd be willing to back you up here if you displayed a well thought out, mature view of the situation but...

Most people go to college, but if only 20% went to college, the world would be way better off.

Stuff like this makes me think you might not be exercising a mature outlook on the situation. You don't like school so education = bad? I can't really get behind that one.
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Rooster

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Re: Dropping out of school?
« Reply #6 on: November 17, 2010, 03:47:47 am »

It's a polish thing. Back when the country was socialist under USSR education was a big deal.
You got education = you're the man.
Nowadays some people laugh at that you have to have good education to operate a shovel.
If there's less of something it's more worth.
That's why nowadays people with even good education can't find a job. There's too many competitors.
That's what it's all about

EDIT: You people know what? Let me make another question. What are the chances to be self employed and keep afloat?
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forsaken1111

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Re: Dropping out of school?
« Reply #7 on: November 17, 2010, 03:51:27 am »

My situation is hardly typical, but I dropped out at 16 years old and aced my GED, worked construction until I was 18, then went into the military for 4 years and came out with the education and training to get a very nice job.

Might be something to consider.
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Shades

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Re: Dropping out of school?
« Reply #8 on: November 17, 2010, 03:57:27 am »

EDIT: You people know what? Let me make another question. What are the chances to be self employed and keep afloat?

Statistically 1 in 10.

Edit: Based on stats of people that go as far as registering their business.
« Last Edit: November 17, 2010, 03:59:13 am by Shades »
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ein

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Re: Dropping out of school?
« Reply #9 on: November 17, 2010, 03:58:47 am »

Everyone I know who's self-employed took a long time to get that way.
At first, even if you're self-employed, or freelance, you'll probably still need a side-job to pay the bills.

Grakelin

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Re: Dropping out of school?
« Reply #10 on: November 17, 2010, 04:02:26 am »

Kinseti's dad grew up in a time where it was easier to get by without a diploma. School was not considered important at all until the 50s and 60s, and there were plenty of openings available for jobs which did not require a diploma or degree for a long while after that, especially in industries such as the automotive industry.

Nowadays, a university degree is the equivalent of a high school diploma, and you need at least that to get anywhere in a professional career. It's possible to live. About 33% of Canadians do not graduate high school, according to a StatsCan statistic I saw in class a couple weeks ago. However, you will almost certainly be part of the lowest social class and will not be able to afford the standard of living I imagine you're used to since you have a computer and an internet and post on a forum about an independent video game.

I want to be an artist, too (in different forms than yours). But I'm getting an education anyways. Admittedly, I am majoring in Drama, so I still pursue an artform, but I'm also receiving an enriched experience on the world and developing critical thinking skills which will help in all aspects of my life. Also, it allows me to think in ways that differ from how I thought before arriving, and discover new things about the world. If only 20% of the world went to college (And surprise, I think less than 20% of the world gets that opportunity), the world would be a worse place. The ideal is that 100% gets to go.

My advice to you is to go to university, and enrol in an Arts program. Not because it's easier, but because Math, Engineering, and Science degrees don't actually teach critical thinking skills (even though everybody who has them think they do), and because money-degrees aren't actually really great for making oodles of money with (though, not all Math and Science degrees are thought of as money makers). The market is going to be flooded with engineers in the coming generation. There's already too many.

And you can take a course in sculpting. Or, at some universities, get a degree in Independent Studies in Sculpting.

University is better than High School in every way. Hating High School is a bad idea not to try a university.

Ninjas:

Rooster: Being from Poland might change things. Probably not, though, since you're still not in a country where corporations go to outsource their unskilled labour. You'll be more likely to find a job doing whatever with education than without, however. Your employer isn't going to look at your resume and go "Ha, what an idiot, getting an education. Okay, let's go with the high school drop out". As to your question: That all depends on the nature of the industry you're in and the economy in Poland. If you wanted to start your own sculpting business, you'd need to do all sorts of things, you'd want some working capital, and in North America you wouldn't be able to expect a personal profit for 5 years. In Canada (probably the US, too, not sure), you would be able to get loans because the government likes it when you form small businesses (right now). Maybe, if Poland is trying to bolster the economy a bit (as I imagine it must be), you could get a loan like that, too. You'd need a business plan, though, and good luck doing it on just sculpting.

If you just want to be a freelance sculptor, I would say you have a very miniscule chance. It is rare for artists (of any sort) to make a living doing just one thing. In theatre, for example, actors are often known to do stage management, tech, writing, directing, etc. to find work. You probably know more about sculpting than I do, though. Are you a skilled sculptor? Is there a particular demand for sculptures in Poland? Eastern Europeans dig statues, right? We don't have many here younger than 50 years.

Forsaken's Ninja: Yes, Forsaken raises a good point. The military is a great career opportunity. I know many people who have succeeded this way. However, your world-view seems to be against this. If you ever change your mind, give it a go.
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I am have extensive knowledge of philosophy and a strong morality
Okay, so, today this girl I know-Lauren, just took a sudden dis-interest in talking to me. Is she just on her period or something?

ChairmanPoo

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Re: Dropping out of school?
« Reply #11 on: November 17, 2010, 04:05:12 am »

Quote
Forsaken's Ninja: Yes, Forsaken raises a good point. The military is a great career opportunity.
not in Europe

Quote
My advice to you is to go to university, and enrol in an Arts program. Not because it's easier, but because Math, Engineering, and Science degrees don't actually teach critical thinking skills (even though everybody who has them think they do)
::)
Spoiler (click to show/hide)
« Last Edit: November 17, 2010, 04:07:22 am by ChairmanPoo »
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Grakelin

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Re: Dropping out of school?
« Reply #12 on: November 17, 2010, 04:11:39 am »

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I am have extensive knowledge of philosophy and a strong morality
Okay, so, today this girl I know-Lauren, just took a sudden dis-interest in talking to me. Is she just on her period or something?

Mindmaker

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Re: Dropping out of school?
« Reply #13 on: November 17, 2010, 04:13:13 am »

not in Europe

As far as I have heard, there are still military academies, which allow you to get a good education, after you have served a certain time.
Might not apply to every country in Europe though.
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ChairmanPoo

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Re: Dropping out of school?
« Reply #14 on: November 17, 2010, 04:18:15 am »

My point is that soldiers are not particularily well paid in Europe, and is not a particularily good trampoline onto other jobs, either. Sure, you could join some military academy and/or try to take tests to rise through the ranks, but this guy has already said that he finds school and formal education in general hard to bear
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Everyone sucks at everything. Until they don't. Not sucking is a product of time invested.
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