Ask HN: Nineteen Year Old Needing Advice

Hi, I’m a 19 year old from Western Europe looking for advice. I am currently studying CS in a T200 American University and I’m miserable. I came to America as I have a dream about starting a company here. I’ve started successful side projects in hs and currently make around $5k per year from them. I wanted to go straight into the industry after high school, but my parents advised me to go to college. However, I don’t like it here, and I’m asking for your advice on what I should do.

The issues I have with my situation

- My school is in a small town, and has a very small mentality. I have not met a single person who knows what they want to do with their life. I feel as if most of these people will end up working average 9-5 jobs. Even the “entrepreneur” clubs at the school do not have ambitious people.

- I have met insane people. I’ve had to cut out many “friends” as they tried taking advantage of me, didn’t respect me, or projected their insecurities onto me. Right now I have zero friends.

- The society is extremely unhealthy. Half the people here are on antidepressants or hung over every other day, and a fraction of the school eats healthy.

I’m a confident person who carries themselves well, but I hate interacting with people here. I feel like I can’t connect with anyone, and I get treated horrible by insecure men (I’m skinny and tall). I’ll be washing my hands men will treat me as if I killed their entire family. It’s even worse while I’m walking around or in the gym.

I am someone who likes to eat well and be active. I have not met someone like myself here.

Here is what I'm currently doing: - I Sleep 9h/day

- Cook 100% of my meals with plenty of vegetables and zero processed food

- Work out every other day

- Run every day

- Walk 20k steps/day

- Continue working on my side projects/maintain 4.0 gpa

I've also joined clubs, but have met immature and fake people.

I feel as if my spark and passion for programming is dying here. I haven't met anyone else who is ambitious, and I constantly have to go against the "traditional way" with everything I do.

I have thought about transferring universities. However, the courses which I’m taking don’t line up with the UC/Cal State transfer requirements. It’s also not in my best interest to go to a community college in California, due to cost and housing. I don’t think I can get accepted into Stanford either.

So, I am looking for your advice.

Should I drop out and pursue a job in sf? I have plenty of personal projects which make money and have users. I am also social, and have US citizenship. I feel as if I would be able to get a job with my current skills.

Should I go back home to Western Europe, take a gap year, and apply for colleges there?

Should I stay here? It’s insanely bad for my mental health, but I will get the degree.

Maybe something else? I have thought about applying for the theil fellowship or other programs for young adults but this isn’t something which I would consider viable.

I am interested in your advice. Thank you.

You are displaying signs of narcissism. Other guys don't care how tall and skinny you are and are not jealous of you.

You seem technically competent and will likely succeed in SF or elsewhere.

Getting hired right-now in tech is reportedly difficult for most university grads, so you, without a degree, will be competing against people with a degree, which is obviously a disadvantage.

Have you considered trying to start something that might help others to care about something you care about? This might take some patience but it could be worth a try.

It comes across as if you're the elbow kinda guy, but handing the scepter of society to people like this is much of the reason for the US's spiritual dilapidation. I unfortunately had to witness that these past two decades...

Thank you for the advice. Why do you say to stay away from SF until I've graduated? I am against antidepressants or any medication but going to try therapy, so thank you for the recommendation.

Yes, I've thought about starting an eastern european club at my school. Could you please elaborate on your second paragraph. I don't understand it.