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Kevin Rose regrets dropping out of school too early

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Re: Kevin Rose regrets dropping out of school too early

#11

Post by brianlash »

jameskpolk wrote: post #8
newacc101 wrote: post #3

I started skipping school at 13, and left permanently at 14. At first it was just black and white: I hated school, I didn't want to go, but it soon turned into severe anxiety (that's another story.) I'm 17 now. I wish I could say it's not affected me much, overall I think I'm pretty bright, so I don't fear I'm not going to be technically qualified for the career I want, however it's the paperwork I'm worried about; I…

I'm guessing that, by posting here, you are probably interested in a programming/tech career. While it's true that you can get hired without any formal education, the unfortunate truth of the matter is that you probably won't, especially in this economic environment. Get your GED and get into higher education. If a uni. won't take you immediately, take some classes at a local community college and look to transfer up…

There's a lot of truth here. I had to begin my schooling at a branch campus because I wasn't accepted at my first choice. But it lit a fire under my butt. I worked hard, took summer courses at a community college, and ultimately transferred up to my first choice (and finished a year early, no less).

Today I regret rushing (that's a different conversation) but my point is that it's fully possible to make a change late in the game. And if you're 17 it isn't late at all.

What I'm saying is don't stress so much. There are a surprising number of opportunities for those who are willing to take the transfer route to a degree. But you've got to do it one step at a time, so (if you're sure it's what you want) get your GED and go from there.

Re: Kevin Rose regrets dropping out of school too early

#13

Post by _pius »

newacc101 wrote: post #7
kiba wrote: post #6

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I am confused. Are you 30 or 17 years old? I am 18 years old and I would like to quit high school but that mean I'll be booted out of home with no job and no future. It would probably be fine if I just have a laptop, car, portable food and water storage(with self cleaning water filter?), and a steady source of income that let me eat. However, I have health issue, and I wouldn't survive long on the street without medi…

17. :)

Please get your GED (so you can avoid high school) and apply to a college of some kind.

You're still young enough that it'll be easy for you to have a great social life there once you get the medicine or therapy you need to overcome the anxiety.

Re: Kevin Rose regrets dropping out of school too early

#14

Post by antiismist »

jameskpolk wrote: post #8
newacc101 wrote: post #3

I started skipping school at 13, and left permanently at 14. At first it was just black and white: I hated school, I didn't want to go, but it soon turned into severe anxiety (that's another story.) I'm 17 now. I wish I could say it's not affected me much, overall I think I'm pretty bright, so I don't fear I'm not going to be technically qualified for the career I want, however it's the paperwork I'm worried about; I…

I'm guessing that, by posting here, you are probably interested in a programming/tech career. While it's true that you can get hired without any formal education, the unfortunate truth of the matter is that you probably won't, especially in this economic environment. Get your GED and get into higher education. If a uni. won't take you immediately, take some classes at a local community college and look to transfer up…

This is a sound plan if you want to go to college. I'd add to this that there are a lot of JCs that are feeder schools to some great universities, such as Berkeley.

I know two people who did the JC -> Berkeley route. One is still in school, and the other is in Investment Banking (either a big success or a miserable failure, depending on what you think of that career).

Re: Kevin Rose regrets dropping out of school too early

#15

Post by TJensen »

newacc101 wrote: post #9
brandnewlow wrote: post #5

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Suck it up. Go back to school. Suffer a little to save yourself a big headache.

I know, but easier said than done... By "severe anxiety" I mean I've distanced myself from everyone I used to know, and I never go out much anymore. And a few years ago I woke up to 2 shrinks and 5 cops in my room at 9am, which ended in me being taken off in hand-cuffs under a mental health order. Thankfully they concluded after a few days I wasn't in fact mentally ill, but at that point it struck home, and I started…

Having a teen-ager of my own who has severe anxiety when it comes to school (so much more than the typical "I hate school."), I can empathize with the "easier said than done." Honestly, I'd look at talking to a counselor and making a plan for moving forward. You are obviously bright enough that you can over come the challenges, but you don't have to do it on your own.

Good luck!

Re: Kevin Rose regrets dropping out of school too early

#16

Post by barry-cotter »

newacc101 wrote: post #9
brandnewlow wrote: post #5

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Suck it up. Go back to school. Suffer a little to save yourself a big headache.

I know, but easier said than done... By "severe anxiety" I mean I've distanced myself from everyone I used to know, and I never go out much anymore. And a few years ago I woke up to 2 shrinks and 5 cops in my room at 9am, which ended in me being taken off in hand-cuffs under a mental health order. Thankfully they concluded after a few days I wasn't in fact mentally ill, but at that point it struck home, and I started…

I'll join the chorus saying GED, community college, senior college. If you're a fellow Rightpodian, A-levels, then college. But... If it sucks drop out, if you don't want a post grad and you get a good job offer seriously consider taking it. As far as crippling social goes two things really help, hanging out with people like yourself who you can actually talk to, and serious alcohol abuse. I kid you not. The fastest periods of advancement in my social skills come down to alcohol. You make more mistakes, faster, which is the way to learn.

Re: Kevin Rose regrets dropping out of school too early

#17

Post by sanswork »

newacc101 wrote: post #3

I started skipping school at 13, and left permanently at 14. At first it was just black and white: I hated school, I didn't want to go, but it soon turned into severe anxiety (that's another story.) I'm 17 now. I wish I could say it's not affected me much, overall I think I'm pretty bright, so I don't fear I'm not going to be technically qualified for the career I want, however it's the paperwork I'm worried about; I…

I dropped out of school when I was 16 and went into the normal workforce at 18(for an IT consultancy) after a failed start up.

Dropping out worked for me but it wasn't easy instead of university I spent those years on the very bottom of the ladder making contacts and getting a network going so that I could move up without the degrees and stuff.

I have enough professional experience now that the lack of a degree isn't going to hurt me going forward but I do feel like I missed out of the college experience.

I'd say you can make it without a degree but you have to be pretty good at networking to get your name and face in front of people that can help you out. If you're not comfortable out there selling yourself making lots of contacts with people who might know someone who knows someone get the degree and let it do the selling for you.

Re: Kevin Rose regrets dropping out of school too early

#18

Post by maximumwage »

According to Professor Neal Roese's research, regrets related to education are the most common form of regret: http://psp.sagepub.com/cgi/content/abstract/31/9/1273

He also wrote a book about regret and counterfactual thinking titled "If Only": Delivering a reassuring, groundbreaking message, If Only describes two types of "counterfactuals," as these thoughts are known in psychology, and both "if only" thoughts can lead to a better understanding of yourself. One variety allows us to improve performance and learn from experience by comparing what we actually did to what might have been better. A second kind asks how things could have been worse, which makes you feel a whole lot better. Dr. Roese also reveals Americans' top regrets and shows you how to avoid them. And he shows how our brains erase regrets of actions (stuff you did that didn't work out) but let regrets of inaction linger. So his advice? Just do it.

Re: Kevin Rose regrets dropping out of school too early

#19

Post by jackchristopher »

newacc101 wrote: post #3

I started skipping school at 13, and left permanently at 14. At first it was just black and white: I hated school, I didn't want to go, but it soon turned into severe anxiety (that's another story.) I'm 17 now. I wish I could say it's not affected me much, overall I think I'm pretty bright, so I don't fear I'm not going to be technically qualified for the career I want, however it's the paperwork I'm worried about; I…

You're looking at a harder life. But that doesn't necessarily mean a bad one.

The path forces you to take responsibility earlier. You have to take the initiative in your life. You have to educate yourself. And your pretty much destined for entrepreneurship. But some in fields people will be more willing to hire you.

You have to prove yourself through informal means. Without those pieces of paper you limit your options. But that fine if you know what you want to do.

You're a pathbreaker and you'll have the same challenges that any pathbreaker would.

I have diploma (barely got it) but not college. I'm doing fine.

I could write an essay. In fact I will. But the situation you're in and the decision you will make certainly isn't all downside with no up. There are pros and cons to each side.

Re: Kevin Rose regrets dropping out of school too early

#20

Post by SteveC »

Somtimes I start to regret dropping out of education early, until I really think about it and realise that dropping out was the best thing I ever did. I have no student debt, a profitable start up, interesting work, and gave myself a better education than I would have received had I stayed in fulltime education. I was also very bored and unhappy with it by the time I left so I probably kept my sanity too. Yet I still sometimes find myself regreting it.
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