NeelsGap86

So I am thinking about dropping out of college to commit to cycling full time with a minimum wage job (I don't have a job...yet). This is the last semester that my parents are supporting me in school and I am pretty burnt out with school. Heck, I already know I am going to flunk this semester because of the classes on my plate and I am demotivated (is that even a word? lol) at this point.

What do you guys think? I mean, college will ALWAYS be there (but the cost won't...crap). Plus cyclists careers are short lived but they lived the dream, know what I'm sayin?

Anyway, sorry for the rant. I'm just frustrated and clueless at this point in my life.

Thanks

And I know I will get some witty remarks

10 Wheels

Higher education is not for everyone.

What do you mean by cycling full time?

NeelsGap86

Cycling full time as in this: I wake up, go to work (minimum wage job or whatever have you), and ride as much as time allows.

Actually, I still don't know what to do. I'm just venting here (I apologize if it is the wrong place for that).

I was a very serious cyclist for a couple of years until about a half a year ago. I got a deep burn on my lower leg due to an accident and was out for months. After that, things went down hill from there. Cycling was my joy and pride. I just want it back but with school starting to no longer become an option due to financial reasons, I want to give cycling a shot again. Even if I don't have the physical gifts to make it, I am at least doing something beneficial to my life. It may seem a waste to some people while others will say 'hey at least you tried to go after your dream....very few people do that these days'.

So, yeah.

saratoga

Where are you at in terms of college (undergrad I would assume[?]- # of hrs)?
It can suck the big one at times, but if you need something like 30 hrs or less to graduate, my decision would swing towards finishing school IMO.

You may not ever use it which is fine, but at least you'll have it.

jmechy

Transfer to a school with a good collegiate team.
Unless you are winning races as a Cat 1, dropping out to pursue cycling full time probably isn't the best decision.

Yaniel

i'm with him, and you can always get loans.

Quel

So what you are saying is that you want to quit college to pursue a career in something you have no chance of making any money off of? Hard to afford bike crap on minimum wage with no sponsorships.

TMonk

Money is more important than cycling. Hate to say it but its true.

Having said I suggest that you finish your degree so that you can afford your cycling habit.

That's my plan anyway. There are also other things that I would like to be able to afford, not the least of which is a family and a comfortable existence.

Doohickie

Don't be an idiot. Stay in school. What benefit will you get out of cycling "full time" that you can't get out of cycling part time? Unless you have a reasonable expectation of cycling making money for you (which it sounds like you don't), there is no benefit you will get from cycling less and going to school more. [Old Man Talk Coming] Follow your dream? This generation is already too self-indulgent. Make something of yourself, then follow your dream.

NeelsGap86

I never even made it to Cat 3 lol. I was at that level for awhile though with my cycling team I had for awhile. Most, if not all, are cat 2's now. Damn them lol.

But even if its not trying to be pro, what if I just want to do cycling for the pure love of it (I sound an idiot right now lol)? I can see some dude going "oh hey look, there goes the guy that rides every day and he's not on a pro cycling team....what a loser".

And to Saratoga, I changed my major for the fourth time last semester. I'm 23 and I'm still an undergrad. Been in school for over five years. I got screwed over my first one and half years of college when I transfered from New York back to Georgia (I'm from Georgia - born and raised). Basically, most of my credits didn't count at my new school so I had to start from scratch again.

As far as I am concerned, I can do college but just not the major I am in. Maybe I am not smart enough for it (it's computer information systems...basically IT). I used to be a Physical Education major (no offense but that major is a joke at my school, in terms of studying) and had only a year and half or so left to graduate with a PE degree. However, as far as I am concerned (my mom is a PE teacher to add too) getting a job as a PE teacher will be next to impossible due to looking at stastics and from personal feedback. PE teachers are like leeches...most, if not all, stay at the same teaching job till they retired. This means finding a job hard. CIS kids get a job like its given to 'em (not literally of course...).

Anyway, sorry for the little life story there. Just trying to fill in as much as I can so I can get some feedback, help, or whatever...

awesomejack

how much school do you have left? what kind of hours are you willing to work? you could always work, cycle, and take a few courses at community college. Maybe once you have enough of your own money saved you could go to a decent university.

Yaniel

i'm 27 and a sophomore. i decided to forgo college and try the work force, surfing, drag racing, etc and while it was fun, i wish i would've finished school when i first started instead of going back almost 10 years later. instead of sitting here thinking "i can buy that bike when i graduate" i could be deciding which of my multiple high end bikes i'd rather ride today. don't be me.

regardless, even with full time school, i still have more than enough time to ride 5 hours a day if i wanted.

celerystalksme

Finish the degree! If you're burnt out, take a semester off...and then maybe take one, two classes. But don't just drop out of college. The job market is tough...a bachelors now is nothing, just the price of entry for most middle class jobs. But at least you can complete for one of those middle class jobs! And that's something! Listen, I ain't buyin all my bikes without my job...I don't get to buy those expensive cycling clothes without my job...I don't get to go on a week long vacation at the end of February to Florida for a bit of cycling, beaches, and other fun without my job.

Cycling is expensive. Get that degree...get that decent paying job...and let cycling remain a hobby that you do on the weekends and on some weekdays...

NeelsGap86

How do you pay for it? I have no idea how to even get loans at my school. Tuition at my school is cheap, so is living residence (I was once offered to stay at a apartment for 150 a month..hella cheap).

NeelsGap86

Very.

BTW, I have about 2 years if I go with my CIS major. I'm just so demotivated right now that I don't care about school. I once even considered selling my bike just to have money for the sake of it.

celerystalksme

Doesn't your school have financial aid advisors? Have you ever filled out FAFSA form? Have you every applied for scholarships? Drop by your schools financial aid office, I'm sure someone helpful there has all sorts of info for you! (Though, I remember the people at my schools financial aid office were totally lazy and not helpful, but maybe your office will have better staff!)

Quel

It's okay. Lot's of people go to college for 7 years. They are called doctors.

Yaniel

suck up my pride and live at home until i finish. my company went out of business late in 2008 so in 2009 i had no income. after you turn 24, FAFSA will consider you independent regardless of living situation. with no income and full time student status i get a few grants which pays for school and food, and other living expenses. when that stops working i'll get a loan. living frugally will pay off in a few more years.

Yaniel

i also try to work in an enjoyable elective class every semester. something that has nothing to do with my major but will actually make me want to go to class that day plus its usually an easy A.

alpha_bravo

No matter what school you go to from Harvard to the smallest, most humble community college, there has to be a financial aid office at every school. It is their job to help students obtain loans, scholarships, and grants. Get with a professor or administrator and find out who's there to help.

Also start reading here: https://www2.ed.gov/offices/OSFAP/DirectLoan/index.html

If you're motivated to stay in school there will be a way. I think you need to sit down and see if you really want to get your degree. Be honest with yourself and write down the positives and negatives, then come back here and post them for some honest (and probably ruthless) advice. If you aren't motivated you will just be wasting money, accruing loans, and still end up not getting your degree. In that case heading out into the real world might be your best bet. But be careful, this is a really poor time to be going out on your own without a degree.

AngryScientist 

find a school with a cycling team.

go to school AND cycle. duh.

nazzo

Don't drop out of college, brah!
In all seriousness, this is your opportunity to get a degree which will allow yourself to enter a higher income bracket.
Just how lucrative of a career do you expect to get out of 'climbing up the ladder' of a minimum wage job? How would you even be able to support yourself with a part time minimum wage job?
Switch majors to something you actually LIKE to learn about and do in place of just pursing a degree because you think it will make you money probably will make your college experiance great.

No kidding? I think grad school is in my near future!

NeelsGap86

A lot of my older brother's friends are still in school to get their Masters or MBA's because it's better than looking for a job in this economy. From what I have heard, especially from some friends, staying in school is the best bet I have. Unfortunately, I will be turning 24 this late spring. As someone noted above (Yaniel), loans and stuff decrease dramatically for anyone over 24. That in itself is pretty lame but I understand the policy since other students (incoming freshman for example) could be much worse off than I am in terms of finance for schooling.

cod.peace

Or move further from school and commute by bike. Get your cycling fix 2x/day and get the degree which will in all probability result in significantly higher wages for your entire working life.


Percent Difference in Median Weekly Wage of College Graduates and High School Graduates

NeelsGap86

I decided to switch to CIS. There's jobs and lots of money in that. In PE, not so much but it's fun. Right now, I'm just depressed and very demotivated (repeating that stupid mantra has put me in a negative state of mind) at this point. Somewhat, I feel hopefully. Heck, I even scheduled an appointment with one of the schools psychologist to discuss my problems with school and such.