I'm very anxious about some possible changes in my life.

[IDistractedYou]

First off let me give you some info about myself. I'm 25 years old, I work full-time (40+ hours) a week as an assistant manager at a food warehouse. I have been going to school at the local community college off and on since 2001 taking classes when I could afford it. (Which is usually one class per semester so 3 courses a year) Fast forward 6 years later, I still haven't graduated and still have 13 credit hours (3 or 4 courses) to go. I don't like my job at all but it pays my bills. For the record I'm studying to be a high school guidance councelour/psychologist and will minor in education.

Per my partner's urging I am applying for financial aid and if I get I'm going to quit my job, go to school full-time and get a part-time to pay for whats not covered by the financial aid. My emotions are mixed on this as I'm excited to leave my current place of employment but I'm anxious about some things. My parents will not approve of this at all, I've mentioned the idea to them before and their response has never been positive. Thats not that big of a concern my parents will get over it. My biggest concern is quitting my current job will leave me uninsured and my contribution to the household will be greatly diminished. (I buy groceries and pay the water bill) I feel bad about the additional strain that might put on my partner financially but since he's supporting me in this I suppose he's factored that in. A big part of my brain is telling me to just jump in and go for it and all of my friends that I've mentioned it to have been fully supportive. I suppose really the whole point of this post is to get some anonymous encouragement via the internet and also to get thoughts from some of the older members of the board who perhaps started schooling or went back to school later in life. Any suggestions, advice, or encouragement are greatly appreciated.

[The Falcon]

i find it funny you're asking for advice from the older members of the forums, when 25 is about as old as it gets (i should know. 25 in 5 days), but if you want my advice, i say go for it. a continued education, though it can be stressful, is always a good thing to have. in your case, it sounds like a great idea, especially if you hate the bill paying job you have now. does your parents know about your feelings towards your current job? that could affect their advice towards you, too. my mom tells everyone that i love my current job, but i actually only find it ok

anyway. insurance. you can find health insurance through anybody and unless i'm mistaken, a full time student can also get assistance in this area. it's worth looking into. ask various insurance dealers in town

[IDistractedYou]

I thought some members such as Braintara and Ace were older than I am.


My parents know that I do not like my job at all as I constantly complain about it. (my father works for the same company and he constantly complains about it) I should state my biggest insurance issue is the fact that my insurance through my current job is excellent so I really don't want to lose it. (I rarely pay for anything except for glasses and cosmetic dental surgery.) I'm going to pick up the paperwork to file from school today.

[DarthGonzo]

i find it funny you're asking for advice from the older members of the forums, when 25 is about as old as it gets

HEY! That's not cool. I'm 28. :p:p

[Shawn Hopkins]

I say go for the education. One of the best things in life is having a job you enjoy doing, and getting education is a good way to achieve that.

Oh, I'm 31. There are a few of us old guy on the board.

[Harlan_Phoenix]

I'm not older, but I care about your well being...and if these wise old coots think that you should continue your education, then I think you should go for it. You have a noble goal in mind. I say do it.

[Zeonic Freak]

Hey, im most likely going to be in the same situation as your going to be in.

My dad has challenged me on what to do with my life saying that my current job that i have and the wages arnt going to support me in the future, unless i look into moving up the corporate ladder in either asking to be a supervisor or getting a business certificate to be a manager. Although i do like my job at the time, i do need to be making more than what im making now (its helping me out because im staying at my neighbors house rent free till April while my folks are in SC).

That and i decided to major in grapic design, but im not sure which college to go to or art school to give me the neccisary skills for a job in either animation or video game concept artist. I took some art classes at my community college and i took the classes to see if its something im interested in/ to get nessesary skills. But if im going to be gung ho on this, i need to get my basic classes outta the way first.

The main thing is that i need to set some goals a year, 5 years if not longer in the future to know and plan out what i wanna do, which is smart, and which im not a long time goal planner :Dhehehe.

He basicly said that if im going to be gung ho in school, they will support me on that, and if not, i need to find a better job or a job that pays well in what i like to do, bottom line. Im turning 22 come January, so i need to really decide what i need to do with my life.

My advise, if this is something you wanna do, then go for it, straight up, no bullcrap answer. And thats something i gotta put into practice as well...

[SSJPabs]

Im turning 22 come January, so i need to really decide what i need to do with my life.I decided to take the LSAT when I turned 22. Took it 3 weeks before my 23rd birthday. I'm 25 as well by the way, 26 in a few months (plus look at my Join Date!) so when I say Old Guard I think I can say it with a strait face.

@: IDistractedYou

If you've talked it over with your partner and they feel that it is for the best or at least will support you and if this won't sour your relationship with your parents for all time then you definitely need to go for it. Education is important and all that of course, but the real point is the person who matters most to you and you yourself both agree on a course of action. I'd urge you to take it or you'll regret it.

To be totally cliched, the sooner you graduate the sooner you can start helping people.