by "Maxima Speed" (maximaspeed)
Published 04/29/2017 at 08:38
by "Maxima Speed" (maximaspeed)
Published 04/29/2017 at 08:38
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STARS: 3
So I have decided to take the plunge oppo. About 5 yrs ago I started going to college for computer tech support. Started off well enough but after two semesters my grades began to drop, as I began to become to wrapped up in hanging out with friends , playing video games, not studying, and just winging classes. Worked for a while but it inevitably caught up with me, really I just wasn’t enough of an adult to be responsible. Anyways grades dropped, and with it my grant money ( I know I’m dumb, still kicking myself over that one). I dropped out of college and joined the work force. Now, years later, I work a decent paying sales job in retail, here’s he problem. It’s sales........ I have to work with crazy customers and greedy management all day long and me and the other salescrew are expected to fix everyone’s problems, but without the power to do it.
I decided I have had enough, I’m turning my life around. I’m going back to college, I have enough savings I can pay out of pocket for the whole thing if I have to (hopefully I can rescue my dismal GPA and then get a grant, but it will be out of pocket at first). I’m nervous, but excited. Do any of you oppos have suggestions for doing it right this time around? I’m going to be a lot more organized for sure. Scheduled study times, lots of notes, studying every week day, essentially it will be my new job. I will also be working a part time weekend only job to pay expenses and bills.
Rally Porsche for your time.
"The Lurktastic Opponaught" (oppolurker)
04/29/2017 at 08:39, STARS: 5
Study something you love, and ask for help when you need it.
"Distraxi's idea of perfection is a Jagroen" (distraxi)
04/29/2017 at 08:43, STARS: 2
Ask questions. Biggest difference between mature students and fresh out of school ones is that those with a little life experience aren’t afraid to open their mouths. Lecturers love students who engage, and you’ll get preferential treatment if you do (sensibly).
"ToyotaFamily" (robbav35)
04/29/2017 at 09:04, STARS: 1
Organization is key! Keep a calendar with important dates and look at it every single day. Also, if you’re going to be getting another job, see if they have some type of tuition assistance program.
"aebome" (aebome)
04/29/2017 at 09:10, STARS: 1
I know you mentioned it in your post, but treat it like your job. If you can, schedule your classes and work your study time around them so it feels like a job. Just like with a job, make sure your schedule includes downtime to relax, eat, and sleep. It sounds like you have the desire to do this, which will help you start the habit.
When I went back to school for my JD, there were several of us who had been out in the work force for a while and not coming straight from college. It showed. We had the dedication to be at school first thing, even if our classes weren’t until later, or who stayed until dinner or later even if our classes ended earlier in the day.
You need to find a schedule that works for you, gives you good blocks of time to study, do your projects and work, and allows you the time for your weekend job without worrying about your schoolwork. If you can do that, you will help yourself succeed and not burn out.
Three of the top four in our class had come back to school from the workforce, treated school like a job. Our valedictorian was a 38 year old mother starting her second career.
"Tapas" (tapas)
04/29/2017 at 09:13, STARS: 0
Way to go dude :)
Stick with nerds (the studying kind, not the comic book video game kind) and don’t buy games/gaming console? I know, it’s not the best solution but it worked for me
"OPPOsaurus WRX" (opposaurus)
04/29/2017 at 09:25, STARS: 0
be an adult and not a dumb teenager. By friend is 31 and just went back last year.
also try calling the school. see if you can bargain a way to start fresh and get your grant back, like a probation type thing.
"ttyymmnn" (ttyymmnn)
04/29/2017 at 09:36, STARS: 0
Having worked and saved for these years has helped you mature. That will go a long way. And spending your own money will help you stay focused. Good luck.
"Turbineguy: Nom de Zoom" (will-alib)
04/29/2017 at 09:38, STARS: 0
Good on ya for making that decision. I went the same route years ago; didn’t go to college right after HS but worked all the shittiest jobs instead. (that little bit of reality convinced me of the necessity of higher edumacation) I didn’t finish my bachelor’s degree until I was 30, so there’s no law saying you have to have it done by X age. Best advice I can give is stay focused. There will be plenty of time to fuck off with your buds after you have the prize.
"500 Days of Kittens" (500daysofkittens)
04/29/2017 at 11:03, STARS: 1
I don’t have any advice. Sounds like you’re going into it with a clear head and a goal. Good luck!
"E92M3" (E46M3)
04/29/2017 at 11:39, STARS: 1
Get a degree in Business. You can do anything with it. IT sucks unless you’re a Software Engineer. Any type of support will suck the life out of you. You’ll be dealing with the same type of people as retail (general public) if you’re in a support role. I did support in a company with 10k employees for years. Unfortunately the hiring process doesn’t test peoples computer proficiency. You’d think in this day everyone would know how to “use”a computer. They know how to surf the web and send email, but not much beyond that. Then consider everyone wants to work from home these days, now you’re supporting all of their home networks and devices. It just doesn’t pay enough for all the hassle.
People that weigh you and check you your blood pressure at the doctors office make more than IT support.
"TorqueToYield" (torquetoyield)
04/29/2017 at 11:39, STARS: 1
Take notes with a pen and paper. Even if you don’t think you need the notes, and you might never look at them again, that’s OK. Physically writing something down aids in retention.
Study in the library or somewhere quiet that’s not your home - if you really have to study at home set up a separate little study nook away from computers, video games, etc.
Don’t study for more than a few hours at a time, after a few hours anything you do you’ll just forget anyway- it’s all about quality of study time, not quantity. Better to do 1 hour a day for a week of really quality time than 5 hours in one go. Also get a good nights sleep after studying, sleeping helps retain memory.
"Maxima Speed" (maximaspeed)
04/29/2017 at 11:47, STARS: 0
That was my experience when I did my internship, but what I am doing is shifting majors to Cyber Security which is cross-compatible with most of the courses I have already taken. Yeah, trust me...... I don’t want to do IT support.
"Flynorcal: pilot, offshore sailor, car racer and panty thief" (flynorcal)
04/29/2017 at 12:23, STARS: 0
Community college credits generally transfer to four year schools if you get decent grades. It’ll save you a ton. You’ll also be with people a little closer to your age which helps as well.