I'm Unsure of My Future...

"JQJ213- Now With An Extra Cylinder!" (jqj213)
12/16/2014 at 22:01 • Filed to: None

Well good evening Opponauts. I'm back again to not really rant but just talk about what's been going on and maybe get a little advice out of you. As always, thanks in advance and if you aren't interested keep on scrolling.

Well I'm here tonight because of school. More specifically my future. I'm currently 16, a junior in high school. And I hate it. I'm not a bad student; I have about a 3.7 GPA and I'm in honors, AP, and DE Classes. I just hate the people. These kids annoy me here. I hate the groups, the cliques, the need to show off and go out partying every weekend to be popular. That just isn't me. While they are out getting wasted, I'm working at a grocery store not because I want to but because I need to help my family.

My dad was unemployed for a little over two months while they were remodeling the bar he managed. We went onto unemployment and barely scraped by on mom's meager salary and the little bit I could give back. It took a toll on everyone honestly. Now the bar opened back up two weeks ago, but it isn't doing the business anyone expected. Dad is also miserable at his job and has no passion and finds it a waste of his college degree. Mom has no real attachment to her job as a substance abuse counselor. I just bag groceries so I really don't care either way.

We also are tired of living in Florida. Between the old people, the rude snowbirds, the awful weather, and the lack of opportunities, we all want to move. The talk is about letting us (myself and younger sister) finish out this school year before we do get up and go. But here's why I'm here tonight.

I'm unsure of my future. Junior year is when I need to start applying to colleges and planning my future. I haven't even taken my ACT or SAT test and haven't even started looking into colleges yet. Personally, I'm not looking forward to college that much either. After seeing how far dad's degree got him (he has a masters in economics from Rutgers) and mom still paying off her student loan (at 46), I don't really see the point in going to a really good school and going in debt. Also, so many people with great degrees aren't doing much more than bagging groceries or flipping burgers… so I want to stay cheap and local.

Here's the issue. If I stay here, my plan is to do the 2 year at the local community college down the road, and then 2 years at University of South Florida for business. Also, next year I plan on spending as much time as possible at the community college doing dual enrollment. But if I move… then I can't do this anymore.

And also, moving is bittersweet. On one hand I want to move very badly. I want a fresh start and a chance to meet all new people and get a new job. My family also does. We would go to NC, which is nice since I can keep my job at Publix or NH which is brand new to everyone and be a total restart. However I am also scared of starting over senior year. It's supposed to be a fun easy year. And if I have to restart, I need all new friends and to learn all of the traditions. I'd also leave my four close friends behind which would suck. They say they'd still talk to me but I know it won't be the truth.

I just really wanted to get this out here and maybe hear some opinions about anything. Thanks guys!

DISCUSSION (26)

TillTheWheelsFallOff: Brocoma > JQJ213- Now With An Extra Cylinder!
12/16/2014 at 22:08

If your family believes a move will be beneficial both their careers and will allow you and your sister to attend colleges in NC for in-state prices, I'd say go for it and be supportive. Your senior year will be what you make of it, regardless of where you attend. Sure, leaving behind your close friends and being unable to walk with them will suck, but don't rule out keeping in touch. I have 6 best friends at home in Texas while I'm attending school here in Colorado and we talk regularly.

JQJ213- Now With An Extra Cylinder! > TillTheWheelsFallOff: Brocoma
12/16/2014 at 22:11

I moved up to NJ back in 2010 and all my "friends" never spoke of me again like a month after leaving. then when I returned to Florida in 2012 all my NJ "friends" did the same thing. I just know it'll most likely happen and its what I fear.

I'm a very anxious person and hate the unknown. I want to leave but Im scared to do so...

m-b-w loves his SUBAROO > JQJ213- Now With An Extra Cylinder!
12/16/2014 at 22:12

Just out of curiosity, where in NC might you end up? Also, when it comes to the testing, I would say that you should focus on the ACT versus the evil SAT. BTW, A good thing about living in NC is that in state tuition is insanely cheap at the state colleges.

For Sweden > JQJ213- Now With An Extra Cylinder!
12/16/2014 at 22:12

You're too young to be this senile.

As for going to American schools without going into debt; I'm going to make the assumption that with your dad unemployed and your family seeking to move elsewhere for work, you're family income isn't super-high. Many American schools, especially private schools see this and offer huge amounts of financial aid to compensate.

Logansteno: Bought a VW? > JQJ213- Now With An Extra Cylinder!
12/16/2014 at 22:15

Dude, trust me, everyone our age is unsure about their future. Even me, and I know what career path I'm heading down. My girlfriend is absolutely terrified because she needs to start looking at colleges and she hasn't the damnedest clue about what she wants to do with her life. There's just too many variables in our lives right now to know what the future holds. That's all it really comes down to: life. It can get in the way and alter stuff in the blink of an eye. I've learned over the last three-four years of my family's few ups and a lot of downs that it's just a roller coaster ride that you have to hold on to and do the best you can. Just take it one day at a time.

JQJ213- Now With An Extra Cylinder! > m-b-w loves his SUBAROO
12/16/2014 at 22:15

I think I'll just take both. Im TERRIBLE at math though. And somewhere near the mountains; not fully sure where though. It would need to be near a Publix though

m-b-w loves his SUBAROO > JQJ213- Now With An Extra Cylinder!
12/16/2014 at 22:17

Harris Teeter and Food Lion seem to be a pretty big deal around NC, but I haven't seen a Publix before. As for the mountains, Boone is pretty nice, and App State is #2 on my college list.

TillTheWheelsFallOff: Brocoma > JQJ213- Now With An Extra Cylinder!
12/16/2014 at 22:20

I'm the same. I need a friend group that is willing to put in as much as I do. If you haven't already, strike up a conversation about the future, I don't mean like near future like colleges and post-graduation plans, I'm talking like 15 years in the future. If your friends can comfortably talk and joke about that and make a commitment to each other, I don't think you should have anything to worry about.

JQJ213- Now With An Extra Cylinder! > m-b-w loves his SUBAROO
12/16/2014 at 22:20

Publix has just moved into the area.. I believe they bought all the old Piggly Wigglys but dont quote me on that. By next Summer they plan on having like 50 or so open

m-b-w loves his SUBAROO > JQJ213- Now With An Extra Cylinder!
12/16/2014 at 22:23

Well, I just looked it up, and my town is about to get one. I never knew publix existed .

JQJ213- Now With An Extra Cylinder! > m-b-w loves his SUBAROO
12/16/2014 at 22:27

DUDE! YOU ARE IN FOR AN AWESOME SHOPPING EXPERIENCE!

The best fried chicken; subs; and usually awesome employees.

Ive shopped at them my whole life and honestly its hard to be away from them. Theres a reason they are tied for second as best grocery store (Trader Joes is 1 and we are tied for 2nd with Whole Foods)

JayZAyEighty thinks C4+3=C7 > JQJ213- Now With An Extra Cylinder!
12/16/2014 at 22:27

Sorry to hear things have been tough. On the more practical side, it sounds like your location might be a limiting factor for your parents' careers, possibly? And high school sucks. It's because people suck, and our societal construct sucks, and this is when mildly annoying kids become suckass people. I haven't "hung out" with anyone my age for quite a while now. Anyways, my point of view is certainly one of stark realism and it's not healthy to be so cynical and oversimplifying but that's where a clear perspective and lots of time alone to think will get you. It's better to just engage in the activities of your peers if that's something you enjoy, because we naturally see the world through a lens of extra happiness created by our brains. I used to be the nerdiest kid around, and a very materialistic one. But we are all simply advanced animals that have created a maze referred to as "life." The way you view things is through subconscious perception, and that underlying tone is what separates the "wise" from the naive. Wisdom is simply seeing the world with clarity more commonly referred to as dismissiveness or cynicism. Culture is what we stuff on top of that to get meaning and warmth and all of that fuzzy shit.

More practicality: College is expensive and taxing. So is high school. I don't feel the pressure to perform exceptionally in the toxic environment of high school, so I'll end up going to community college because that's the only way I'm getting into a decent school here for engineering. I won't sacrifice my personal and mental freedom at this point in my life instead of trying to understand more fundamental things that live their life by the code of societal expectation without wanting to discover and intellectualize in regards to something over than the system that restricts us from doing so.

Sorry for all of that convoluted rambling. Hope everything works out!

m-b-w loves his SUBAROO > JQJ213- Now With An Extra Cylinder!
12/16/2014 at 22:29

Well, then I guess I have something to be excited about. Apparently they bought a movie theatre which they are going to demolish, and make into one. Being that it is less than a mile from greensboro's richest neighborhood, I am sure it will be quite a popular store.

Tohru > JQJ213- Now With An Extra Cylinder!
12/16/2014 at 22:31

I'd also leave my four close friends behind which would suck. They say they'd still talk to me but I know it won't be the truth.

I know those feels, bro. The only high school friends I have left live an hour and a half from me, and I'm lucky to hear from any of them once every couple months - if that.

Jordan and the Slowrunner, Boomer Intensifies > JQJ213- Now With An Extra Cylinder!
12/16/2014 at 22:38

I might be moving out of Florida soon as well! Fuck this state, escape at the first chance you get. I'm looking forward to a new start.

JQJ213- Now With An Extra Cylinder! > Jordan and the Slowrunner, Boomer Intensifies
12/16/2014 at 22:42

Thats what I want most. I want to restart. Ive messed up with a lot of people here and I want to be able to have a clean slate where no one knows me.

I do hate this state

Jordan and the Slowrunner, Boomer Intensifies > JQJ213- Now With An Extra Cylinder!
12/16/2014 at 22:50

My Dad has an interview next month in S.C., so that should be a good change. I scoped the area on Google Earth and liked what I saw, hilly and curvy unpaved roads... ALL OVER THE PLACE

Conan > JQJ213- Now With An Extra Cylinder!
12/16/2014 at 23:42

When you escape high school you're likely to "hate it." less. If you have actual goals for your life, college is not such a bad thing. The two year community college and transfer to state school route can be excellent. It just depends on what you're after. Are you after a business degree to have a business degree, or because that's what you actually want? You should take the ACT and SAT, just to see what your options are. I tell my students to take the SAT at least 3 times and the ACT once.

JQJ213- Now With An Extra Cylinder! > Conan
12/17/2014 at 06:36

My ultimate dream is to have a chain of car dealerships. As soon as I turn 18 I plan on trying to go sell cars and work my way up so I can learn everything before going and starting my own. So I think just a good business degree would work well here.

My biggest downfall is math. In fact I feel like an idiot because im in a DE History course, AP Lang, and AP gov, yet im essentially in a remedial math class, which looks horrible for me... its also what scares me about the SAT

Nibbles > JQJ213- Now With An Extra Cylinder!
12/17/2014 at 09:33

I didn't follow my dreams and initially stayed in my hometown and married my high-school girlfriend

It was the single-most worst idea of my life. I burned a lot of bridges getting out of the deadly situation I put myself in and moving away to follow my dreams

This probably has no bearing or will help you at all. Just wanted to put it out there

Conan > JQJ213- Now With An Extra Cylinder!
12/17/2014 at 11:13

The SAT is mostly Algebra and Geometry, so you don't have to be rocking stuff past Calc. I suggest you spend time at Khan Academy to make it less scary and look at community college transfer options in your new potential states and current one. My students can automatically transfer to UVA and Virginia Tech with high enough community college GPAs.

Slant6 > TillTheWheelsFallOff: Brocoma
12/17/2014 at 16:35

I'm pretty sure in state tuition applies only if you've lived in NC for at least 6 years.

Slant6 > JQJ213- Now With An Extra Cylinder!
12/17/2014 at 16:36

You obviously haven't been to NC long enough to know about fried chicken.

TillTheWheelsFallOff: Brocoma > Slant6
12/17/2014 at 16:37

If so, my bad, was just assuming.

Slant6 > TillTheWheelsFallOff: Brocoma
12/17/2014 at 16:49

It's good. I live in NC and I'm applying to college now. Appalachian is looking real good right now at 13k a year.

Fellow Taco driver?

TillTheWheelsFallOff: Brocoma > Slant6
12/17/2014 at 17:19

Good luck!

Yep! I like yours!