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Two Roads (Seeking Advice - see within)
#636920 - Mon Jul 07 2008 05:45 AM
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This is a serious thread.
In about a month, I am set to return to school to attempt to repair my GPA, and graduate to make something out of my life. To graduate has always been one of my biggest goals - no one in my family has graduated since my Grandfather, Although all of them have gone on to hold down excellent jobs and lead good lives. Today, however, it is far more difficult to find any sort of career without a college education.
Yesterday, however - One o my very good friends suggested a second option to me, in light of my previous difficulties with school - Joining the service. More specifically, Enlisting in the Army.
I would like to believe myself a patriot. I have nothing but the highest respect for the men and women who have dedicated their lives to making my world a safer place to live. I respect the sort of commitment it takes to do the things they do on a day to day basis. While I may not always agree with my government, and while I may often think mistakes have been made in this world at every level of command, that does not lessen the respect I have for the servicemen on the ground.
Nevertheless, my mother is dead set against any idea of me enlisting - Previously in my life, I had expressed an interest to join The Air Force - But my steadily worsening eyes quickly put an end to that idea, as my one ambition there would be to fly an aircraft of any sort. I am certain it is because she is afraid she will lose me to a turbulent and troubled world or in conflict overseas.
I admit, I am not in particularly fine shape. My health could be described as dubious at best, but I have a determination like few others I have known in my life to succeed no matter the odds stacked against me, and a keen tactical intelligence, as well as an adaptable mind.
I do not know what to do with my life. I am 22, and unsure of anything about my future - I know I need to graduate, and I will likely persue a degree in Teaching or Education, but I am not sure if I am ready to try again - especially as now I will need to rely entirely on loans and government assistance in order to progress through school. I am wary of taking on a task like this without knowing for certain the outcome or the path I will end up taking.
For someone like me, there are few other roads for me to travel- I have no particular skills (Beyond writing and objective thinking required of most nerds like myself) and am not interested in most Trades I have been exposed to throughout my life. I decided I would try and ask here for some assistance. Maybe someone on here has better options or opportunities for me to explore. I am open to any suggestions, and try to keep an open mind on all levels. I am willing to divulge some limited personal information upon request, but choose not to do so publicly. This board has rarely failed me when seeking advice, so I leave it to you, my friends.
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Like your mother, I also don't believe you should enlist. It's backbreaking work (not to mention there's a load of 'hurry up and wait') and they will go out of their way to crush your soul, rebuilding you as something new that fits their way of life. Don't think of it as a 'the only other way out' option, as that will get you slapped upside the head in more ways than one. Go to the army only if you really want to go to the army. Compared to school, the army is not fun whatsoever. It's grueling work, especially in boot camp, and fatty camp is no run in the park either. It's even worse currently to join considering that the Iraq thing is still going on. And don't believe anything a recruiter tells you should you get to that stage. They will lie their asses off and make you look like the coolest person in the universe to get you enlisted.
If you want to graduate, you could always go through online classes. There's also night classes, and you could hire a consoler to assist you in getting through with it. Trust me, there are many more ways to get through school than simply showing up and suffering through the classes. School is easier to get through if you make friends in your classes - as you wont be alone on problems and can get help quicker that way.
I say if you really and truly want to be a teacher, then go for it. If goals change in the future, they change. But as it stands that is what you want to do. There's nothing wrong with this decision and I'm sure you could have an extremely awesome time as a teacher. You're 22! The best thing currently is to throw aside your doubts, get off your ass, and do something that you honestly want to do. Do it before it's too late!
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Santo
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Member #8486
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Posts: 222
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Soap Box Time
Amethyst said:
Like your mother, I also don't believe you should enlist.
Why? It isn't her decision for one. Two, she will love you for who you are. My mother was against it also since she was an Army spouse.
It's backbreaking work (not to mention there's a load of 'hurry up and wait') and they will go out of their way to crush your soul, rebuilding you as something new that fits their way of life.
Right and Wrong, but mostly right. It is only back-breaking if you make it that way.
Don't think of it as a 'the only other way out' option, as that will get you slapped upside the head in more ways than one. Go to the army only if you really want to go to the army. Compared to school, the army is not fun whatsoever. It's grueling work, especially in boot camp, and fatty camp is no run in the park either. It's even worse currently to join considering that the Iraq thing is still going on.
EHhhh....wrong, due to the fact that the Air Force (which I'm in) and the Navy are options also. Yes, we are going to those locations including Afghanestan, but it isn't as bad as everyone thinks. The news overdoes things quite a bit.
And don't believe anything a recruiter tells you should you get to that stage. They will lie their asses off and make you look like the coolest person in the universe to get you enlisted.
True, very true.
If you want to graduate, you could always go through online classes. There's also night classes, and you could hire a consoler to assist you in getting through with it. Trust me, there are many more ways to get through school than simply showing up and suffering through the classes. School is easier to get through if you make friends in your classes - as you wont be alone on problems and can get help quicker that way.
You don't have to hire a counselor. Colleges have them for free. Night classes are nice, so I agree with that.
I say if you really and truly want to be a teacher, then go for it. If goals change in the future, they change. But as it stands that is what you want to do. There's nothing wrong with this decision and I'm sure you could have an extremely awesome time as a teacher. You're 22! The best thing currently is to throw aside your doubts, get off your ass, and do something that you honestly want to do. Do it before it's too late!
You should get off your ass and do something. And after I picked through Amethyst's post, I can start on my soap box about the military.
Did you know that you can retire after 20 years without having a degree? Did you know that tuition is free while you're active duty in the military? You can even get your books for free. You can earn up to 50 credit hours throughout the first part of your career 'without' going to college itself. Take it from me. I'm in the Air Force and have earned my degree within the first 6 years of my career going part time to school. I only spent about $500 total on school. You tell me what is worth it? Go Air Force...not Army.
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Regarding military, you can choose what you want to do. I am not trying to promote, its just an option ^_~ .
When i decided to go into the military, i only wanted to stay in for four years, im pressing my third year and i have looked at the world differently now. What i have is something a lot of our fellow people dont have... Job security. Now, i know that the Air Force has a great schooling option ((At least where i am at)) To get the education and expeirance to be a teacher without leaving your AF job. Its like getting your feet wet before taking a leap into a pool ^^.
Regarding family, my mother pretty much disowned me once i joined ((Changed her mind now ^^)). In the long run, she loves me more than ever for making the decision to join on my own, even when we are in this war on terror.
A good quote that i like to think about when times are tough...
"When it seems that someone has shattered your dreams....pick up even the smallest of pieces and use them to build bigger and better dreams."
Life is tough, but we must learn to move on. Once we get our grasp in this brutal world, we can look back and accomplish our dreams. ^^
Feel free to contact me if you want to talk more on this ^^
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Reading your first post, it almost sounded like something I myself had written and forgotten about. I'm in an almost identical position, as weird as it may sound. I'm 19, have over 3 years of compelted college behind me (that took me 5 years to stumble through), and seriously considering the military because I can't seem to focus on school long enough to pass. Right now I'm enrolled and giving it another shot; I suppose we'll see what happens.
Over the summer I took a trip with my grandfather and we talked about it for hours on the road. Unforuntely, he died right before we got back, and we never came to anything conclusive about my future.
So, possibly for the first time in my life, I really can't even pretend to have advice to offer. I can only say that there's at least two of us here, trying to make up our minds.
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"I would like to think that my signature is more then just a couple of phrases written by me. My real signature is the impression I make on people or a community."
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