At a Crossroads in Life

[CMGUY89]

Ok it's finally come to fruition. This last visit to the world showed me how unhappy I am in NYC and I am most likely going to take a year leave from school to work full-time. I am going to work like a dog, get my head straight, and then decide if I want to go back to NYU or transfer to UCF. I know I want a degree but frankly the brand name just isn't worth it if I am miserable here. It is such a tough school, and unfortunately it has a suicide problem. A freshman threw himself off the roof a dorm earlier this year and a senior hung himself a few months later. That's a sign that something just isn't right here. My mom always said that insanity is doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results. Well now I am going to make a big change and hopefully get some big results. I am getting cross-trained this summer and I am going to work like crazy for the next year. I hope I find what I am looking for and I hope to meet many more of you guys along the way.

[Princess Susi]

You have to do what is right for you! You have a good, level head on your shoulders for such a young'un! You will succeed at whatever you do with your great attitude. You are far more mature than many young people and you have time to decide what you want. You can do or be whatever you want because you have the smarts and the drive. I have always been impressed by the maturity of your posts here.
Go for it!
I hope we get a chance to meetcha in May. We will be at WDW May2-20th. Will you be there? I hope so! I want to give ya a big ole hug! :D:
Susi (and the ever obedient hubby, Raffle ;) )

[glendalais]

I can see where you're coming from. I've been having problems with school myself. I'm doing fine academically, and I'm taking the Major that I've always wanted to take, but, at the same time, I don't feel like I'm going anywhere. It's a bit of a hard feeling to explain, really. It's sorta a mix of "everything's fine" and "everything's falling apart at the seams", lol.

I was also thinking of transferring to UCF, but I do have a lot of things going for me here. This is basically my hometown, most of my family lives in this region, work is going well for me, and there are other, more personal reasons, of course.

Whatever you decide, I'm sure we'll all be supporting you. I know that, if I make it back to the World this year (probably in August), I am looking forward to meeting you personally :D: .

[ktulu]

Good luck! I don't have a degree, most college I got was when I went with my wife (then girlfriend) to a couple of her classes one day. She got her BBA in Economics. I still make more than she does :D: Depending on what you want to do in life, a degree isn't everything.

[hobie16]

There's nothing wrong with taking a break. You'll get some real world experience which may give you a better idea on what you want to focus your school work on.

And, once you graduate, don't say no to any opportunities that are offered. You may end up doing something you never envisioned.

[bpgstudios]

you know, I'm kind of at that same point. Right now I'm at that time where I really am enjoying the 2 days I'm at work, and it's nice to feel needed by my managers and fellow cast (Fantasyland--despite what you may have heard-- is a pretty tight-knit group and we try to look out for each other and destroy our enemys). I seriously considered taking a semester off to work my ass off till I got exhausted, then went back to school. I realized that once I took a semester off, it would be so much harder to start back up again. Right now I'm taking 5 courses while working weekends, and my two days at work are what keep me going through the week. Unfortunately I've gotten behind with my classes over spring break, and might have to retake a class or two over summer semester.

On UCF, it is a good school, despite its horrible bureaucracy (at least in the college of arts & humanities). Just check transfer credits if you do decide to continue here.

[CMGUY89]

I really appreciate your encouragement everyone.

Susi-I am driving down on the 19th and start work on the 20th, maybe we can arrange something.

Glendalais- The whole "Everything is fine and everything is falling apart at the seams" perfectly describes me right now. I think I need this to put everything into perspective.

bpgstudios- That's good to hear. Things are pretty similar over at the Land. We basically realize no one likes us, but do our best to have fun anyway. I've heard lots of good things about UCF, with the exception that it is a major party school. I think though that if I worked part/full time I wouldn't have to worry about that. Plus the hospitality school is located next to Universal so I'm only like 15 minutes from work.

[bpgstudios]

UCF is only a major party school if you live on campus anywhere. If you're a commuter like I am, you rarely hear of parties.

And if you are a hospitality major, then the Rosen school is definately where you want to be. I'm taking my minor in hospitality, and can't wait for next year (Guest services management course, theme park & attractions management, and a course on attractions systems :) )

Just be prepared for 5 different answers from 3 different people regarding anything about your transcript, requirements, or credits.

[Elena (aka: Bubble Lady)]

Ok it's finally come to fruition. This last visit to the world showed me how unhappy I am in NYC and I am most likely going to take a year leave from school to work full-time. I am going to work like a dog, get my head straight, and then decide if I want to go back to NYU or transfer to UCF. I know I want a degree but frankly the brand name just isn't worth it if I am miserable here. It is such a tough school, and unfortunately it has a suicide problem. A freshman threw himself off the roof a dorm earlier this year and a senior hung himself a few months later. That's a sign that something just isn't right here. My mom always said that insanity is doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results. Well now I am going to make a big change and hopefully get some big results. I am getting cross-trained this summer and I am going to work like crazy for the next year. I hope I find what I am looking for and I hope to meet many more of you guys along the way.

[font="Palatino Linotype"]after having met you i know that you're a pretty together and mature-for-your-age guy...i would encourage you to try not to take too much time off school cuz it makes it difficult to get back into the swing of things when you decide to go back...i know nyc is a tough school (i have several friends who went there and also some of my friends' kids went there too), but if you're truly not happy there then you need to find a place you can go to school and be happy...do check into which credits are transferable and don't be disappointed in the ones that are not...remember, your school experience (like most things in life) is what you make it...GOOD LUCK in whatever you decide to do! (you know we're all here behind you )[/font]

[Christine43]

My heart goes out to you. I have a nineteen year old son with a similar problem right now but probably not for all the same reasons. I told him above all he needed to be happy and I mean it. If you feel like school is making you miserable right now, you feel intuitively that you need a break and working will be constructive for you, go for it. You'll know when it's right to go back to school or maybe you'll find something else you want to do. You're young. I went back to school at 42 and I'm doing just fine so you can do whatever you put your mind to when it's the right time for you and you'll be great. Whatever you decide, I wish you the best of luck!