...And I'm not even in college yet. This past weekend I actually spent time looking up colleges and that honestly was the easiest part of all this. Sunday in the car my mom talked to me about college since I was getting a whole bunch of phone calls, but you know what she told me? Primarily about how much it'll cost for everything and how I HAVE to get a loan (I have no choice) since I won't be eligible for financial aid. That kinda discouraged me from wanting to go and what discouraged me the most was watching something that one part talked about worst college majors and while what I wanted wasn't up there, most of the ones shown were majors in the arts. What I want to major in is Animation and 3D Digital Graphics and Design. Granted people who are In these fields make good money, but I don't know if there's a high enough employment rate for me after I get out of college, plus since I'll have to pay off loans I NEED a good paying job after I get out of college. And the worst part is that I don't know what specific careers or jobs based on my majors will be available or what they could possibly be. I want financial security, I don't want to be poor or jobless or homeless for that matter. Now I know it seems like I'm being a little over-dramatic, but for an African-American male, these things are much more likely and I don't want this to be my future. I honestly don't know what to do.

 

Oh I'm also a junior in high school and last time I checked my GPA (from my freshmen & sophomore years) was like a 2.2 .

It's good to think about these things, to be pragmatic. That said, it's not worth stressing about right now. You have to take it step by step - that's the only way. I'm just finishing up my first year of college and, having switched from pre-Med (which gave me a straight path ahead: Med school, residency, etc) to History and International Relations, I know all about the anxiety of "shit, what am I going to do with this degree? Will I get a good job? Will it pay well? What should I do in Grad school?" and I've already got some loans piling up. But, like I said, you can't think too far ahead. You kind of have to just go where your feet take you. Work your ass off, be the best at whatever you do. Get as many internships as you can, make your resume a beautiful thing to look at. And most importantly, follow your passion. The rest is all secondary.

I know exactly how you feel. My dad is the type to stress over financial stuff and he pushes all that stress on me. It makes me feel terrible and completely stressed.

 

I've been in college for a while figuring out what I want to be. I dabbled into animation and I will say it is a very competitive field to go into. To make yourself stand out, you'll have to do more than just complete the classes. And it's all about your portfolio. But you know there are plenty of people in animation that never went to college. Perhaps instead of going to college you can look up certifications (Photoshop and Maya/3D Max would be great programs to be certified in) or look into apprenticeship programs. If you are dedicated and go above and beyond for your passion, you can get there. You still have plenty of time to explore your options.

 

Now, if you aren't in a rush to get into your field I can give you a tip that has saved me from having massive loans. Like I said before, I spent a lot of time in a cheap community college trying to figure out what I want to be. Just this year I have decided to follow my passion for Japanese. I am 23 now. I got accepted to Uni and applied for financial aid for the first time. Because I am 23+ (the requirement might be 22+, but I can't remember), I was able to apply as an independent. This means that I didn't have to put my family's income and assets. I was able to get $15k in grants which covers my tuition and books for a year. I only pulled a small loan for transportation. Although it has been frustrating being behind everyone in finishing a degree, I am so glad I did it because now I will have virtually no loans to pay when I finish. Just something to consider.

 

Good luck, and community colleges are your friend

It's good to think about these things, to be pragmatic. That said, it's not worth stressing about right now. You have to take it step by step - that's the only way. I'm just finishing up my first year of college and, having switched from pre-Med (which gave me a straight path ahead: Med school, residency, etc) to History and International Relations, I know all about the anxiety of "shit, what am I going to do with this degree? Will I get a good job? Will it pay well? What should I do in Grad school?" and I've already got some loans piling up. But, like I said, you can't think too far ahead. You kind of have to just go where your feet take you. Work your ass off, be the best at whatever you do. Get as many internships as you can, make your resume a beautiful thing to look at. And most importantly, follow your passion. The rest is all secondary.

 

This, Im a junior in highschool too. Once you go visiting schools youll see there are alot of options youll have once you get accepted and everything. My GPA freshman and Sophmore year was 2.6 so I really kicked it in this year and brought it up to 2.8 hopefully a 3.0 by the end of my senior year. I recomend you look at extra crticular activites that would impress colleges sports, community service, internships/apprenticships. I myself just got accepted to do an internship and some of the schools I have been looking at are very close to Ivy league but they said that an internship with my 2.6 could very well get me into the school. Also SAT scores are important but they arent as important as they used to be.

I know exactly how you feel. My dad is the type to stress over financial stuff and he pushes all that stress on me. It makes me feel terrible and completely stressed.

 

I've been in college for a while figuring out what I want to be. I dabbled into animation and I will say it is a very competitive field to go into. To make yourself stand out, you'll have to do more than just complete the classes. And it's all about your portfolio. But you know there are plenty of people in animation that never went to college. Perhaps instead of going to college you can look up certifications (Photoshop and Maya/3D Max would be great programs to be certified in) or look into apprenticeship programs. If you are dedicated and go above and beyond for your passion, you can get there. You still have plenty of time to explore your options.

 

Now, if you aren't in a rush to get into your field I can give you a tip that has saved me from having massive loans. Like I said before, I spent a lot of time in a cheap community college trying to figure out what I want to be. Just this year I have decided to follow my passion for Japanese. I am 23 now. I got accepted to Uni and applied for financial aid for the first time. Because I am 23+ (the requirement might be 22+, but I can't remember), I was able to apply as an independent. This means that I didn't have to put my family's income and assets. I was able to get $15k in grants which covers my tuition and books for a year. I only pulled a small loan for transportation. Although it has been frustrating being behind everyone in finishing a degree, I am so glad I did it because now I will have virtually no loans to pay when I finish. Just something to consider.

 

Good luck, and community colleges are your friend

 

What you said about the animation thing, do you mean that I can possibly practice that independently and build up my portfolio somewhat independently, and following a different major, as a way to expand my career choices? I know computer since is a possibility for me because I have a good interest for computers and their inner workings. Also I'm a bit confused with what you mean by "certifications" in the animation programs and need a bit more clarification. And while community college may be better financially, I've never been a fan of them personally (plus I feel like it'd be a waste of going to a school meant to prepare me for college giving me a crap-load of higher level work).

This, Im a junior in highschool too. Once you go visiting schools youll see there are alot of options youll have once you get accepted and everything. My GPA freshman and Sophmore year was 2.6 so I really kicked it in this year and brought it up to 2.8 hopefully a 3.0 by the end of my senior year. I recomend you look at extra crticular activites that would impress colleges sports, community service, internships/apprenticships. I myself just got accepted to do an internship and some of the schools I have been looking at are very close to Ivy league but they said that an internship with my 2.6 could very well get me into the school. Also SAT scores are important but they arent as important as they used to be.

 

For extra-curricular: I'm in bowling (in and out of school), Ski-Club, Rugby (not really this year), Multi-cultural club (same deal as rugby), Chorus and Chorale (select chorus) and I volunteer with my church and occasionally at Roswell Park so those I have pretty nailed down. For internships we do those near the end of senior year. Hopefully I can get things settled.

Go to community college for two years and save money. You can figure out more clearly what you wanna do and most community colleges have good programs set up to transfer into near by 4 year colleges. Sometimes you even get additional scholarship money as well. Honestly what you wanna do will change a lot and that's fine. Just its better to start somewhere like a community college if money is an issue. Remember there is no real difference between community colleges and 4 year colleges except a possible campus life, which you can still get if your friends go to schools around you.

Edited April 24, 201213 yr by legendkiller222

What you said about the animation thing, do you mean that I can possibly practice that independently and build up my portfolio somewhat independently, and following a different major, as a way to expand my career choices? I know computer since is a possibility for me because I have a good interest for computers and their inner workings. Also I'm a bit confused with what you mean by "certifications" in the animation programs and need a bit more clarification. And while community college may be better financially, I've never been a fan of them personally (plus I feel like it'd be a waste of going to a school meant to prepare me for college giving me a crap-load of higher level work).

 

Yeah, you can study independently, but I'll warn you. It takes a lot of discipline to do this and animation is something that takes a lot of time. If anything I would take a beginners class just to get used to the program. It helps to have a professor there for when you click something and suddenly you don't know where you are (which happens a lot with 3D programs).

 

Ceritification is when you have a certificate that says you are fluent in the program. So like with the Master Photoshop certificate you take a test that tests you on EVERYTHING about the program. But those certifications are very impressive and will look good when applying for a job. There is even debate that certification better trains you for future employment than a degree, but this depends on who you talk to.

 

When I was in high school I kind of thought of community colleges being a waste of time, but I certainly don't think that anymore. Honestly, I don't see a point going to a uni for 4 years when you can take two year at a community college and transfer for the last two years, and in the end your resume will have the uni listed. And you don't start on higher-level work no matter what college you go to. You will always start with the 101 classes which is your intro classes and are pretty easy, and then the difficulty rises as the years go by.

Trust me, you aren't alone with that anxiety, I'm graduating this june, and I've hardly even looked into college yet (So responsible of me, I know.). I'm probably gonna take my generals my first year to get those out of the way, then look into exactly what I want to do, I probably will try something with computer programming to start, since I really like computers and would like to know more about them, as well as how to make them awesome (Yes I'm super nerdy like that, don't judge me ._.). Honestly though, a dream career for me would be something pertaining to a video game, seriously, I'd love to be apart of a popular game (I've gotten off topic...LULZ)

 

Seriously, loans are normal, I'm sure everyone with some form of college education has them. I can understand your stress about college, it's a big deal, and you are rightfully concerned about it. In fact, I should be more concerned than you are right now, seriously, I'm so indifferent about college right now it's ridiculous . If you try your best, I'm sure you'll be fine, just make small but fair goals for yourself and do your best to accomplish them. If you stumble along the way, pick yourself up and learn from your mistakes, everyone makes them, but not everyone grows from them. How do you learn from your mistakes? I honestly don't know , I have the words but not the brainz to back them up (Yes, I just said brainz, does that mean I'm a zombie? Probably > : D ) I'm not really good with advice, I can't tell you what you should do in terms of colleges, like where to start and such, that's what smart adults are for I guess , they try to show us what the heck to do, but it's like, nope, I want that 5 pounds of cake in my stomach now, no regrets!!!!!!!! (Yes, I'm random, is that a good thing? That's for the cow to know ) I can only say this, best of luck, realize that college is expensive but worth it, and that chocolate cake is delicious! (Seriously, it's yummy, go make some.....now.)

 

 

 

That's all I have to say, probably the worst advice here, I really don't know, lulz, but seriously though, hope everything goes well, I don't want you to be poor and jobless either, that's boring, and you'd probably be hungry, and that's no fun

Edited April 24, 201213 yr by Keyblader