A few months ago, I graduated high school. During that time, I planned to move in with my grandparents three states away from my home and attend a community college for two years, and then attend to a university for two years. As the semester started, and around the last two months of said semester, I began to rethink things; for the first two years of going to the community college, I would only be taking basic courses, meaning it would consist of things I've either already know about and how to do, or would be completely pointless to me. I thought to myself that I could instead self-educate myself everything I need to know on my own while keeping a steady job on the side. In fact, I've recently educated myself more in a single week than I have for the first month of college. I've only taken one semester so far, and I can easily pay off my tuition and anything else I owe given time while, again, self-educating myself.

 

However, my biggest worry is my relatives. Ever since I've decided to go to college, pretty much everyone has either been saying "I'm so proud of you", "I wish I've went to college like you are", "You've made a good desicion", or other things along those lines. In fact, just a few hours ago, my own mother was crying in my shoulders due to how proud she was about attending college. I am confident in my abilities to succeed on my own, without a degree or anything. My fear lies in disappointing everyone, or making my family upset with me and thinking I'm just another college dropout who won't succeed in life. I'm terrified to tell them.

 

Before anyone says "Stay in college", just know I will completely ignore that answer, no matter how much you persuade me. This is something I have been thinking about for months now, so I know what my plan will be. I know the obvious answer will be to just tell everyone, but I'm terrified at this point about their reaction.

Gimme some time to think up of something, but I can tell you right now that I'm practically in the same boat as you are, but at a more personal and extreme level.

Fool. College is just a means to an end. If you can get a successful career without college, then go for it. I'm in college currently, but I'm  not in it for the degree. I'm there to learn and get relationships. 

I'd have to agree with Master Xemnas.  College isn't for everyone and you should stand by your decision if you know you can do it.  After all, you are using a name of a character from a series made by a high school drop out.  And he is indeed quite successful, in my opinion.

 

Anyways, if you really think you can do it, then stand by it and never falter.  Prove everyone who doubted, doubts, or will doubt you wrong.  If you're terrified to tell them, it's because you really, truly care about what they think.  Telling them will betray their trust definitely, but if they truly love/care for you as much as you do their opinions, they will accept it.  Your only job here is to be truthful and let it out before the stress overtakes you.  Trust me, I wish I had said something in many situations instead of keeping it pent up inside.  They're proud of you because you're accomplishing something that they haven't and they hold college in high regards, but sit down and walk them through your plan (if you do have one at the moment, but don't worry if you don't).  Tell them what you're thinking and hope they understand.  Regardless, eventually you'll earn their trust back. (:

 

TL;DR - Be honest.  Fess up.  Earn their trust back.  You can do it!  inb4 cheesiness: Believe in yourself!

Edited December 28, 201311 yr by Jaune Arc

Well ,from what I know, a sucessful carreer does not necessarily needs a college .

A few months ago, I graduated high school. During that time, I planned to move in with my grandparents three states away from my home and attend a community college for two years, and then attend to a university for two years. As the semester started, and around the last two months of said semester, I began to rethink things; for the first two years of going to the community college, I would only be taking basic courses, meaning it would consist of things I've either already know about and how to do, or would be completely pointless to me. I thought to myself that I could instead self-educate myself everything I need to know on my own while keeping a steady job on the side. In fact, I've recently educated myself more in a single week than I have for the first month of college. I've only taken one semester so far, and I can easily pay off my tuition and anything else I owe given time while, again, self-educating myself. However, my biggest worry is my relatives. Ever since I've decided to go to college, pretty much everyone has either been saying "I'm so proud of you", "I wish I've went to college like you are", "You've made a good desicion", or other things along those lines. In fact, just a few hours ago, my own mother was crying in my shoulders due to how proud she was about attending college. I am confident in my abilities to succeed on my own, without a degree or anything. My fear lies in disappointing everyone, or making my family upset with me and thinking I'm just another college dropout who won't succeed in life. I'm terrified to tell them. Before anyone says "Stay in college", just know I will completely ignore that answer, no matter how much you persuade me. This is something I have been thinking about for months now, so I know what my plan will be. I know the obvious answer will be to just tell everyone, but I'm terrified at this point about their reaction.

In my opinion, you should do as you feel is best. The heart holds emotions, the soul guides them, the brain emplements them. Do as you feel you must to best suit yourself. What I, myself, would do is(please keep reading after I say this, as I give a valid point to ky view) contenue to self educate and attend colledge. Why? Well, in this world, no matter how smart you actually are, people want to see a degree in something. Now I understand that its stupid, but that is how it is. Just go through it, self-education will let you skip most of the lectures anyway, just ask a friend to tell you when exams are, important assignments come up, and you never technically have to attend, unless your Professor is very, very his way about something. That is what I would do. But you're not me, maybe for you, its best to leave, or better yet, just finish up the year, and if you find you want to return, can do so somewhat easier. Personally, in the future, I'm being forced to go to college as soon as I get out of high school, but would rather travel and figure out what I want to do for my future first. But that's my path, what do you want to do? That is the question.

I wish you the best of luck in this difficult time.

You don't have to keep on going to college to be a successful person in life, college is not for everyone. Look at many drop outs that were succesful in life, some times many people wasted many years just by going to college not knowing what to do still after they finish their courses. My mom told me this "You can go to college, get a degree but are you doing for your self? Or for your family?" Don't do something that dosen't make you happy just to make your family happy. To me that's just torture. You should be doing something that makes you a successful person in life, to be proud of it, and be happy about what you're doing. Sure your family might not agree or be disappointed at first, but once they see you becoming successful in a different path you chose they should be proud of it.

 

"Look at your brother he may drop out of college, and didn't return to finish it, but look at where he's at now. Your brother is working for Dell the computer company! And he's bringing tons of money to support himself more than enough! That alone makes me proud for he's done in his life" - My mom.  

I think it largely depends on your career interest. 

If you have your mind made up beyond influence, why are you asking for advice?

 

The role of secondary education really depends on what field you are looking to go into. Sometimes, a piece of paper and a few good commendations can go a long way. Also, while you might feel that you aren't getting anything out of your first year, this is because first level classes are specifically designed to make sure that most people are on the same page, and know the basics before moving into more complicated things. Higher levels tend to go more in depth, and explore realms of thought better. It's also not just a matter of book-learning and knowing the facts: college and university can also help in teaching how to analyse data, how to write and organize your work better, and generally how to communicate and sell your thoughts to others in your academic community. 

 

I personally believe that secondary education is worth it. It gives you tools which you might not necessarilly need, but could come in handy somewhere down the line.

College isn't an end-all be-all requirement for success where the only hope you have of success is with a degree, but I think it's something that's better to have than not.  If all you care about is getting a job and surviving, then it's not absolutely necessary.  But, it's also an experience that you might as well try to make the most out of.  It's a place to meet people and build connections, which are critical.

Do what you believe is right; don't let anyone contradict what your heart is telling you to do. 

I know I shouldn't be bringing a dead thread back to life, but I don't think it's totally necessary to create another thread for this.

 

I finally told my grandparents about what I wanted to do (stated in my first post here), and honestly I feel worse than before I told them. They explained to me that they would have been fine if I had said I didn't want to go to college from the start, but now that I'm telling them now, my fears only came true, and I've made them disappointed about not making my own decision. They don't think it's "realistic" to self educate myself. The state I live in has the highest unemployment rate of any other state, so that's their other concern. I honestly don't care if it only takes me two years to succeed or ten years, but I've told them that and they don't seem satisfied by that answer. Again, they think it's "unrealistic".

 

They have told me, however, that I can make my own decisions, but having them being upset with me just drains me of any motivation, so I don't know...

So, did you just tell them and you are telling us their initial reaction? If so it might be a bit of disappointment and whatever, though it could also be shock, they didn't see it coming. Also, they might not have thought that you thought long and hard about if you should do it or not. And you just told them a spur of a moment decision, so they were trying to talk you out of it so you wouldn't act on a whim.If your grandparents know how to love you (and love you), they'll eventually find a way not to make you feel bad about your choice. The best thing you can do for you AND them is to focus on your new plans. Don't give into self-pity, self-hate, or worrying about them, JUST PRESS ON. I know this message is extremely hard to perform, but it may be one of your best options. And if you were still unsure about your plans to quit college, then humor them and look at it one last time before you put your plans into motion.

Basically what I am trying to say it sounds like you are entering into a time of do or don't, so either do or don't, there is no time to worry about what others think of you. (I am not sure if this is the best advice, but that is how I see it)

A few months ago, I graduated high school. During that time, I planned to move in with my grandparents three states away from my home and attend a community college for two years, and then attend to a university for two years. As the semester started, and around the last two months of said semester, I began to rethink things; for the first two years of going to the community college, I would only be taking basic courses, meaning it would consist of things I've either already know about and how to do, or would be completely pointless to me. I thought to myself that I could instead self-educate myself everything I need to know on my own while keeping a steady job on the side. In fact, I've recently educated myself more in a single week than I have for the first month of college. I've only taken one semester so far, and I can easily pay off my tuition and anything else I owe given time while, again, self-educating myself.

 

However, my biggest worry is my relatives. Ever since I've decided to go to college, pretty much everyone has either been saying "I'm so proud of you", "I wish I've went to college like you are", "You've made a good desicion", or other things along those lines. In fact, just a few hours ago, my own mother was crying in my shoulders due to how proud she was about attending college. I am confident in my abilities to succeed on my own, without a degree or anything. My fear lies in disappointing everyone, or making my family upset with me and thinking I'm just another college dropout who won't succeed in life. I'm terrified to tell them.

 

Before anyone says "Stay in college", just know I will completely ignore that answer, no matter how much you persuade me. This is something I have been thinking about for months now, so I know what my plan will be. I know the obvious answer will be to just tell everyone, but I'm terrified at this point about their reaction.

I think that you should do what makes you happy, i mean it's your life you can make your own decision and if this the best one for you i say go for it. Your mother wont hate you for following your heart. I think she would be just as proud of you no matter what youd do. I wish you the best of luck!