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College Life
1

<p>Hello All,</p>

<p>When i was in about 11th grade i had big dreams of what college would be like. I started planning things so everything would work out. Well after i got out of high school i started getting really discouraged about how my life was going to pan out. I didn’t have a car, $, or any guidance.</p>

<p>It became obvious that i did not have a chance in going to a University.</p>

<p>So i decided to enroll in a local community college and began taking liberal arts courses. (By local i mean over an hour away.) For the 1st year I was able to get rides everyday to school and on days i couldn’t get a ride i had to miss. There were financial difficulties, but i was able to get a job as a Peer Tutor through my college. After the 1st year was over I was able to get a car.</p>

<p>I was really looking forward to the first day of school this semester. It is my last semester at this school and I will graduate this december with a 2 year degree in liberal arts. My schedule is great, all my classes are fun electives, my Tutoring schedule isn’t annoying and im making twice as much as last semester ($).</p>

<p>School ended up sucking, we had an earthquake which resulted in no running water, and i wrecked my car on the way home. Well i was thinking about it again today, thinking about the same old plans i had in high school. and here i am… 3 years later. </p>

<p>I got to get out of my parents home. I got to get out and make it on my very own or im not going to make it at all. All my money has always gone towards the family or food/gas and now i have to fix my car which is a setback but i will be able to do it here in the driveway. </p>

<p>But anyways… This december I will be done at this school. What am i going to do? How am i going to afford an apartment while i go to a 4 year school in the spring? I need advice from somebody who has done this?</p>

<p>I have a friend that did it, he moved right out of his house after highschool. Got an apartment and a nightshift job and at the same time is going full time to UTI.</p>

<p>So why the am i so incompetent?</p>

2

<p>I think your best bet would be to try to get a full-time job at your CC- save- and let that propell you to a university. However, I would take a change and move to a bigger city. I’m not sure how well an associates prepares you for a university… you can apply, but you will be a working student unless you get a good scholarship. I don’t know if a 2 year degree qualifies you to bae an officer, but it might help. I was like you when I left HS… So I joined the Army (I would also reccomend that). However, forget the car. This is not the 1950s. I don’t have one. Move to a city with a good public transport system.</p>

3

<p>It sounds like you are the only one in your family to go to college… so no support, you have to pay yourself? Me too… well I think universities have programs for that.</p>

<p>Wat happened to the car? you said you can fix it? There’s a possible skill you can develop. Maybe get some vocationaal training in a trade, use that to get a job, and use the job money to explore liberal arts in a university.</p>

4

<p>Ok, thanks for the advice i will continue to think about this.</p>

<p>Right now Fincial aid and grants are covering my schooling at a community college so that really helps alot. But when i start at a 4 year school then its on me. </p>

<p>Yea i can fix the car, but thats why im going to school in the first place is so i don’t have to fix cars my whole life.</p>

<p>Anyone and everyones done it you know, im just trying to not do it stupidly.</p>

5

<p>Financial aid will cover part of it at a 4 year. My Gi bill covers more than the rest, but my GI bill eds in a few months… fortunately, my school has tuition waivers for people whose Gi Bill ran out. I’m just hoping the pell grant will cover my rent, food, and the fees I still have.</p>

6

<p>Do you also work?</p>

7

<p>Nope. I worked for 4 days last week at the county fair, but I only earned $100. My dad says I know how to play the system.</p>

8

<p>well thats good</p>