Is going to school in the fall really that good? Dilemma [feeling rushed]

August 6, 2009 9:04 PM

Isolation but saving a few thousand dollars and some time but rushing the college experience and moving on before I can figure out what I want to do or take it slow?

I'm going into my 4th year at a 2 year community school, I've been trying to figure out what I want to do, I didn't want to rush through school and get a degree without trying things, but I sit here now with a decision to make.

The gist of the decision is that I can do the second half of my 4th year, or I can save $6,000. I personally don't want to start school during the spring session, I've heard that so many more people come in during the fall semester and that is when most people begin to band together. My first semester at my current school I became really isolated and unhappy to say the least, I got straight C's, that has smashed my GPA from the beginning, I'm a good student, B+ all the way.

I don't even know what school I want to go to for sure, I was assuming I could look around for the next few months and then apply, but my financial backers don't want to give me money to stay another year of what they think is a waste. I'm caught, I don't know what to do, pay the 6,000 or try and figure out a school and become isolated again, again, really wanted to come in during the fall. I want that go into college for the fall feel, it just feels important to me. I'm also really worried of having a huge debt I've got to pay off for the next few year and having that over my head, I hate the idea.

I've had alot to deal with, my dad had a hemoragic stroke and we've all been pitching in to help, my grandmother lives with us, I've been taking care of them basically. On top of that, we've been doing renovations for my kitchen. I've had to deal with these for the past 2 and a half years, I've been less then focuses, I'm still trying t figure out what I can do for a career.

I'm really lost and hoping someone can offer some advice.

So, Isolation but saving a few thousand dollars and some time but rushing the college experience and moving on before I can figure out what I want to do or take it slow?

posted by Nighthawk3729 to education (20 comments total)

I'm trying really hard to parse your question. Is it:

Should I attend school now, which will save me a few thousand dollars but cause me to be isolated because most other students start in the fall, or should I wait and start in the fall?

What I don't understand about your question is that starting now WOULD put you in the fall semester, since it's August. Can you clarify? Also, sorry to hear about your father.
posted by desjardins at 9:20 PM on August 6

I'm not usually one to critique the writing of an AskMe question, but yours is so characteristic of a person with deep anxiety, that I wonder what else your unique style offers us? Yet, it will do little good to try too hard to read between your hard to parse lines, so...

As best I understand you, you have been attending a 2 year community college institution intermittently, over the last 4 years, due to family problems, and you now have to either choose to enter the fall term, and pay for it yourself, to complete your associates degree, while taking additional coursework in the fall term that you don't strictly need for your degree, and which your funding source won't issue loans/scholarship money to cover, or wait until your next in-sequence course offerings happen, in the spring, which your loan/scholarship source will fund.

Given the value of a two year associates degree, and your family situation, it would be the wiser course, it seems to me, to wait until spring; moreso, if through this fall, you could work or otherwise improve your financial situation, and maybe even take CLEP exams, visit 4 year institutions in your area, and otherwise prepare to continue your studies towards an eventual bachelor's degree.

In my experience, you'll miss very little of the "college experience" by laying out a single semester at a community college, because of the diverse groups of people attending such institutions, including adult learners, recent high school graduates taking coursework to qualify for transfer to 4 year institutions, and retirees. What you want, in terms of a definite sense of "Class of 2011" is more likely to be found at a 4 year college or university, to which you can probably transfer on successful completion of your program, at the end of next spring, for Fall 2010 transfer admission.
posted by paulsc at 9:37 PM on August 6

I apologize for not being clear.

I want to go to school this fall and spring, and transfer to a 4 year school next year. However, I would lose 6,000 dollars.

The powers that be want me to go hurry up and graduate after this fall semester, and I would go into a 4 year school in the spring.

I feel that people connect more in the fall semester, as more new people are coming in and everyone is meeting. My first semester at my current college I didn't realise this and everyone went and got to know each other. I became isolated and depressed, I almost flunked out.

This 4 year school would be much farther from home and I wouldn't know anyone at all, leading me to believe I'd be much better off going there when everyone is much more receptive. Not only that, I've always begun school in the fall in a new place, so that combined with being someplace totally new, I'm worried I'd be overwhelmed.

I was thinking I'd have more time to figure this out, but now I'm being rushed by about 5 months [today], and I've got to make a decision now. Worried? Yea, you can say that, lol.
posted by Nighthawk3729 at 10:05 PM on August 6

I would also like to mention that I have to take a spring semester at my current college to I am continue to have insurance.

I recently became injured and had to have surgery. It cost alot, and I'd be scared if I wasn't covered.
posted by Nighthawk3729 at 10:08 PM on August 6

"... Worried? Yea, you can say that, lol."
posted by Nighthawk3729 at 1:05 AM on August 7 [+] [!]

OK, I better understand your circumstances, with your further explanation.

I would still take the advice of your academic advisors, and take the spring transfer, for a number of reasons.

1) You are older than you were when first you entered college, and therefore, probably more mature. You have the experience of taking college classes, and are less likely to be overwhelmed by college coursework, than a raw freshman, moving far from home, adapting to dorm life, and trying to find new friends would be.

2) As a transfer student, you are necessarily going to have a truncated "college experience." If you do decide to pledge a fraternity, for example, your rush class is likely to be mostly younger than you, and you'll need to allow for that. But most Greek organizations, at most campuses, have a Spring Rush (example), as do most other on campus activity centers. You needn't feel ostracized, as a Spring student, since you'll probably be a person of interest for a few weeks, even in dorms, taking a spot of a flunked out Fall student.

3) $6,000 is $6,000. And more, if you are borrowing it, on student loans. Keeping student debt to a minimum will really benefit you, throughout your life, as a graduate and an adult.

On preview:

"I would also like to mention that I have to take a spring semester at my current college to I am continue to have insurance."

I would be very surprised if any 4 year school to which you could transfer as a junior, after completing a fall semester at your current institution, couldn't offer comparable student insurance, without pre-existing condition exclusions. Check, of course, but I doubt this is sufficient reason to stay where you are, and pay an additional $6,000 in tuition.

Protip: Take another writing class or two, if you can. Your current level of written expression, as evidenced here, is not up to the expected standard of most undergraduate programs.
posted by paulsc at 10:28 PM on August 6

Transferring in spring might not be so bad --
If you have a short list of 4-year schools in mind, you could call their admissions offices and ask them: "Hi, I'm finishing an Associate's degree and am thinking about applying to transfer to your school. I'm wondering, what kind of late-freshman/transfer orientation do you have for students who are coming in for the spring semester? How many people do you usually have who are starting then?" You may find that some of your schools have a pretty good group of new students starting in the spring anyway.

Also, you may find that coming in after winter break has advantages - you would get to be the fascinating new person, after everybody's fall friendships have gotten stale. I think this is especially true on a smaller campus, where people know who's an old face and who's a new face.

If you're thinking of going to a school where you would live on campus, campus clubs and casual sports, parties, things like that are a main way of meeting people - it doesn't depend as much on orientation. It is easier to meet someone in class and then see them later on campus.

But if you're determined not to transfer in spring --
Could you work out some kind of deal or extra job where you could foot the extra cost of another semester at your current school? This assumes, of course, that staying is worth $6000 to you.

A final possibility: suppose you really want to start a 4-year school next fall, not in the spring. Ok, but you could still finish up your Associate's degree this fall and take the spring semester off - saving you a bit of money, anyway. It sounds like your main reason for doing that is to keep your health insurance. Have you looked into this? It's possible that you would still be covered under your parents' health insurance if you are under a certain age (sometimes the age is 22) -- check the details of their plans for this. Or see if there's another way to get health coverage in your state.
posted by LobsterMitten at 10:43 PM on August 6

It's possible that you would still be covered under your parents' health insurance

That is, it's possible that even if you weren't in school, you could be covered by their insurance. So maybe you could take spring off but still maintain your insurance.
posted by LobsterMitten at 10:46 PM on August 6

I'm pretty sure that I need to be in school.

I'm feeling a bit better about coming in during the spring.

I really didn't have a set of colleges, only on really in mind it's Albany university. I was hoping to research schools and visit them before registration in January, but going in for the spring means I would have to decide now, not the worst thing in the world, I just feel a bit rushed since I thought I'd have a few more months.

I'm covered under my parents insurance while I'm in school, I'll be 22 in February.
posted by Nighthawk3729 at 12:06 AM on August 7

First, people get to know each other all throughout the year. Beginning of a new semester means beginning of new classes, and that means meeting people. Get out there and meet them, and fight through your irrational and self-destructive thought that you cannot meet people if you miss some magical meeting time frame.

Second, you're allowing this irrational issue to eat you up and drive you into a depression. I don't really like how there's always a contingent on AskMe that recommends that basically everyone go to therapy. But that might be a good idea for you if you can't figure out pretty quickly how to fight your way out of that sort of self-destructive depression cycle. I have felt that same way, and I fought all through school with those sorts of feelings. You may or may not need therapy for depression issues. Figure out asap whether you do. Either way, though, you need to find a way to stop yourself from making yourself miserable based on specious self-argument.

Get out there and conquer the world, and stop lying to yourself and telling yourself that something as dumb as what semester you start really makes that big a difference.
posted by The World Famous at 12:13 AM on August 7

"I was hoping to research schools and visit them before registration in January, but going in for the spring means I would have to decide now, not the worst thing in the world, I just feel a bit rushed since I thought I'd have a few more months."

Realistically, as a Spring transfer student, you have, probably, until early October to submit your applications and transcripts to your desired 4 year institutions, along with your prospective graduation date, and recommendations. You need to get started with whatever institution selection criteria you feel are appropriate, As Soon As Possible (ASAP). Don't ignore SUNY institutions, if you are an upstate New York resident. Better you get accepted for Spring semester at a SUNY institution near you, than pay $6,000 to continue at your community college, if nothing else pans out for you.
posted by paulsc at 12:34 AM on August 7

Hah, therapists are expensive, I don't think I could spend that, then again, I was just thinking about spending $6,000 on school..... I doubt I would go to therapy though, but thanks for the suggestion. I do feel more comfortable hearing from you famous.

Paulsc, I live on long island just to give you a better idea of where I'm starting from, I'm about an hour and a half away from the city. I am definitely interested in SUNY school, I assume I will get the most bang for my buck.

I want to go to Albany since there are alot of majors, and I'm still not sure which one to go to. I'm not really sure what to do after college, and I'm pretty worried about that. My brother insists I hurry up, but why rush if I don't have an idea?

Thanks again to everyone posting, I feel better with everyone telling it really doesn't matter.
posted by Nighthawk3729 at 1:41 AM on August 7

It's not "losing" $6000 if you put in the effort toward your education. If you're thinking of school as a waste of money, maybe that's not where you should be.
posted by oinopaponton at 7:00 AM on August 7

The powers that be want me to go hurry up and graduate after this fall semester, and I would go into a 4 year school in the spring.

Just to throw a wrench in it, check on the availability of financial aid if you apply for the spring semester. I unknowingly essentially forfeited a free ride at my college because I started during the spring instead of the fall (when all of the full scholarships were available).
posted by PhoBWanKenobi at 7:14 AM on August 7

In my university system, spring transfers are quite common. I think that it works out pretty well, as the craziness of the fall has died down. You'll also have less competition for getting into intro classes (or at least, that is how it would work here).

Here's the thing tho - you've probably taken a ton of intro courses and you still aren't sure on your major. So now you're going to transfer and take a bunch of intro courses again to find a major?

If you were in my system, this is what would happen: You'd have a TON of GEs (general education credits) and then once you got into the major, you'd only be wanting to take in-major courses... BUT because there is such a waitlist for in-major courses, you'd have to spend at least a term, if not two, waiting to get into an in-major course and have yet another year of GEs. Thus you'd have to spend at least 2 if not 3 years at the University, on top of your 2 (or 4 in your case) at the CC. That is a lot of time. I see this happen all the time.

To avoid this, can you pick a major now, take as many of the pre-reqs as possible at your CC, so that you'll transfer right into the major and waste less time?

YMMV - maybe it isn't hard to get into upper division (in-major) courses at your U. Might be worth exploring tho.
posted by k8t at 8:04 AM on August 7

I find it interesting there's not much talk here about why you want to go to school. Do you have something you want to study, or is it just for the "college experience" and social aspects?

Have you considered getting out in the world for a while? Working and meeting people? Your feelings of isolation seem to indicate a shyness, or social anxiety. Perhaps working daily with a "real world" bunch would help? You'll make friends.

Have you considered trying to get a look at fields you are interested in? I've always thought it would have been wise to do this myself... get out and "test drive" occupations before committing to the time and money of school. (Sure, if you are interested in medicine, for example, you can't just be a part-time doc, but you could work in a medical setting and see what the vibe is like). I know a lot of people who were unpleasantly surprised when they got into the fields they had their degrees in.

There may be plenty of insurance options open to you. Check with your school.
posted by ecorrocio at 8:37 AM on August 7

A few thoughts:
- Getting out of your home and moving away to a four year college may get you out of the middle of your family drama. This might help you focus on school and reduce your stress.
- Whether you can get individual health insurance depends on your pre-existing conditions. If you are the typical healthy young adult, you might be able to find a very affordable policy. However, if you can't get insurance on your own, you are probably right that you need to retain your status as a full-time student to be covered under your parent's insurance. I know what a big worry this can be.
- I believe that almost all American 4 year colleges offer free counseling to their students. (Typically up to 10 session per school year.) If you get there, particularly in the spring, you can get support for the emotional adjustment to a new school and hten in the fall (new school year) get another 10 sessions. There might also be free counseling services at your community college - ask.
posted by metahawk at 11:04 AM on August 7

my financial backers don't want to give me money to stay another year of what they think is a waste

The powers that be want me to go hurry up and graduate after this fall semester, and I would go into a 4 year school in the spring.

My brother insists I hurry up

I'm hearing a lot here about what others want. Do you know what you want? I'm with ecorrocio - why do you think you should be in college? What would you do now if you weren't in school?

Who are your "financial backers" and "the powers that be"? Your family? If you didn't have the funding from whatever this source is, what would you do?
posted by shiny blue object at 9:40 PM on August 7

oinopaponton, you misunderstand, I've already filled my requirements for my degree, I'm taking extra classes at this point.

The "college experience?" that is a bit of it, but its more about getting into a rut from being isolated, wasting my time by not finding what I want to do and getting a degree in something that is just a waste of time. I've heard that people can still use their degrees in other fields, but it helps more if you have the degree in the job you are going for.

Every time I go to seriously sample out a field, all my motivation disapears and I hate whatever I'm doing. I was considering trying out a nurses aid job, as they would pay for my training, and I'd get to see how everyone acts, so I totally know where you are coming from. That's not to say I want to work in the health profession. I was going to try out mechanic classes for goodness sake, I only didn't because there wasn't a general class, I would have to take several to get a better idea of the field, the classes were too specific.

I'm guess I'm what you call a problem case, lol.

As far as the family drama, I'm always torn. My mom can't take care of my dad, he can't move the right side of his body and has euphasia, so he doesn't always know whats going on. Somebody has to be with him at all times, the three of us do a little hot potato whenever dealing with him, whos going to stay with him.

The Insurance scares me to death, as I mentioned, I had an accident and I would have been pinned down with alot of debt.

As for the counseling.... I don't really feel comfortable talking with some stranger like that, I don't want to load my worries onto friends, but strangers? I've considered it, but I could never go to an appointment, I would only want to talk about things when I made appointments.

Yes, my family is funding me right now, I was originally on Financial aid, but I can't get anymore at this college. It was recommended to me to take different courses, some completely out of no where, just to see what rings with me. I have to say, it has made it a little clearer what to do, but I'm still not there yet. I didn't like how I was being rushed through school in 1 to 2 years when there were so many different classes I was interested in taking!

I'm worried about being held down by debt. I had considered traveling 2 or 3 years ago, but the glammer of that has kinda faded. I still feel like it every once in a while, I was thinking about going this summer, but then I had my accident, I've been out of commision since about late june. I'm still not 100%, I'm more like 60%.
posted by Nighthawk3729 at 2:03 AM on August 8

"... As for the counseling.... I don't really feel comfortable talking with some stranger like that, I don't want to load my worries onto friends, but strangers? I've considered it, but I could never go to an appointment, I would only want to talk about things when I made appointments. ..."

One thing community colleges are often pretty good at, compared to other colleges and institutions, is vocational counseling, and that form of help may be something that you can really benefit from immediately, if your school offers it. You generally start the process by contacting your counseling office, and asking about vocational testing. You might be able to take, and have results interpreted, at low cost, such recognized skills/interest inventories as the Minnesota Multi-phasic Personality Inventory, the Differential Aptitude Test, or some of the quizzes based on John Holland's work. After you've taken such tests, you generally sit with a trained counselor, to interpret the results, and get direction towards possible career objectives. You don't use these tests to have a specific job selected for you - instead, they help you to understand your own abilities and interests, and direct your further education and preparation towards a career in a field you find interesting and fruitful.

You might, for example, discover that you do have an aptitude, and shared skills and interests with people already employed, as Aircraft Powerplant Mechanics. You would then investigate what kinds of jobs people with similar interests actually hold, and that might include reading, visiting aircraft maintenance operations, talking with aircraft maintenance mechanics and managers, and assessing what additional training or education you might need for such a career.

You might discover quite a bit about yourself with such a directed counseling approach, even if you don't wind up taking the suggestions that come out it, directly. And, with concrete results and recommendations in hand, you'd have a better basis for discussions about your future with your family, simply by allowing them to see you had some organized method for guiding your future course.
posted by paulsc at 2:43 AM on August 8

My local library does the same thing, I think it was a strong interest survey and another, possibly something called Myer Briggs? Anyway, I've taken them each twice now and I must say, I felt pretty jaded after a while taking them.

There is no leeway when taking these tests, one example I can think of is one question that asks you if you would rather be remembered for being smart or kind.... I personally wouldn't mind both, call me crazy, lol.

Or, another, would I rather work with people or by myself, that I would get through experience I guess, but I've worked with both, I guess it depends on the day, I'd be worried about working by myself all the time, but I've enjoyed working by myself on several projects, such as editing a movie, but there's no grey area on these questions, so I really don't like these tests.
posted by Nighthawk3729 at 1:12 PM on August 8