Martian

So here's the deal. I'm 22, I'm a high school drop-out and I've bounced around a few jobs. I barely make enough to scrape by every month right now and it's been that way for the past 4 years or so, since I moved out on my own.

Moving back to my mum's place isn't an option, but I'm starting to think I want to go back to school. I finished most of high school and I think I'd ace an equivalency test, so I want to go right to college and get a degree. The thing that makes this possible is that my grandfather left me a signifigant amount of money when he passed away. Enough to survive for two years if I take a weekend job to supplement it and use student loans to pay tuition and other school-related fees. The downside to that is that I won't have my inheritance to fall back on in an emergency and I'll end up with several thousand dollar of loans to pay off. I'm trying to figure out if it's worth it to do that or if I should just do part time education (which is another big mess, because I can barely afford groceries every month, let alone tuition and school supplies).

My mother, my girlfriend, my sister, everyone I've talked to think I should go for it. It makes me a bit nervous because I'm living on a finite, though large amount of money and I won't have a lot of time to go down to visit my girlfriend. I'll also probably have to quit smoking, which is no tragedy although it's earlier than I'd planned to and, well, it's a huge, major life decision, which is going to make me nervous pretty much by default.

Hell with it. For the record, I have about $21 000 of my inheritance left over, having used $8000 or so to buy my Monte Carlo and a warranty on the drivetrain, plus $1000 during a tough month when I was sick and out of work and needed money to get by.

Part of what makes me nervous is my practical field of study will be either computers and I know a couple of guys with degrees in those fields who are working the same job I am. If I end up back at the same place when it's all said and done, it hardly seems worth the $30 000 -$40 000.

I obviously won't base my decision solely on replies here, but this is a smart bunch with a lot of experience and I could use as many intelligent, informed decisions as I can get on this one.

__________________
I wake up in the morning more tired than before I slept
I get through cryin' and I'm sadder than before I wept
I get through thinkin' now, and the thoughts have left my head
I get through speakin' and I can't remember, not a word that I said

- Ben Harper, Show Me A Little Shame

HeyAgain

Good back to school full-time. The quicker you finish your degree, the quicker you can start working full-time hopefully in a job related to your field.

Have you thought of applying to the college/unversity of your choice as a mature student?

zen_tom

I'd say go back to school - but with one reservation - and here you have to be completely honest with yourself - are you ready for it?

School is always going to be there - why not get a job in an area involving computers (you don't need qualifications to do many jobs) for a year or so, settle down and think about it then. Put the inheritance money in one of those savings accounts that locks it away for a year. After a year has gone, ask yourself the same question.

I think going to school is a great idea, but I know many people (myself included) who went before they were ready, and came out with nothing to show for it except some wild party stories and a whole lotta debt. I know that if I'd gone with '000s of dollars in my back pocket, I would have spunked the whole lot on drugs, booze and whatever else came my way. Hence the cautionary tone here.

One day, you're going to want to put a deposit down on a house - I'd keep enough of your inheritance to one side (whatever you decide to do) for that purpose.

Charlatan

I don't know what your computer qualifications are but you could also take some upgrade courses. From what I understand, these courses (and the certification you earn from them) are fairly valuable job wise.

I agree with Zen_Tom though... school is worth it but make sure you are ready for it.

__________________
"My hands are on fire. Hands are on fire. Ain't got no more time for all you charlatans and liars."
- Old Man Luedecke

ratbastid

I think you should get your GED regardless. Keeps your options open, and you can look at it and say you accomplished a step toward a goal.

Lots of colleges and universities have programs for people returning to school later in life, tuition waivers, flexible schedules, etc. There's likely an office specifically for helping people like you. Call 'em up, see what they can do for you.

In other words, explore your options some. Once you really know the playing ground, you can make a choice.

Poppinjay

Hey, finally a question I can speak with authority on! I've worked for 5 colleges and have learned the ins and outs of this.

I don't know how it is in your state, but here (NC) a GED and HS diplome are different, and you can get either whether you're 16 or 99+. The Adult High School route is vastly preferable because it is a high school diploma, not a Good Enough Degree. So, think about that. GED's here require JuCo before a full blown four year college if you want to go to a state school

If you can go to college with a GED, do it. Remember that state schools are generally dirt cheap. Consider your living expenses in this equation, look at the college housing and meal plan. The room and board expense on most campuses works out to be far less than an apartment and buying your own groceries.

Consider these economics from our local university:

Room for an academic year in one of the 12 dorms: $3640
$3640/8 months = $455 a month.
This includes free wirless, minifridge, cable ready, in house learning lab and computer lab, free bus service to everywhere in town, security. I've lived in dorms with 30 year olds, so 22 won't be an incredible stretch by any means.

Board: go with the minimum plan, $1,075 a semester, this also gives you 200 "Pirate Bucks" a week which are acceptd at most restaurants around town. This deal can't be beat. For four months, you get nine meals a week (you stuff fruit and other things in your bookbag if you need more sustenance). In fact, I didn't know until now that these meal plans are also available to staff. D'oh!

Tuition: $1813 a semester. Even if you live off campus, this entitles you to free concerts from rock to world class orchestras, theatre, football games, free use of the health club, free use of campus facilities, art gallery, all those things that go with academic communities. Oh, and instruction from doctors and assorted geniuses.

Books: About $500 a semester. Book scholarships are a rapidly growing trend and can offset this.

So a year of the full college experience will cost about $10,500. More than half of your inheritance. But look at it this way, for that you get a home, warm meals, a huge variety of entertainment options, free bussing, and an education that will net you higher income and better lifestyle opportunities in the future.

Even if you don't spend the inheritance on it, school loans are the one time you can get an almost no percent loan no matter what a deadbeat you are. Also, absolutely check out scholarships. There are groups that give out scholarships if you're their religion, their same plight in life, poor, descended from native Americans, a junior civitan, anything you could imagine.

__________________
I think the Apocalypse is happening all around us. We go on eating desserts and watching TV. I know I do. I wish we were more capable of sustained passion and sustained resistance. We should be screaming and what we do is gossip. -Lydia Millet

denim

Also, you can stretch that inheritance by working while you go to school. I'm not saying that'd be any kind of easy, but it gives you more flexibility.

raveneye

Martian, you're getting some great advice here.

I'll suggest that you spend a few bucks to talk to a career counselor, who can tell you with authority what your best options are right now. You have the money to do this and there's a good chance it will save you a lot in the long run.

Martian

ratbastid, Poppinjay - Us Canucks do things differently. A college course is generally going to be a two year program for a specific field of study, kind of like an associate's degree. I don't think we have a GED, but we do have equivalency tests; you sit down, write a test on the basics and if you pass they grant you similar status to a high school graduate. And once I'm in, as mum put it 'no one's going to question high school once you've got some college courses under your belt.'

That's why I'm thinking I'll just forego that part, as it seems unnecessary.

Also, student loans work differently, because we get ours from the government (OSAP) and they have a needlessly complex application system. You can go private loans, but you lose the benefits of the government loans, mainly that OSAP doesn't start building interest until you're done school. If I take out a bank loan I'll be paying interest from the start and paying a lot more for the same amount of money. Loans are pretty much unavoidable but I want to minimize them as much as I can. The flip side is that $20 000 isn't going to make enough interest to offset the loans unless I go for some major high risk ventures and I'm just not willing to do that with money that I'm going to need.

Also Poppinjay, figure Canuckbucks are different. I don't know if it would cost me less to live in rez, but it raises other issues, like what to do with all of my crap while I'm there. I have an apartment full of accumulated detritus like my stereo, sofas, chair, bed etc and nowhere to put any of that. Storage would have to go into the calculations and since rez runs higher here I think I don't know if it would end up being worth it.

It's pretty much a given that I'll need a part time job to help pay for all of this and it would all depend on me finding a nice juicy employment contract on my way out. I guess it's just intimidating, because I'd be rearranging my whole life.

I'm going to make an appointment at the school this week to see someone and figure out what my options are. I'll keep y'all posted.

__________________
I wake up in the morning more tired than before I slept
I get through cryin' and I'm sadder than before I wept
I get through thinkin' now, and the thoughts have left my head
I get through speakin' and I can't remember, not a word that I said

- Ben Harper, Show Me A Little Shame

la petite moi

What about financial aid, though? Do you have that where you live?

Thorny

You can't do anything better than invest in your own earning potential. If you're mature enough and determined enough to succeed, definitely go to college. No matter whether you're looking at the inheritance as a gift or as an emergency fund, I think you have an emergency (no education) and the opportunity to give yourself a lasting gift (college).

...if you're mature and stable enough to handle school now. For whatever reason, you didn't finish high school. College isn't going to be easier. You're stressing about what to do with your couch if you move into a dorm. Put it on the curb with the other stuff you can replace once you're done with school. Concern yourself with succeeding in a tougher school environment than you left. The odds are not on your side, but if you're tough enough, and willing to work hard enough, it'll be worth it.

Even if you end up in the same job after you graduate, you'll have the degree to help with promotion/advancement or to be a more competitive applicant when a better position comes along. If I was hiring, I'd choose the guy who works with you and has a degree over someone who lacks an education. Your resume wouldn't even score an interview when there were others with degrees and similar experience. You might be able to do the job, but the system is set up so you'll be lucky to get the chance to show anyone that.

I borrowed and worked my way through school. Now I have student loans, but I also have the income to cover them, and much better job prospects.

If you're put off by the "needlesly complex application process" for student loans, step back and start making decisions rationally. How much time does it take to fill out the forms? Weigh that against the interest you'll save. I went to a bigass state school and trust me, "needlessly complex" is the industry standard. From initial application to getting off the alumni telemarketing list, complex is a gross understatement. If you can't handle that, mature a few more years before trying to go to school and you'll stand a better chance of success.

Oh, and of course, MAKE SURE THE SCHOOL YOU ATTEND IS PROPERLY ACCREDITED! Don't go to Late Night TV Tech for a masters in molecular biology that no employer will recognize.

Martian

Thorny - I left high school primarily due to health-related issues and just never went back. The administration of my high school and the school board that oversees it bungled the situation and accused me of slacking off to the point where I was completely disinterested and harboured quite a bit of resentment towards that particular school and the whole high school process in general.

I'll be going to the local college, I'm not interested in any of the alternatives. A university just opened up here a couple years back (UOIT) and I may take courses there or at the college that it's affiliated with.

Either way, I think I'm going to pursue this. We'll see what the people at the school have to say on the matter.

__________________
I wake up in the morning more tired than before I slept
I get through cryin' and I'm sadder than before I wept
I get through thinkin' now, and the thoughts have left my head
I get through speakin' and I can't remember, not a word that I said

- Ben Harper, Show Me A Little Shame

snowy

I think you should! First off, though, you need to look at the economics of it--how much is it REALLY going to cost? Here, living off campus is so much cheaper than living in the res halls, and no one does it after sophomore year. Will you need to keep up your car? Could you switch for a bike? Use public transport? How much is an apartment near campus? Would you stay where you are? What's the campus like where you want to go? The atmosphere? There are a lot of questions to ask and a lot of answers to find.

Remember, going to college full-time isn't just about all the lessons you learn in the classroom. Even as a mature student there are lots of things to learn around campus, from your fellow students, and from the lifestyle.

Be prepared to eat a lot of Kraft Dinner...though being Canadian you probably eat a lot already.

__________________
If I am not better, at least I am different. --Jean-Jacques Rousseau

Poppinjay

Having worked for mostly state owned colleges, I know about needlessly complex paperwork. If it gets you a cheap loan, then you should do it. Doing needlessly complex paperwork will probably become more and more common as you advance in life.

It's good that you're checking it out, but don't the couch or the paperwork (or the classwork) deter you.

__________________
I think the Apocalypse is happening all around us. We go on eating desserts and watching TV. I know I do. I wish we were more capable of sustained passion and sustained resistance. We should be screaming and what we do is gossip. -Lydia Millet

Dungeon_Shade

It honestly depends on your motivation and maturity. I am a college freshman who has neither, and I think it will lead to very pissed off parents. I don't go to classes, and I party alot, and I am a smart kid, so it isn't that I'm stupid. I just don't think I am ready for it. Time will tell, though.

__________________
"If you can hear this whispering you are dying."- Pink Floyd

mr sticky

Martian, no one says that you have to go full-time. You could easily work and go part-time. I know it's not sexy, but if you figure working part-time, school part-time, grab a room mate for a cut in rent, this is more do-able.

Just a thought.

__________________
The sad thing is... as you get older you come to realize that you don't so much pilot your life, as you just try to hold on, in a screaming, defiant ball of white-knuckle anxious fury

Cynthetiq

maybe you should take it one step at a time.

take a class.... complete it as a milestone goal.

nothing would suck more than going back to school and then having to stop again for any reason like lack of interest, the health issues returning, another curve ball from life, etc.

basically put your toe into the water before jumping all the way in

I recently thought I was going to go back to school. i took some online coursewares and dicovered that I didn't really like the idea of going back to school. while i don't have the economic pressures you do, my choice was very simple. if I didn't like it i wasn't going to do it and it would be a waste of money and time.

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Martian

Well, I went to the college and had a good long discussion with a counsellor in regards to what my options are. The more I think about this, the better it seems, even if it is still a bit intimidating.

There aren't a lot of classes being offered for a January start except for all of the continuing education stuff, so it looks like it'll be another year before I enroll. This works out anyway, since it gives me time to figure out the loan application process and take a good long look at all of the avenues available to me. I apparently don't even need to do an equivalency test, as I qualify as a mature student and have the necessary prereq's to do any of the courses I'm interested in (again, probably computers, but the motive power course seems interesting too).

__________________
I wake up in the morning more tired than before I slept
I get through cryin' and I'm sadder than before I wept
I get through thinkin' now, and the thoughts have left my head
I get through speakin' and I can't remember, not a word that I said

- Ben Harper, Show Me A Little Shame

Lucifer

Good for you! I hope it works out. there seems to have been lots of good advice thrown your way, so i won't add mine, but I will say this much: about 6 years ago, I was in much the same as your situation, (without the inheritance), and thinking about going back to school as an adult student (i'm 39 now), and it wasn't easy, but I did it. Worked in a factory for about 8 months while living at home (and getting my grades 11 & 12 math on the side) to get the $$$ to get set up. finished my college program in the top 5% of my class, and got hired right away by a good company in my field. Since then I've been averaging about $60,000/year (Canadian), and now I've taken a year off work and am back at school full time, this time university, working towards a bachelor's degree.
Go back to school? best decision I ever made, and the hurdles (there were a few) were worth every penny.
Good Luck

__________________
I am a brother to dragons, and a companion to owls.
- Job 30:29

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