[Amanda_1981]

I recently dropped out of my program at college. (I was in the social service worker program). I had completed just one week of school and realized it wasn't the program for me, so I dropped out. I feel like a failure because I don't think I gave it a fair enough chance.. but the longer I would wait, the less money I'd get back for my tuition.

I dropped out because I knew deep down that I never even wanted to do this program in the first place. My passion has, and always will be, for English and writing. Looking back now, I guess I was 'pressured' to take the SSW program because I wanted to please my parents and it was a quick two year program with many job opportunities. I was planning on being a peer support worker, specializing in anxiety. And I may have very well been good at that (as I have much experience dealing with anxiety).. but I just wasn't happy. Everyone was so passionate about the program, the courses and wanting to be a social worker.. but I wasn't. I was just doing it to please my family and never even really wanted to go into social work.

So now, I am hoping I can get re-accepted back into the university I went go several years ago (never finished my B.A.).. and hope that I will be able to finish the English program online. The only thing is, the University doesn't really specialize in online degrees, so I don't even know if I can complete all the required courses online. I'm started to second guess myself about the SSW program, and maybe I didn't give it a fair enough chance. But whenever I think of the ideal job, it always comes back to writing. I just hope I can find a way to finish my English B.A. online or else I will always feel like a failure for not having completed school

[lotusflames]

if you weren't happy then you've done the right thing! It's so easy to second guess yourself but you have to follow your heart!

[lynn P.]

((Amanda 1981)) - don't call yourself a failure. If your heart wasn't in it, you actually made a smart decision so you wouldn't waste your money. It's okay to change your mind. I hope you find what's right for you and try not to be worried or put yourself down.

[Perna]

Amanda, write now and share your work/passion and show your parents why you are better suited to studying English than social work. Enroll with Athabascau?

http://www.athabascau.ca/calendar/page03_05_03.html

[squireray]

do what's right for you. follow your dreams and focus on your talents and strengths

[Amanda_1981]

Thanks everyone (((((((((())))))))) I appreciate your kind words. I talked to the University of Waterloo today and they told me I can use my previous credits toward a 3 year B.A. in English (and I can do it all through distance ed. (online!). So my plan is to finish my B.A. over the next few years and then I would like to enroll at George Brown College to get a certificate in creative writing (which is also done online). I feel much better now knowing that my goal of completing my post secondary education is now in process

Thanks again everyone for your support.. I appreciate it!

p.s. What happened to the edit button? I see I have a few grammatical errors in my first post and being an English major that I am, it's driving me nuts! lol

[Perna]

You can only edit for a limited period of time (half an hour?) so I proofread right then.

[Junerain]

Good luck Amanda



I think of you often, wishing you only the best

[Amanda_1981]

Originally Posted by Junerain

Good luck Amanda



I think of you often, wishing you only the best

awwww, you are so sweet, Junerain. Thank you for being so kind and caring

[Christina86]

Hi Amanda!

You're NOT a failure at all. Sometimes things aren't for us and we're pressured to do them anyway.

Ironic though! I'm actually in a Social Service Worker program myself. (I'm in an intensive program though, I finish by next August). I just started two weeks ago.

Is helping people something you're interested in doing? If that's the case, there are a lot of other college programs - like a personal support worker (PSW), developmental service worker (DSW), child & youth worker (CYW) ... the possibilities are pretty endless.

Why do you want to do it online? In-classroom learning is pretty useful... there are other program you could look into involving writing as well, depending on the college. Good luck!

[englishteacher]

Amanda,

Making a decision to stop doing something that doesn't make you happy is not a failure. It's a smart decision! Good for you!

I'm glad that your previous school has an online program for you. I wish you the absolute best! Enjoy the writing....

[ZilchHour]

Every failure is another opportunity to success, with a better strategy... You can do it, it was not a failure, merely a realisation that something is not meant for you. There many other things you can still try and succeed...

Best of luck!