[Nat92]

I've lately had a lot of annoying thoughts in my head and I've somehow managed to step outside the inner circle, where everyone gathers and heads on with their lives, so I'm somewhat lost.

I recently had to quit my education because I just couldn't handle it, the sitting down in a classroom, going over the same things I went over in high school - it became too much.

My parents aren't happy with this at all, as they'd rather see me getting and education and moving out, earning money etc.

But I'm conflicted.

Anyways, we all live in a modern world where money and education/jobs is priority nr. 1. Without an education, you can't get a job, which means you can't earn money, which means you do not have a future at all.

It's an endless circle and I just can't seem to accept this kind of life. I cannot and do not want to see myself, working day and day out, letting my entire life slip by to earn money so I can live another day.

Am I wrong to think like that? I just find it so trivial to study for years, so I can work somewhere for someone else. I mean, yes, there are a lot of beneficial work out there, such as charity work and helping people who needs it.

But due to personal issues, I cannot do that kind of thing.

I know many people are happy about their jobs and what they do daily, but to look at the bigger picture - spending your life, working from sunrise to sunset, having little time to yourself/family etc and never seeing the things you want to, is that really what we're supposed to?

I'm 20 and I'm horrified by the thought of never seeing the work, because I'll be tied up to some desk or fake a smile at customers, who doesn't smile back because they obviously had a bad day at work, instead they just take their bags and head out the shop.

I dream about travelling the world, exploring and taking in every piece of the Earth we live on, but to do that, I seemingly have to spend at least 3 years working, because I need money.

Every time something about politics and the economy pops up in the news, I feel sick, because it's not only killing our world, it's killing every single person in it.

I live in Denmark and our government is planning on keeping children down from the age of 6, in school for longer and they're tightening the rope around our educational support (money for students) - seemingly to get us faster through the system.

Am I alone, thinking like this?

I just don't know what to do.

I cannot talk to my parents about my worries, my mom cannot handle me and if I bring it up, she get's mad.

I've arranged a meeting with an advisor, but I just want to know if I'm alone on this?

Thanks in advance and sorry if I sound confusing.

[Koko2]

Here's a few ideas. The first is you might look into one of those trades that take only a year or two of training but can earn a lot of money. This could be something such as an electrician or welder. Another idea is that instead of studying something necessarily "practical" in order to make a living, you study whatever interests you the most, such as history, philosophy or a foreign language. People who have a solid liberal arts education are often viewed as very intelligent and can get high-paying jobs or at least jobs in educational fields. Also, you could try to get a governmental job which is a steady job with good pay and benefits. If you stay with the same government job for 30 years, you'll have a large retirement pension fund and can retire early at age 50-55.

[Travelinglady]

I know this statement sounds ironic, because I was a college professor for 20 years, but I don't think people always need a college degree to be successful. However, if your folks are pushing it and you can hang on, then you would get a diploma to potentially open up more possibilities. However, here in The States, we are having college grads who end up with jobs they could have gotten without the degree.

What are you interested in doing? What can you see yourself doing to earn money? Alas, unless your parents are rich, just tooling around the world for awhile won't likely work out. How would you survive?

It does sound like you don't want a desk job. Are you good with your hands--mechanical work, crafting, etc.? As was suggested, if you can get a good job with the skills you have or are willing to train, then you could earn money that way. But as a parent myself, I have to say I would expect you to be doing something, not just staying at home. (Sorry, I guess I'm one of those "enemies.")

I would be interested in hearing what your advisor says, if you don't mind sharing.

[ShadowPuppet]

Haha well hopefully I can bring a smile to your face. After graduating from high school I immediately went to college - still in it to this day. Personally, I think it's a great idea to take a gap year to figure out what you want to do. Many students jump right in not knowing what they want so they change their majors countless times and may end up with a degree they really don't care for - granted they have a degree at least. With that being said, there is also a risk of taking a year off from education. You may not want to go back once you start making money. You lose motivation. So you need to evaluate yourself.

Koko mentioned a technical school. This is wise! You'll be trained in a specialized field and it takes less time to get a degree. You'd be amazed at what is out there. For instance, you could go for sonography training - monitoring fetal development through ultrasound for around 50K doesn't sound too bad, eh At least that's an approximate in the US.

If you're unsure of what you'd like to do, there are personality tests online that will provide career suggestions for your type. I actually had to do this for a First Year College course.
You can google career assessment tests or career personality tests. I'll repost a link if I find a free detailed profile.

[Jan1212]

It's about learning how to balance things in life
Work to feel good about yourself and to keep busy, but don't let it take over

You still have not experienced what life has to offer, (Im' saying this bc you said you were 20) there are more options than just a "dead-end" type of life

Yes we all work, but I agree it's okay that we all need a break from time to time

[Perna]

Find Louis L'Amour's autobiography http://www.amazon.com/Education-Wand.../dp/0553286528 Education of a Wandering Man.

There's no right or wrong way to live, you can go to school now or later or not at all. It's just generally easier when you do it in order/sequence instead of deciding later you wish you had and having to go against the tide.

No one wants to work at a job that they do not enjoy but not all jobs are unenjoyable to all people. You can only work from your own experience but don't judge others by it and recognize how small your own experience is, especially at your age. I recommend not thinking/feeling so much about things that you have not done/tried yet; go out and get some real experience working in fun jobs, horrible jobs, jobs to put food in your mouth, jobs to earn your way travelling around the world (if that's what you want). Do, rather than just think about. The map is not the territory.

[Lilith Jo]

I think, you are just trying to figure yourself out. That's not wrong. Sometimes I also feel the same that I do not want to spend my whole day at office and go home when it is already dark outside. There are a lot of jobs that do not pay much but also do not need a full-day from you. It depends on your priorities. You don't want working, then you probably never be rich and buy all the things you want.There are jobs you can do anywhere as well. Like teaching jobs (for that, you REALLY need a degree). You also can make a blog about travelling and/or take photos and make your earnings out of it.

There always are a couple of possibilities if you are well aware what you really want from life.
Usually people stay disappointed 'cause they do not have enough strength to pursue their dreams. You just have to be sure and then do something about it.
This seems kind of naive but it really is true, if you think it through. Best of luck!

[Yoda]

I dropped out of college after two years because I didn't know what career I wanted and I kept changing my major. I worked at McDonalds for a few years and started volunteering until I was ready to try another path.

It is okay to be unsure. Frustrating but pretty normal.