I'm having one of those days when I'm looking back at a lifetime of poor choices and indecision, as well as lack of interest in study.

In high school I just procrastinated to the max. Then I just procrastinated through 4 years of technical school, in which I ultimately failed. Then really it's been mostly unemployment, mixed with some temp work. I am now 35.

I wish I had had enough interest in something, anything, to want to study it, and specialise in it, so that by now I would have a career or something.

[nicoleflynn]

I started school at age 60.....age is irrelevant.

[hellofriends]

Have you tried consulting a professional? A lot of them have experience in this field, and might be able to help you determine your passion

[winter4me]

You are young.
Is there Anything you Enjoy doing or exploring? Anything.?
(I'd drop Ayn Rand...just a little 'rub' of mine)

Thanks for responding.

That's just it, no real interest.

I have some sort of fascination with scuba diving maybe.

I liked English, Psychology, and so forth.

[nicoleflynn]

you can go to a University/college....and speak to an advisor who can help you determine what you might want to study..

Originally Posted by nicoleflynn

you can go to a University/college....and speak to an advisor who can help you determine what you might want to study..

I am interested in cultivating some sort of interest, even if it's just a hobby. Maybe the advisor isn't the way to go, but something like that.

[winter4me]

Maybe you could try some 'hobby' classes at a local adult ed. or art/craft program and find out if something "catches" your interest & gives you a jump start. Look for a scuba class, or club where you could learn more about it from those who do it (the enthusiasm could be contagious)---take a writing class (creative or otherwise), or join up with a local writer's group, keep trying things (could start with short classes, one night, a week, two, four etc)....-[volunteer? with your tech. knowledge you could be very valued, or it could be with a social service agency...other)]... ....community garden? club? snorkel.

I just get interested in doing some serious study from time to time. I don't know if my motivation is just jealousy of others, or not wanting to have a crappy job. I think it might be the latter, although crappy jobs are almost inevitable in the beginning, no matter the profession.

I don't think I'll end up getting a career out of the study though, just want to specialise in something, and see if I can do it.

[Webgoji]

Australia is probably different in how people get jobs, but I was the exact opposite. Studied hard, knew what I was going to do and had two degrees by the age of 25. Thing is, as a 10 year veteran in engineering I finally made as much as the guys in the shop. (Usually I made about 1/2 of what the plant operators made ... literally, I'm not lying.)

So what I'm trying to say is that you aren't as far behind the 8-ball as you think.

[choocha]

All I'm gonna say is that you still can. I know people who have started a different job or begun working for the very first time really late in life, like past their fifties. Or people who have dramatically changed occupations many times throughout their lives. There are plenty of opportunities to study in Australia. You just need to pick and start something. Just getting back into study mode will get the ball rolling. I fyou hate what you have chosen, you can change courses, but the biggest step is the initial one. Once you're in the system you will embrace it and work well within it. You will find your niche. Why don't you go to a career counsellor for an occupational aptitude test?

[winterglen]

It's freaking insane that people are expected to choose their life calling in high school (or younger). When I was younger I really wanted to be an Olympic gymnast -- too bad I missed that boat by about 10 years. But I practiced constantly, even though I knew it would go nowhere, and stayed miserable until I discovered writing, which thankfully has no age limit. It was by chance: mainly books allowed me to escape my miserable life, so I gravitated to them.

We're so inundated by stories of dedicated wunderkinds that we no longer recognize that skills take time to develop. Instead we expect people to have instant aptitude at whatever they try, and if they don't, then get someone that can.

High school blows. Every day I was lectured at about how important it was to get good grades. I understood that perfectly; what I didn't understand was how someone could just decide to do well in school and automatically get awesome grades. They made it sound so easy, and it wasn't for me.

Think about what you do with your free time. Good place to start as any.

[KissedbyFire]

I agree with Winterglen. First off, how many of us, at eighteen, REALLY knew what we wanted out of life? Most of us haven't even lived out on our own at that age, much less have had some sort of career.

I think that the vast majority of people aren't in love with their job, but tolerate it because it pays the bills. Very few people will have that "dream" career, that is, being able to make money doing something they love and don't consider work. At thirty-five, you are in the unique position to have plenty of life experience and maturity that these kids straight out of high school don't have.

Don't be too hard on yourself, OP.