Have you fulfilled IT?

[HungLikeJesus]

I agree with lookout. You can put up with almost anything for three weeks. You already have, and for much longer.

[Shawnee123]

I was expected to go to college. I wanted to go to college. I was a great student in HS...good grades, sports, student council, class pres sophomore year. I loved it.

My parents didn't go to college and they wanted us to. My older brother went to a nice private school but he played football so I'm sure he got some financial help there. Then they sent him for his master's degree as he was graduate assistant coach. My brother is very smart, got good grades in college.

Was able to go to a smaller private school; looking back I would have done that much differently, probably would have gone to Ohio State if I had known better.

I just wasn't ready, emotionally. I made it through because I am a hell of a test taker, and was pretty good at writing papers. My heart wasn't in it, though. I think in these times schools (at least smaller ones like mine) are more in tune with student success and I may have received the help I needed to adjust. I went from a smallish HS (111 in my graduating class) to a smallish private college where it seemed everyone had money. I know that's not true but there was a huge proportion of students from families of means. My family did well, but not to the level I was seeing at college. I sort of just skated through, and I regret it. I felt like that fish out of water, and I didn't now how to deal with it.

I remember my sophomore year my dad was driving me back and I wanted so badly to tell him I didn't want to go. I mean, I'm really glad I finished and would not have THIS job (for what it's worth) without the BA but I think if I had waited, and had known where my real stengths lie I would have had a much better experience with much better results.

My mom's theory is that it came easy to me; my brother always studied so hard and I hardly studied. Perhaps it meant more to him.

My younger brother (8 years younger than I am; 10 years younger than the older one) started at college playing baseball but later told my parents it wasn't for him and to save their money. He is doing really well now, too. I was too scared to do the same thing, but little bro got the advantage of my parent's hindsight; he is also very level-headed (yes, unlike me) and probably made his case very well.

I do believe that no education is ever wasted; every part of that experience made me who I am today. Also, being a liberal arts college I was able to entertain my love of literature and find a new love of art...most of my electives were in those kinds of classes. I also worked in the college cafeteria which were some of the best times from college.

Now I think about getting a master's degree...but I hate school. I love to learn, I love to read, I love to research...but to actually go back to school...I don't know.

[Sundae]

Perry I know there's a big difference between giving advice and living something. But honestly - give yourself 24 hours off (and yes a few pints if necessary). Then go back in and work 24 hours a day if necessary and kick the bugger into shape.

Three weeks. Honestly chick. You can hack making yourself ill for another three weeks.

And if you really, truly, totally cannot, come down to London instead and see me! I can't offer you a sofa to sleep on any more, but I'm pretty sure I could get you somewhere to lay your head.

[lookout123]

Originally Posted by Sundae Girl

but I'm pretty sure I could get you somewhere to lay your head.

HUH? wait a minute, I'm very very stressed too. and my head feels heavier by the minute...

[Sundae]

Ibram was indulging himself in the pleasures of the palm one day when his father unexpectedly opened his bedroom door.
Shocked, Dad said, "Ibram! Don't you know you should save that until after you are married!"
Ibram now fills a jar daily.

[lookout123]

[Shawnee123]

My new favorite bar joke! I can't wait to try it out.

[Sundae]

Fair enough. You've posted sensibly enough for me to accept you really have tried everything. It seems such a shame though - I assume there is no-one you can talk to about this?

Yes - you and your girlfriend are welcome down here. As I say, my previous offer to put you up can't be honoured, but drinks, dinner, company are all offered - and as I say, I'd probably be able to find someone somewhere to put you up temporarily. Not offering my bosom as a pillow as Lookout seems to be suggesting You can't leave England without coming to London surely?!

[Perry Winkle]

Originally Posted by Sundae Girl

It seems such a shame though - I assume there is no-one you can talk to about this?

I've talked to several professors, including my adviser on ways to fix it. Basically I can file for an extension, which I'm going to do, just in case; my appointment with Student Wellbeing is tomorrow to see about doing that.

Originally Posted by Sundae Girl

Yes - you and your girlfriend are welcome down here. As I say, my previous offer to put you up can't be honoured, but drinks, dinner, company are all offered - and as I say, I'd probably be able to find someone somewhere to put you up temporarily.

Thanks for the offer. My girlfriend won't be down as she's going to be frantically working until late September (we go home mid-September). But we'll see if I can't come down for a day or two and hang out. I'll do some looking and give you a shout when I figure something out.

[HungLikeJesus]

Originally Posted by Sundae Girl

... Not offering my bosom as a pillow as Lookout seems to be suggesting ...

...
Brimful of Asha on the 45
Well it’s a brimful of Asha on the 45
Brimful of Asha on the 45
Well it’s a brimful of Asha on the 45
Everybody needs a bosom for a pillow
Everybody needs a bosom
Everybody needs a bosom for a pillow
Everybody needs a bosom
Everybody needs a bosom for a pillow
Everybody needs a bosom
Everybody needs a bosom for a pillow
Everybody needs a bosom
...

[lookout123]

bosom? bosom? who said anything about bosom? what kind of perv... oh yeah, nevermind.

[Shawnee123]

lookout daydreams a lot!

[DanaC]

Oh, I love that song!

[Perry Winkle]

I'm a whore. I'm doing it. After two days of work I have 5,000 words out of a maximum of 12,000; I'm shooting for 9-10,000, so I'm half way or more.

I have my final room inspection on Tuesday and submit my paper the following Monday.

[BigV]

Originally Posted by Perry Winkle

Timely thread. I've hated school since about 3rd grade, but because of parental and general societal pressure, I went all the way and graduated with a Bachelor's degree in CS in December 2006. That was despite dropping out of both high school and college for a semester each.

Last fall I came to England to get a Master's degree because I was convinced I didn't want to be a programmer anymore, which is what I've been doing professionally since '01. I figured I'd become a project manager or a management consultant (one of the good, non-sleazy, wonderful ones). During the course of the program it became apparent that my previous troubles with school are probably not figments of my slackitude; school really makes me sick. More than that, I found that programming is most definitely as close to a calling as I have.

So anyway, why did I call this thread timely? I'm about 3 weeks away from finishing, and my project is in shambles. Last night I decided to quit making myself ill. I'm not going to finish.

I am going to succeed anyway, on my own terms, doing things I like in the way I like to do them.

(Sorry if this is all jumbled. I'm still recovering from my stress-induced near-death.)

Originally Posted by Perry Winkle

I appreciate the support, but it's beyond that point. I tried the 24 hours (and 48 and 72) of relaxation. The minute I dove back into my work, all full of optimism and enthusiasm I was right back in a very bad place.

Making myself sick includes: nausea every night before bed, with actual vomiting on occasion; compulsive eating; severe stomach aches; and a resurgence in anxiety and depression symptoms that I've kept locked down for the last several years.

This is not the kind of sick that can continue for another three weeks, unless I want to make myself seriously unwell in a way that will take months to recover from. And that's assuming that I would be able to recover this time. I drove myself to the precipice. Now is the time to back up and re-evaluate where I stand.

SG, if I can find a ticket down for a reasonable price, I'll come see you and we can have a pint (of soda for me) and curry.

For right now, I'm happy to fix my head and continue supporting my girlfriend in finishing her thesis.

Originally Posted by Perry Winkle

I'm a whore. I'm doing it. After two days of work I have 5,000 words out of a maximum of 12,000; I'm shooting for 9-10,000, so I'm half way or more.

I have my final room inspection on Tuesday and submit my paper the following Monday.

WTG!!!!

You will not regret this courageous decision. I applaud you PW. Congratulations!!