Is College All it's Cracked Up to Be?

[tezzle]

After having been at the University of Delaware for two years, I have no problems with it academically. It's a great school, lovely campus, nice people, helpful (mostly) professors, vast resources in both information and media, and my experience overall has been positive.

That being said, I feel like I'm wasting my time and my mother's and my money in this place trying to get a degree I don't even want or plan on using just so my family doesn't think my pursuit in writing will end up with me living in a car or something. I can barely come up with enough money every year to go visit Martin. If I had a job, I probably wouldn't have to worry, since I really don't spend a lot of money right now anyway since I live at home. University's even digging into my pocket money because I'm spending $15 a week on gas driving back & forth, which is THE main fucking reason I'm a few hundred dollars short of plane fare this year. Before winter break was over I HAD ENOUGH MONEY. But I can't get a job. Because I'm a full-time student. I'm not one of those assholes I hate who can just show up to class, take some notes, and ace the exam. I can't divide my time anymore than I already have between coming to class, studying outside of class, and having some semblance of a life, which I don't spend every weekend partying and going out like a lot of college students. Not saying one way's better, but just that my everyday life is mostly spent on here working on my various hobby projects & whatnot. Speaking of, if it wasn't for school I'd be able to actually do more of those projects and maybe make some decent pocket change off of them. Martin and I have been planning on starting our own website, but neither of us have the free time to push out write/draw/film/etc enough content to justify starting it right now.

I can't shake the feeling that life would be easier if I just quit school and moved to the UK permanently. Finding work would be hard wherever, but I'd have Martin, and as long as I find SOMETHING to do that pays I'll do it. It's just for money while we work on our careers. I was planning on doing that after I graduate anyhow. That SOUNDS like a stupid spontaneous childish decision, but I can't convince my self it is...

So I'm asking for other opinions. Do I honestly need to be here? Is it really the best option for me?

[robybang]

You may want to read up on UK immigration policy before you make any decisions. Some countries will only take people with useful skillsets, or have some sort of requirements that have to be met.

As for me, I'm one of those practical types who believes in having a fallback degree if what I want to do doesn't work out for me.

[Vitotamito]

TEZZLE YOU'RE A FIGHTIN' BLUE HEN!? Awesome.

I'm just gonna say that from what I've researched it is EXTREMELY hard to get a green card in the UK.

[eishiya]

You may want to read up on UK immigration policy before you make any decisions. Some countries will only take people with useful skillsets, or have some sort of requirements that have to be met.

As for me, I'm one of those practical types who believes in having a fallback degree if what I want to do doesn't work out for me.

The UK is currently not taking any highly skilled workers or even skilled workers. If you get a job offer as a skilled worker, you can go, but other than that, you're SOL at the moment. That policy will probably change in a few years, though. They do this periodically.
I'm also considering moving to the UK, but my situation is different. I can probably just wait it out.
Although if you have Martin and you guys are serious, you could get to the UK via marriage/civil partnership. This is actually a really nice option, although there are some annoying parts to it. More info: http://www.ukba.homeoffice.gov.uk/while ... rtnership/

To stay on-topic: If you do not see yourself ever getting a job with your degree, don't do it. It IS a waste of money. If it's a degree you can use to get a good job, then I think you should stick with it.
I don't think your "as long as I find SOMETHING to do that pays" approach is a good one. You should always make sure you can get a job that will support you, and preferably your significant other. Then, if he also has that, you'll be able to live comfortably. Have a plan. A degree is a strong step towards such a plan, provided it isn't some bullshit degree.

[tezzle]

Although if you have Martin and you guys are serious, you could get to the UK via marriage/civil partnership. This is actually a really nice option, although there are some annoying parts to it. More info: http://www.ukba.homeoffice.gov.uk/while ... rtnership/

I was kind of hoping to wait until we want to move back to the US, and then get a civil partnership there to make HIM a citizen...But would the US recognize him if we don't get married/partnered here?

I don't think your "as long as I find SOMETHING to do that pays" approach is a good one. You should always make sure you can get a job that will support you, and preferably your significant other. Then, if he also has that, you'll be able to live comfortably. Have a plan. A degree is a strong step towards such a plan, provided it isn't some bullshit degree.

Well, I don't just want ANY job, but I don't exactly need a degree to find a job I can live off of. Maybe we won't exactly have money to blow, but I've never been that kind of spender anyway. Plus, right now my degree is in English...

[Gibson Twist]

This is a really rough question. Do you really think your degree won't do you any good or are you frustrated and the frustration is making everything seem worse? If you're studying just for the sake of studying, maybe you should stop. Maybe you could take a year off? Could you go back to your program the following year if you did? If so, that might be the best option in either situation. Take the year off, get yourself a job, bring in some coin and figure out what your next move is.

If you're going to school to help your writing, you should absolutely stop. If you want to be a journalist, studying is fine, but if you're looking more to the creative side, you are absolutely wasting money. You'd be better off to get a job and develop your writing on your own time, find a few other writers to fellowship with and maybe someone to mentor you. Plus, you can go out and live life, which will help you in your writing more than school ever will.

Martin's a whole different song, though. Between the US and UK, you're looking at a shitload of bureaucracy and a small miracle between either of you living in the other country. Unless, of course, you meet certain hereditary requirements, such as having a parent (or grandparent? I don't remember if that's still true) being born there. Working visas take years to get at the best of times, so it might not be a bad idea to apply for one now, just don't expect to get it until your school issues are sorted out. The civil partnership thing, I don't know exactly how it works in the UK, but I know in the US there is still a mountain of paperwork and fees if you're physically outside the country trying to get in. Plus, and this is no offense to either you or Martin, it's a step that's too big to take at your age and how much time you've spent together. For now, you might have to settle for more frequent visits.

I don't know, I don't want to tell you to drop out of school, I don't know what's best in your situation. If you want to talk about it through PM later, I could do that.

[robybang]

Plus, right now my degree is in English...

Unless you're planning on being a lit teacher or a professor, that only way you're going to get any usefulness with that degree is kindling for your hobo trashcan fire. I suppose it could be worse though. You could have tried getting a philosophy or media studies degree.

Disclaimer: No offense to English, philosophy, or media studies majors. I actually like all those things. But not so much that I'd want to spend years being a TA or an adjunct, then fighting for a job at some podunk state college where I get loaded down with several classes marginally related to my master thesis for little pay.

[tezzle]

I've decided instead of dropping out I'm changing my major to creative writing.

Is it an essentially useless degree? Yeah, I guess. But you know what? I like reading & writing and in my everyday life sometimes I don't make enough time to do it. English class forces me to read and learn about literature which I do love to do.

And scriptwriting is a required course! I definitely want to learn how to do that.

As for moving to the UK, I get it won't be easy but it's something I want to do. Definitely too early in our relationship to go with the civil partnership. I guess when the time comes I just have to apply for citizenship, cross my fingers for 6 months, and hope for the best.

As for money, that still sucks...but this is more important I think.

[Vitotamito]

And scriptwriting is a required course! I definitely want to learn how to do that.

My friend is currently double majoring in Theater and Creative Writing, there's a bit of a market for something like that, but a Master's would be something that would definitely help. I know, I know, "More school?!" But if you have a Master's Degree it makes things WAY easier. That includes getting a job in England.

If you find you're really interested in screenwriting, here:

http://www.spiritualpub.com/10-books-th ... ourney.php

The first book on that list is what we used in my Screenwriting class and it's very good, and very easy to follow.

I also HIGHLY suggest you find a way to get your hands on the program "Final Draft." It has formatting for any type of screenplay you want to write programmed right into it. It makes writing them extremely easy. Even if it's just a hobby (Like myself) this program is infinitely useful instead of setting up Microsoft Word every paragraph. It has the ability to read a word file and convert it to a screenplay format as well, which is useful.

[stripedwine]

If you go for your masters, it's easier to get grants and things to live off while you stave off the real world for a few more years. Not knocking it-- I know plenty of people who have gone this route because they still don't know what they want to do with their BA/BFA and are buying time (literally), or the market is just better for people with MA/MFAs for what they want to do.

I also hear masters programs are more fulfilling.

[mossi-mo]

Sometimes just having a degree, even if it's not a high demand one is enough to bump up your resume. I wouldn't abandon school completely, because going back is much tougher. But, there is also your dreams. If you feel like you can realistically pursue this alternative, what's stopping you? If not, lay low for a while.

Think of it this way: There's a major for writing, and not for Secretarial Skills. That means that whatever your learning still has some monetary value in the real world.