**** SCHOOOOL

[drenrin2120]

...So, I'm trying to go back this year but because the kids in the anime club get better grades than me I'm not eligible for financial aid. I can't even take out federal loans. SO, I had to sign up for a payment plan directly with the school I'm attending and based on how my grades are this semester I may be eligible for financial aid in the spring. Let me put it this way: Two weeks ago, I wasn't expecting to pay 600 bucks as down payment, with my first actual payment due in three weeks, one week after my first class and conveniently scheduled on the last day I can decide to drop my classes without owing anything.

I'm a little stressed out and recently out of a job. I don't really know how I'm gonna pay for this. Luckily, I have financial support from my family, but they can only pay so much. And I got books and other class materials I got get. And I was going to get some new clothes! *joke, not serious*

I'm also technically on academic probation which means I have to meet with a "probation" councilor twice a month to check up on how I'm doing. She made me sign this whole agreement that basically said "I hereby swear I shall not get bad grades under penalty of death".

I'm just kind of a little bit sort of on the edge, stressin' hardcore. [/vent]

[HackersTotalMassLaser]

So... that's quite a refreshing anecdote there brother.

[Zerlina]

If you buy your books used it's not so bad. $600 is a lot, but if your family is helping you etc, you might be able to manage. Did you think of taking out a line of credit?

[Archem]

You don't qualify for financial aid, and you're on academic probation?

I barely did my work, skipped more often than I should have, and basically dicked around instead of paying attention, and I was still just fine in the end.

How ****ing bad are your grades?

[drenrin2120]

Your grades get pretty bad when you stop attending. I know I kinda deserve this, dug my own grave kind of thing, but I'm still extremely frustrated. Just cuz of the money it's gonna cost me. I guess I should be glad I at least have an opportunity. Even if it leaves me broke and in debt.

And uh, I haven't considered taking out a line of credit. I'm trying to stay away from credit or private loans until I'm in a better positions to make steady, stable payments.

[Osmose1000]

And uh, I haven't considered taking out a line of credit. I'm trying to stay away from credit or private loans until I'm in a better positions to make steady, stable payments.

This is the correct decision. Avoid loans like the plague.

Also, understand that a degree isn't a magical ticket to jobland. At my job we routinely hire people with 2 years of school, or even none (one of our best web devs dropped out after a year). School's important, but don't think that just by pushing through it you'll be fine afterwards.

[Archem]

You heard it, straight from the moose's mouth: "To hell with school, you can get that job if you drop out now!"

Some exaggeration of the truth may exist.

[Osmose1000]

You heard it, straight from the moose's mouth: "To hell with school, you can get that job if you drop out now!"

Some exaggeration of the truth may exist.

Clearly this man has the experience and skill required to guide a multi-billion dollar company to greater success! HIRED!

[GaryCXJk]

Meh, I'd just finish an education while working on a very big project nobody believes in, and then earn money out of it just to show those disbelievers. That's how most people do it.

[DragonBlaze]

Some private loans are pretty nice though obviously not as good as financial aid. For example, my bank offers student loans with 3.5 - 8% annual interest rates that don't apply until 6 months after you graduate. No matter what, loans will cost you more, but they're worth it if it comes down to getting a degree or not. DO NOT PAY FOR SCHOOL WITH A CREDIT CARD!!! I made that mistake one semester, worst. decision. ever.

As for books, a lot of books you can download for free (illegally) in pdf form. If you can't find a pdf copy, most of the time you can buy the previous edition of the book  you need for little to nothing on ebay. And unless you need to do homework problems out of the book, the previous version will almost always be good enough, as your teacher first about it though if you're unsure.

[SaiKar]

Also, understand that a degree isn't a magical ticket to jobland. At my job we routinely hire people with 2 years of school, or even none (one of our best web devs dropped out after a year). School's important, but don't think that just by pushing through it you'll be fine afterwards.

This is true, but the reverse also rears its ugly head - when you're jobless, be it just starting out or because you've gotten fired or quit, it's better to be the guy with the degree than not. Even more so if you're in a field with tight competition. Experience is more important than education (took me all of a week on the job to realize THAT one) but experience and education will always trump mere experience alone - there WILL be times when some obscure thing you learned will come up, even if it's from one of those required classes to graduate that you didn't think you'd need in the real world (another life tip: you do.)

It also make a great conversation piece at interviews, especially if the school is well known or your field is small. I've had multiple conversations with recruiters or direct hires that knew of my program and even specific professors I've had. Talking about the program, or just a local restaurant around the area, makes you one of the guys right off the bat. Without the paper in your hand, you gotta try to find another common ground angle to make yourself stick out, which can be really hit or miss.

edit: right, topic at hand. ****ing go to class drenrin. I got in funks when I didn't want to go too, but if you're actually failing entire classes because of it, it's time to take a good, long look at things and decide if throwing more money at this is what you want to do. That inspired me to keep going, but I knew a half dozen or so who called it quits too.

[Valiere]

As for books, a lot of books you can download for free (illegally) in pdf form. If you can't find a pdf copy, most of the time you can buy the previous edition of the book  you need for little to nothing on ebay. And unless you need to do homework problems out of the book, the previous version will almost always be good enough, as your teacher first about it though if you're unsure.

Most of my profs insist you have a physical copy, so consider renting books from sites like Chegg too.

Being in dire financial straits should give you a little more incentive to actually go to class instead of blowing away your tuition money.

[Prpl_Mage]

Just curious, none uses libraries anymore? I can find most of my literature at the local libraries at least.

Even with free universities and such over here there are a lot of people who decide not to study. Mostly because we get too many choices I guess. They want to find their call in life before studying for 3 years or such. So they end up getting a job and earning moneys instead, that simply suits some people better than other.

[fruckert]

What's a library?
Isn't that that thing where somebody writes a bunch of code for other people to use?

[Cerebus]

Fool. It's a section of Scarlet Monastery. Seriously, you need to cultivate yourself more.