After half a semester at the U of A, Derek has decided he needs a break from school, so he has moved back home. He’s not sure if he will take any classes anywhere in the spring, but is looking out to next fall. In the mean time, he is (slowly!) looking for a job.
After a couple of weeks in Tucson, he commented to me, “I was sitting in class the other day and the thought hit me: This is going to be my life for the next 4 to 8 years.” He’s burned out on school and wants to do something else for a while.
I can’t be too disapproving. I took off a couple of years after high school, and then took classes part time for the next 6 years, before going back full time. It took me 10 years to finally get my BS. I hope it doesn’t take him that long, but I know for me the travel and real-world experience gave me a greater appreciation for the benefits of an education, and when I finally did go back to school I did so with enthusiasm and diligence.
As parents, we have our hopes and dreams for him, but he has to live out his own life. We will support him whatever path he takes.
5 responses so far ↓
1 Don // Dec 8, 2006 at 1:42 pm
I waited until I was in my 30s to go back to school. I do wish I hadn’t waited that long as my retirement fund would be quite a bit larger if I had started at Hughes/Boeing 10 years earlier but I have had 2 careers(maybe that was a job and a career).
2 Donna // Dec 8, 2006 at 6:30 pm
Daryl, I think you had a lot of BS before you even started college. 😉
I know lots of people who took a break and then hit the books with more gusto. Derek will do just fine.
3 Heather // Dec 8, 2006 at 7:03 pm
I think it is very mature of him to realize that it wasn’t for him right now. He could have wasted money and been miserable, but this way he will get to explore the “real world” and get some of the life altering experiences under his belt!
PS: I need a house cleaner but I can only pay for it with baked cookies, snot-filled kleenex, and pockets full of sand! Interested??
4 Dianna // Dec 9, 2006 at 9:58 am
I can totally relate. I dropped out in my first year, after one trimester. It can be so daunting to think of all those years ahead when you’ve worked so hard for the past 13. He’ll find his way and get back to it. And he’ll be more committed to it then, as well. I know I was.
5 Jocelyn // Dec 11, 2006 at 8:20 am
I’m in my 5th year off…. Still haven’t decided what I would what to go to school for..