Was college/university a WASTE of time and money for you?

Bingo. That sums it up.

If you plan on being an entrepreneur then it's a waste of time. Look at how many of the young guys on the Forbes 400 are dropouts.

If you plan on being an employee college is great.

Not many people retire now a days so I dunno how much sense it makes compared to years past when you could count on a gold Rolex with an engraving that says "To Bob, thanks for the years of service."

Dude, I did all of that stuff from the time I was 18... while making $100k and up. Except for the foosball, acid and philosophy class. College isn't necessary for life experience. What, do you think life stops when you aren't in school? To be honest, real life doesn't start until after school for most people.

I actually feel that college is a scam. I've done just fine without it, and I'm not in debt

Hard to have an opinion on something you have never experienced?

I would think so

I'm basing my opinion on the fact that I have close friends who went to college and feel that it was pointless for them to do so, friends who will most likely never make close to as much money as I do. I dropped out of high school in 10th grade to start online businesses, I haven't regretted it once.

Went to a huge party school for 4 years. Took out a bunch of loans that I didn't need to take out. Drank. Had sex with many many many hot college broads. Took my LSAT's. Graduated with a decent GPA. Planned to go to Law school. 3 years later I sit here having done absolutely nothing with my degree. I was in debt up to my ears but that has finally cleared up.

So was college worth it? Not really...but I do get to go back to school at anytime I want if the bottom falls out of this internet thing. Though I would like to retire in less than 15 years. Being relatively young (25 years) I have the next 20 years with an open window of getting my masters or law degree and still being able to do something with it for 20 or so years. So it wasn't a complete waste of 4 years.

Oh, to add to my previous post, I went to college for a semester at a small Texas school then transferred to NYU for another. After looking at my career on one hand and school on the other I found college was impeding my ability to make money (which I was doing at the same time mind you). Work experience counts more at the end of the day.

I know a lot of people that did that type of stuff but its not the same unless you are living on or by campus and going to school there. You are one of the few people I've ever met that was making 100K and up when you were 18. You should write a book on that and you'd be a millionaire.

And I'm not saying life stops after school, my life only got better. But this was about whether college is worth the time and money and there is no question that it is. What about all the people that graduated from school and are making tons of lute like doctors and lawyers and so on. Without college they would not be in that field.

I like money too and was making good change since about 15 but enjoying my youth and spending time with all my friends was more important at 18.
I guess you are just one of those lucky people that is so smart that they don't need school. I'd love to know what you were doing at 18 that made you over 100K.

Telecommunications/Broadcasting, ironically the same thing I was going to school for.

As I said before, if you are plannig to do a job like financial services, medical, legal and so on you have no choice. The vast majority of people in college are not planning on doing that.

I've done a lot of hiring over the years and in every case the person with experience beats out the person without, degree or no degree. If you can spend those years gaining work experience in your chosen field it goes a long way.

I guess the key is also knowing what you want to do. If you don't then college is a great place to kill time while you figure it out. Hell, I always said that if I ever had time for a vacation I'd go to college for a semester just to party. It is good for that without a doubt.

You are all business. That to me proves you missed out on the WHOLE college experience. Man, life isn't only about making money. There is a lot more to life than that. I don't care how much lute you make, you can't buy the experiences one has during a 4 year adventure at college. Money will never touch that. I kinda feel bad for you since you didn't get to experience it. If you did the 4 years, you would understand what I'm saying here. Theres really no point to go back and forth with someone that just doesnt get it.

But I do give you props for not going to school and still being financially secure. Most people in this world fight to get 35K a year jobs since they only have a high school diploma. So you are one of the few that has done well.

lol I did a grade 12 co-op in grade 10, at a resume place. The principal told me "leave my school or go to co-op" so I did. Then we had the same thing happen in grade 11, they wanted me in co-op again, so I was like alright... Then the SAME teacher from the year before asked us to write a resume. I'm thinking sweet, I just wrote resumes for a year.. So I give her my resume, she was like "Do another one, you already did this one" And I was like "Lady, this is a factual document. Re-writing the facts would result in... the same document." I guess that was too much for her, and a few principal visits later we both decided I didn't really belong at school.

Was involved in a website network that sold to Internet.com in 1997, and have done all kinds of other cool stuff, including my current Adult site. I did manage to get a highschool diploma (some alternative school basically gave me one, for going to my job) and I have no idea where it is.

If someone overlooks my wealth of experience because I didn't go to school like they did, I don't want to work with them anyways.

I think the only thing I wish I had was a stronger work ethic, when I'm doing things I'd rather not be doing. I think university probably accustoms you to long hours of monotonous work.

Just so you know, I did college and was Pre-Vet. I couldn't handle putting animals to sleep so I moved my major to Business Management. Math and English were a huge help .. no question about it. After school, I got a sales job selling securty systems for ADT's biggest competitor. I kicked ass. I was the youngest employee to win the Presidents Award and Sales Rep of the Month.

My point is .. you are either born with the ability or not. You and I are both financially secure. We both are self employeed. We both run our lives the way we want and don't have to listen to someone telling us what to do. But I got to experience college in its full and you didn't. In my opinion, that gives me something great that you don't have. My kids will go to college if I have to force them to. I know they'll say thanks Dad when they are done.

Good topic

Most definitely it was a waste of time and money, in my experience.

I went back to college at 25 and took two years of computer graphic technical illustration - and we endured a month-long teacher's strike...and unqualified instructors in several courses who knew less than the students they were teaching.

I tossed out close to $20k total in tuition, books & supplies and housing - but was fortunate that I'd saved much of that prior to taking the course, so I had no debts after graduation.

But for the most part it was $20k down the shitter. Much of what I know and use today in my own company is stuff I learned prior and after college in the workplace. The course was long on theory...but short on real world practicalities - much of what they taught was already outdated or obsolete by the time the course ended.

You're assuming a lot of things in this post. Do you think that while you're in your 4 years of school as a teenager, that people who didn't go were working 100% of the time? What about the time you were studying, and writing, and listening, and attending classes, and being tired, and all that?

C'mon man, do you have any idea how many places I've been, how many road trips I've been on? I took a fucking Bus from Canada to Mexico City! I wouldn't have done that in University. I feel bad for you for not doing what I did. Those are the best years in your life to travel.

Lots of graduates get a YEAR if they're lucky after school before starting their careers. I'm 25 now and have essentially been free to do what I want since maybe 17?

Also what about all the college/university grads, who also can't get $35k a year jobs, and realistically can't see themselves paying back their student loans anytime soon, what is it, $50-80k now in the US?


AND

My kids will go to college if I have to force them to. I know they'll say thanks Dad when they are done. <------ BE A MAN, LET YOUR KIDS MAKE THEIR OWN DECISIONS. I guess they'll be straight, if you have to force them to?

for me it was a waste. i never went away to school, just community college for tool and die. at the time it was big in the area i was living in. but i hated it and realized i don't want to work in a factory. only went to school for a year and then started doing the webmaster thing. made over 100k my first year at 20 and never thought about school much after that. now all those factories where i would of been working have shut down and moved to the US/Mexico/China.

i was thinking of taking some classes to learn more about php mysql flash but i think i'd be better off just teaching myself. lots of information online.

For the college hoes, it's allways worth it.

You obviously don't know me. You feel bad for me since I didn't do what you did. You might want to check my resume. I've traveled the world and did it during my mid 20's. I think traveling in your mid 20's is way better than doing it at 18 or 19. I've been to Japan, China, Korea, Egypt 4 times, France and all kinds other various places. I got certified as a diver during college and have dove some great places. Once I was done with school, I took time to travel before I got serious. I didn't miss out on anything. I'm 31 now and done more than most people do in a lifetime. I didn't work and study all the time in school. I did have a job and I did study but I also had time to share in some crazy experiences. We used to go to Canada on the weekends to drink and get strippers since 18 was legal there. We would drive to other states for all kinds of reasons. When I went to school, I scheduled all my classes on the same 2 days. So I had to bust my ass on Tuesday through Thursday but always had 4 day weekends. Thats what I mean in doing college right.

And for all those people that you say graduate and can't find a job. Well what about all those people that got degrees and are now making over 100K a year? Some are business men/women some are doctors, lawyers, politicians or any other trade that you can only get by going to college?

As for the forcing my kids to go to college .. I wasn't being literal. My parents gave me freedom my whole life to make my own choices and of course I would do the same. I was just trying to emphasize how important I feel it is to go to college.

there is one other thing not mentioned in this thread.

that is, the life long friends you meet in college. Almost 10 years out, I am lucky enough to still be close with nearly everyone I was buddies with in college. No amount of money can replace these friendships

So true. I stil hang out with the friends I made in college. We are still a posse.

All in all ... I guess each person has to make their own choice. Some people get the most out of it and some don't. Some give it a try and some don't. Do whatever your heart and instinct tells you. But I do think everyone should give it a chance and then see if its right for them.

Univeristy of Toledo .... thanks for the memories.

nice thread by me hheheeh

Im still in college and frankly, i think im just wasting my time there cause i've been learning more by experience than what they teaches us there...im a part time stud too...

Good point, although just like high school buddies - after a while college acquaintances tend to thin out and lose touch. People change, some settle down and get married...spit out a few kids - priorities morph.

I kept frequent touch with a good buddy from college for about a decade, and then gradually our paths just diverged to the point we play email tag about once or twice a year. Haven't seen him in person now for almost five years. He got married, bought an expensive house that requires he work all his waking hours to pay for...has two kids, etc.

Meanwhile, my wife suspects his new wife doesn't appreciate that we're in the adult industry...and possibly dissuades him from associating with me.

(shrug)...

Adam, you are taking a very myopic stance on the college experience. A lot goes on outside of the Uni experience. There are tons of things I experienced that you never have and vice versa. I did college enough to know what it's about so I'm positive about this. Keggers, backpacking and hostels were never my thing anyway.

The rockstar lifestyle has always been what I enjoy. My professions plus my available time and money have let me do that. Never in million years could a college student do what I did. We're talking casino's in Vegas with fashion models at 18. Award shows, floor seats at Tyson fights and the like. Our social experiences have been totally different but equally worth all the same. I wouldn't trade mine for yours and hopefully you were happy enough with yours that you wouldn't trade yours for mine.

When it comes to friends, since we are the same age, you should know by now that you become just as close to people in your industry that you come up with from the bottom as you do college friends that you were splitting beer money with. Actually, you keep in contact with them a helluva lot more because you have more in common in your adult years.

Plus, and this is a big plus, college chicks always dig the guy living the life off campus a lot more than on. When I was 18 I was fucking em and sending them back to you just in time for 8am english 101, 201 301 and so on. I had to keep my doorman from letting them wait for me (damn stalkers) in the lobby. College chicks were always trying to seek refuge at my house. 2 times I have come home to find them waiting in my bed... I never let them in!!! They snuck in! On the scale of problems to have that ranks up there as a damn good one! LOL As far as I'm concerned I missed nothing.

All I'm saying is you must respect what other people say when it comes to thier lives. If their experiences made them happy you cannot argue yours was superior because it is an impossible fight to win. Socially life goes on in or out of college. My original post was strictly about business and that for me and others like me college was not necessary.

Senor Pornwolf - Good post and I do agree. I didn't mean to "compare" our lives. I agree each person has to make their own decisions based on their life and their path. For me, I got certain levels of educaition and an amazing social life from it. Back then, I could care less about where the girls came from. They were coming and then coming back over and over again so it was all good.

You do have to understand that your position was a rather unique one. I don't know any other kids at 18 that were doing what you were. Most kids at 18 wanna just party and have fun while trying to accomplish something and learn something. For most 18 year olds, college is a great way to do just that.

Allthough, I sure do wish I knew you when I was 18. With your lifestyle, I may have dropped out and partnered up with you. Sounds like you were having a blast doing it your way What exactly were you doing back then? How'd you get into it? I really would like to know a little more about your early years Sounds very interesting.

well worth it, would do it again without a doubt

Ah, mine isn't unique. I'll save the details for another day but I've known quite a few guys in my situation over the years. It kinda comes with the territory. Now that I think about it my pimp hand might be a bit stronger than usual but all and all everything else is fairly similar to some of the many other young guys doing what I do in various parts of the country especially in NY, LA and Miami.

I will say this, any kid that knows what he wants to do can start as early as 14. The key is knowing what they want to do then doing whatever they can to get on that path. Waiting for school to finish puts them behind the curve... unless they want to be a doctor, lawyer and so on.

i quit on 3rd year of English Language and Literature, and entered Business Management... it was definitely worth it, mostly due to social enviroment...

Shit..... Shit:.............. I Always Thought That Most Of The Gfy Guys And Xbiz Guys Were High School Guys Who Never Went To University... Damn!!! I Can't Belive How Many Here Went There... They Never Talk About It, And Suddenly You See Them All Here Saying They Have A Univ. Degree... Damn!!

now my question is how the fuck you kep working on the biz and still could study!!! WTF????????

Plenty of people who go to University become entrepreneurs, just because there are some classic examples of college dropouts becoming billionaires doesn't make it the rule.

The common problem with people in the adult industry is that they sacrifice an education and a college life for quick profits, thinking it's going to last forever. The majority are sorely mistaken at the very end. And whoever said it was right, if you go to a commuter school that's not really college, it's all about living in a college town or living on campus. I started doing full email marketing right before college, and stopped it for the most part just to go to college, and I don't regret it one bit. If you're smart, the money will be there after you're done.

Companies hire people with university degrees because they have proven that they went through the 4 + years of hell and succeeded. I think that is why most people want the degree and get hired in fields totally unrelated.

When I went, it was. Now that I'm going again, it's incredible. College is wasted on the young. Send them one year, let them get the "college experience", make them work for 10 years, THEN have them go back and get their degrees

it depends for everyone, for me personally it was a waste of money and most importantly, time.

definitely not a waste of time.

way back in college my mindset is just finish my chosen vocation then get a job after graduation - i did that . Sure the 4 years spent made me stronger, wiser, and would say smarter. also, it gives me better oppurtunies and sound judgement on various situations in my life so far.

for students out here - keep it up

For me University is total waste of money and time! I am still a student! But hte university life on y faculty is sucks! I am studying on Kiev National University of Economics, computer science faculty. The girls are not pretty on my faculty. it's more fum to study on finance faculty and others! So I would like to graduate it this year and forget about studing in this University!