I've been thinking a lot lately...

[JTalley]

Tomorrow is the last day of school. I have a bunch of friends that are graduating this year, planning to go get their degrees, and going to this college or that town because their future plans depend on it...

I have no idea what I want with my life. I don't know where I'm going. I can't afford college, and I'm not smart or talented enough to get a scholarship. Sometimes it just feels like time is going by so fast, and I'm not accomplishing anything. I'm struggling to even make a good enough grade to graduate.

I don't want to be like someone I know who is about 40 and still lives with her mom. I know her because one of my friends is her son. His future plan is to stay where he is, living with his grandma. And yes, he's graduating this year.

I don't want that. I want to go out into the world and make something of myself. I can build boats and stuff, but that kind of stuff doesn't sell very well. Sure, in the "City of Springs," as Sulphur is called, I might have good spring and summer business, but what about fall and winter? Right now I'm hoping to be able to get a summer job so that I can save up to buy a lot and trailer and move into the local trailer park. It's just... I don't know. I feel like I'm hopeless, and I don't want to be the guy you see with the nasty full beard holding out a tin can next to a restaurant.

I just need advice or something... I don't know. Maybe every teenager goes through this, but I'm already a junior- a senior next year. I should know where I'm going!

[justice]

you still have another year right? Start looking into your local community colleges. they are much less expensive than the big Unis and you can get a degree in two years. And most of the time you can transfer credits to a 4 year college should you decide to continue your education.

Look into federal student aid (FASFA) as well.

[astroturf]

Join the Army.

[doyoulikeithere]

geeze im still not sure where im going most of the time.

Alls I can say is we all get to the end eventually.
So while your 'on the way' try to enjoy as much as you can because you only get one ride, dont spend it stressed out or frustrated or worse.
Just try to aim at the things you get enjoyment out of.

If you like the idea of saluting and getting ordered around by the war machine, giver!
If you like, join the Truth movement and educate yourself about the unseen dangers that face us.

[JTalley]

If you like the idea of saluting and getting ordered around by the war machine, giver!

I dunno about that... I really don't like the idea of sitting in a ditch with bombs going off and severed limbs flying about.

If you like, join the Truth movement and educate yourself about the unseen dangers that face us.

What's that? I can't say I've ever heard of it before.

[Cobra]

Join the Army.

that might not be that bad of an idea i don't know anything about the US military but i know the Canadian military will train you in different fields like medical, communications, mechanical and so on depending what you wish to specialize in but after you serve your time learning and working for your country you could come out ahead assuming you make it that far [-o<

[doyoulikeithere]

but after you serve your time learning and working for your country you could come out ahead assuming you make it that far [-o<

By not making it that far, probably means reaching 'The End' , if your in the military.
The truth movement is people who no longer believe the lies that the main stream media, and many in positions of great power have been feeding us.
Basically, 'Truthers' are people who woke up and saw the 'the real facts & truth' about 911 and many other things that have been happening since long before, and still continuing long after, to this very day.

The fact that you haven't heard of it shows how effectively the propaganda has been played out in the US of A. Other counties are far more likely to invite inteligent conversation about military grade thermite used to take down building 7 at the WTC site, leaving huge pools of molten iron at the base , hot for weeks afterwards, 2 aircraft & lottsa bodies that were never seen or recovered from phony plane crash at pentagon and Shanksville, and a little hole in the pentagon that was just simply too small for the 757 that we were all told hit it.

Its all BS that you are expected to believe is the cause for the illegal wars the USA is waging!

[1Gary]

I could go on and on about what is going to happen to you in the future and how bad things are going to get if you don't further your education.That includes skilled trades or a degree program.But the very best advise I can offer given the nature of a web site and honestly not really knowing you,is make a appointment with you school's student counselor to talk about how you are feeling and let them help you.

[JTalley]

I'm thinking about going to Murray State. I just don't know what I want to major in. I was interested in psychology my freshman year, but now it just doesn't sound like a good idea.

I guess I'll have to talk to some friends of mine and see what they have to say. There's one person I can think of right now who might have some good advice in this area. I guess I'll have to give her a call and see what she has to say.

[CaptSquid]

Join the Army.

OH! NO! Join the NAVY. If you join the Army, you have to know what you want to do. If you join the Navy, you can shop around and try them out before committing. Besides, you'll REALLY see the World if you join the Navy. And, you won't have to sleep in the mud and eat out of plastic envelopes or carry your world on your back.

[LiftedAWDAstro]

Do you like to build things? Do you like to work with your hands or with your mind? What about joining a union as an apprentice? They pay you to learn on the job and the more you learn, the more you get paid. You may have to travel out of the local area for work but that wouldn't be too bad until you decide to settle down. What about looking at the military options? You could do the air force, army, navy, marines or even the coast guard. Once again, you get paid (and free room and board) to learn and you also get the GI bill to use after your enlistment to pay for college.

For this summer, look for construction work as it gives you experience and a paycheck. You could work for a landscaper as well.

Whatever you do, tell yourself and the person interviewing you, that you can learn to do anything put before you! DON'T EVER have the attitude that you can't do the task! With the proper attitude going into a situation like a college or job interview, you have 100 times better chance of getting the chance!

[WoodButcher]

I could go on and on about what is going to happen to you in the future and how bad things are going to get if you don't further your education.That includes skilled trades or a degree program.But the very best advise I can offer given the nature of a web site and honestly not really knowing you,is make a appointment with you school's student counselor to talk about how you are feeling and let them help you.

There's a good bit of advice,,,,

Don't allow concerns of the future overwhelm you, you know tommorrow is coming, do what you can to make it better or easier but don't forget about today. The ride there is half the fun.
Good luck

[VanGoGo]

Australia has a ritual called the "walkabout", where a young person takes time to go out and see some of the world before they settle into a career or family. America seems to direct the youth right into college/career path, (or often times a family will 'happen') at a young age. This may cause 'regrets' when you are a little older, not-so-free, and have some unfulfilled adventures in your soul. A key to a happy life is not having regrets about things you wished you had done. Live your dreams, question the definition of sucess and find what makes you happy. Life does pass by quickly~

[thegreenmachine]

I can say i felt the same way when i was your age. I noticed the days go faster. I remember hhow painful it was to wait for friday. but 10 years and a couple kids later, time, well, fly's.
it was last week to me that my daughter was born, and Astroturf was sending me stickers for the van! now? its almost a year later, i have sold a safari van, bought another safari van, then crashed that van, and then bought another one!
but anyway, truth is kid, no one knows where their going, but everyone eventually gets there. do what you want what you enjoy, and what makes you happy (until you have kids, then do what makes you money!!!)
Life does have a way of figuring itself out.

to quote a kids tv show my friend rabbit.
its not where we're going, its how we're going to get there. (especially in your van)

[astroturf]

Well put Green, Well put.

Jim