My Advice for Potential College Students

I've been spending a good amount of time lately really analyzing my college experience. Now that I've completely finished, and finished up grad school too, and am stuck out in big people world looking for jobs, I have to ask myself, "Was college a good decision?"

Now, before I go any farther, I want to say that in my case I think college was a good thing. I met Yellowhed there, I grew exponentially there, I met some amazing friends, and I got the opportunity to study what I love. I honestly don't think I would have been happy knowing that I hadn't gone as well.

I look around at all of the guys that I graduated with though, and all that they've gone through, and it begins to make me wonder about the investment value of school. Every other week I end up with another intern working under my wing who has absolutely no clue what they're gonna do once they graduate.

Some of them have a general idea, I mean they know what they like to do, but they have no idea what they're going to do in their field that's gonna pay the bills.

I started off personal training, and though I absolutely loved it, it barely put bread on the table. Plus, when you add the fact that anybody can get a personal training certification any weekend of the year, you have to come to the realization that you're a bit in the hole if you went to college to be a personal trainer the rest of your life.

Anyways, the point I'm trying to get to is that if you're considering college, yes you want to study something that you enjoy. 

If you're going to spend the next 50+ years of your life working, you might as well do something you enjoy. Most kids considering college have already thought about this.

However, you also probably want to study a subject that is going to let you live where you love.

You may absolutely love what you're studying, but if your heart breaks to think of leaving your hometown, you need to make sure that what you're studying will allow you to live wherever you want.

A dentist, a doctor, a carpenter, IT guy, welder, plumber, teacher, financial advisor, accountant, lawyer, nurse, electrician, and other positions can pretty much throw a dart at a map and find a place to work. They are in high demand.

Why?

Because they're not only incredibly practical, but just about everybody needs them. Not everybody needs a kinesiologist. Not everybody needs a musician. Not everybody needs a outdoor survival expert.

There may be jobs in those fields, but if they're all up in Alaska, are you willing to relocate? That's the problem a lot of my friends have faced with exercise science. Sure, there's jobs, but odds are they're going to be 600 miles from everybody you know and love.

Choose something that gives you location flexibility.

So, let's say that you do end up finding a subject you enjoy, and it will allow you to live where you want. Are there any other factors to consider?

Absolutely. My final bit of advice to potential college students would be to study something that is going to let you live the way that you want. 

You may absolutely love playing your xylophone, and have a college degree in it, but is it going to pay the bills? I've found that a lot of college grads are surprised when the real world slaps them upside the head. They've been living with mom and dad for so long that they've never really had to pay their own way. Once they do have to, they're daunted by how much of their paycheck goes to bills.

Money is a vital part of life, like it or not. If you're going to have a family someday, odds are that you're going to want to take them on vacation. Odds are that you're going to want to help out with their education. Odds are that you're going to want to give them cool birthday gifts. You may want your wife to stay at home.

If this is the case, then you are going to need a degree that gives you a good return on investment. No, money most certainly isn't everything.

My dad always said to choose something you love, and learn to live off of that. I think that that's true, but I also think that if studying Plato is what really gets you going, then you need to have some sort of way to keep the lights on as well.

Anybody Else?

Am I the only one out there who gets self-conscious walking around Walmart with the 36 pack of toilet paper?

"Hello. I poop A LOT."

Only Amnesiacs Think Kids Are Innocent

I got the opportunity to stay with my family this past New Year's for a few days while work was closed down. While there I got the opportunity to hear a story from my little sister that had somehow remained a secret from me for years.

Apparently, one day in 4th grade, my little sister reeeeeeeelly had to use the bathroom. She asked the teacher, but the teacher said she needed to wait.

She peed her pants.

Then her classmates began to point and chant, "Pee pee head! Pee pee head!"

She cried.

Her best friend was in the class with her though, and was quick to tell my sister, "Don't worry, Wibby. You're not a pee pee head."

How to Hit 180 BPM

*me, sound asleep with the house to myself as my wife is working 3rd shift. It's late at night.*

CLAP

Me - HUH?! Something must have fallen downstairs. Sounds like it was in the kitchen.

CLAP

Me - Nope. That's not a coincidence. That sounded like it was at the base of the stairs.

CLAP CLAP CLAP

Me - Holy smokes! IT'S COMING UP THE STAIRS!

CLAPCLAPCLAPCLAPCLAPCLAP

Me - SOMEONE'S OUTSIDE MY DOOR!

*grab shotgun*

I HOPE YOU LIKE THE TASTE OF LEAD, SUCKERS!!!

CLAPCLAPCLAP BOOOOM

Me - Oh wait. Those are fireworks. It's New Year's Eve. That's right. Whew.

Some kid must have grabbed a Roman candle and gone running around the apartment complex.