Re:dropping out of College
can you take classes part-time instead of full time?
Re:dropping out of College
college is way overrated! to me it's just a piece of paper, if you play your cards right you could retire a millionaire by the time your 30 from dancing
Re:dropping out of College
Yes, in my opinion. You have to have something else other than this world. I am speaking from 18 years of experience. Please stay in school. Even if you just take one class at a time. This world is not conducive to a happy life. Education is. If stripping is the only thing that you have going in your life, I am going to feel very sad for you, and I think you will too. I used to be "just a stripper." Then I started into school, now I have three degrees and am starting graduate school this fall. I make more $$ now than I ever have because I am not just a dumb stripper. I can hold a conversation instead of just sitting there and looking pretty. Life is not all about the club. Better yourself so that you don't have to be in this environment if you don't choose too. I am releived that you are not into the partying scene. Stay sober, stay in school and use this time to the best of your advantage! Dallas
Re:dropping out of College
Exactly- just cut down your work load. I'm in kind of a similar situation- I've recently dropped my classes cause it was just too much w/ that, school, and having 3 babies! It was hard to balance it all- right now we really need to make money to move, once we're settled then I'll slowly get back into it- but I've already decided that once I finish my degree I'm still going to dance until I cant no more- cause dancing is what I love doing. I'm not ready for a 9-5 job in an office- not till my kids are much older. I figure for now, my husband can go to school while I rake in the dough. I wouldn't be worried- how old are you? I'm sure you're young and have plenty of time. Just take a couple classes per semester. And dont worry about being a "statistic" everyone is unique and has their own unique situations. Good luck w/ whatever you decide, take care :)
Re:dropping out of College
I think dropping out or taking a break from school is ok. But you should definately only leave in good academic standing. Don't withdraw if you're on academic probation.
Re:dropping out of College
Quote:
I think dropping out or taking a break from school is ok. But you should definately only leave in good academic standing. Don't withdraw if you're on academic probation.
I basically agree, providing that the girl considering taking a hiatus from pursuing a college degree has the determination and self-discipline to approach dancing as a serious career. The situation is somewhat analogous to a college athlete facing the choice of earning major bucks from a serious but probably short-lived pro sports career, versus passing up several years of prime earnings potential in order to obtain a college degree which may or may not make a difference in later life earnings potential.
As long as the person has the dedication to really work at the pro sports or dancing career, and has the discipline to save a large portion of their earnings during the peak earning years, there's no reason that they can't return and complete their college degree after they reach say age 30 and are ready (or forced) to retire from pro sports or dancing with 1/2 million dollars in the bank.
Re:dropping out of College
ok....to kind of add to what Melonie said....
don't drop the stripping if you're successful at it (and with 2 G's a week, I'd say you certainly are) because, right now, a college degree isn't worth what it used to be. I just graduated Magna Cum Laude from the top state school in NY and I can't get a job ANYWHERE. I'm running out of money REALLY fast and it's an AWFUL situation to be in. I have rent to pay, I need to buy a car, my poor dog has no food!!! Trust me, no one's going "Oh you have a degree? Great! Come work for us and earn a bunch of money!" But, like Mel said, take it SERIOUSLY--don't slack off--because THAT will get you into trouble. However, I still say it's in your best interests to take a class or two and continue with your education part-time.
Re:dropping out of College
What I'd personally do is concentrate on the dancing, save and invest the money you make dancing then go back to school in a couple of years time.
Work for your money (dancing) and then let the money work for you (investing). College degrees etc are all great and fine however if you find (as I have) that you want to be your own person and have money work for you... you won't find financial literacy in schools.
Dance.. increase your financial literacy whilst you are saving a whole chunck of your dollars.. then invest so when you go back to school you won't have to worry about living costs because your investments are helping you pay them for you.
Re:dropping out of College
I have heard many say that they were sorry they dropped out of school and many that they were glad they didn't and many that they were glad they went back, but it is pretty hard to find someone in, say, their 40s or 50s or beyond who will tell you how glad they are that they dropped out and never finished school. You can draw your own conclusions.
-Ww
Re:dropping out of College
I *highly* recommend taking the original angle SCGirl suggested, which is to flip down to a part-time school at the very least.
If you are only working 3-4 shifts a week, you should still be VERY capable of a full-time school schedule, even at a state University level. I know dozens that manage this but it IS taxing and requires the complete removal of anything that even resembles a social life aside from work, school, studying and homework.
The part time answer is much more sane and compatible for most people. I cannot stress enough how important a degree is, and I disagree that it doesn't mean anything any more. Maybe in some regions, but at least out here a woman with a good 4-year or better degree can find herself on the bottom of a bigger tech company, sales, business, marketing, or other professional industries which can lead to regular ladder climbing if you're eager, savvy and hungry.
You are becoming used to a certain level of quality of life from a bracket of income... the single most important thing you can do now is start working on backup plans should your primary career faulter or something happen to you that puts it out of reach for a multitude of reasons. Whether this be investing, creating side careers or getting that degree, it's the most wise choice.
There are LOTS of part-time universities with good graduate plans and fairly flexible scheduling. My advice to you is to get that degree out of the way as early as possible and put it behind you. You're already 2nd year, so you're already half there. You can do the rest somewhere else.
Re:dropping out of College
I understand your situation, I dropped out to work more hours at a crummy job for that job's $$$, before I started dancing and then got into better money. You're lucky to be doing so well financially- why don't you sock some away in savings so you can take a few full time semesters in the future without having to work? I am against people working AND going to school full-time at the same time- my mom got deathly sick from wearing herself out that way, and a co-worker of mine fell asleep behind the wheel and wrecked her car because she was so worn out from lack of sleep, too much homework, school, commuting...it put her behind.
"You can have it all, just not all at once."
Re:dropping out of College
^^^AGREED!!! I just finished my last semester and I was taking 16 credit hours (4 four-credit classes) and working between 20 and 30 hours a week. I swear to god I almost DIED! It was awful!!! If you can avoid doing it, please do!
Re:dropping out of College
Another aspect to look at is - what if you get totally sick of dancing within the next year or so? When I finished my bachelors I was making great money dancing so I thought, why get a job, I am just going to keep dancing! Well, not too long after that, 9-11 happened, the economy took a nose dive, and I was making half (if even) of what I was making before. When you aren't making such great money all of a sudden the job isn't so much fun. Thank goodness I had finished my degree (yes, I had thoughts of dropping out as well - school isn't easy!) so when I got completely sick of dancing I went back for my grad degree. Now I dance for extra money and it is low stress and fun for me again. My last 2 semester of my undergrad I went part-time so it took me an extra year to graduate, but at least I did it! Whatever you decide, kudos to you for taking the initiative to find out all the different angles. Good luck!
Re:dropping out of College
You shouldn't be in no hurry to finish your degree since you do make great money dancing. I suggest you take classes part-time, maybe your grades will improve with a lesser academic load. Good luck :great:
Re:dropping out of College
Life is best when you have choices!!
Keep your options open by staying in school. I hate to recommend even part-time, but if you are dead set on that, it is better than dropping out.
The choice you make right now will affect the options from which you can choose later. Don't close that door on your future. Stay in school and get your degree, even if it is slowly. When you are done with school, you can choose whether you want to dance or get a professional job, but give yourself that choice. You will really appreciate it a few years later when you might want to make that choice again, and still can.
Re:dropping out of College
Don't drop out. Take part time classes. A degree is so important. Yes, you are making good money, however, a degree will go much farther.. take it one class at a time like everyone else has suggested.
On a side note: in regards to Darkness' statement about retiring by age 30 and being a millionaire... I purchased my first home free and clear after Three years of dancing, however, take into consideration that just because the money is good, doesn't always mean that life is more fun. Education will last a lifetime, money comes and goes. Invest in yourself.
Re:dropping out of College
OK so the majority of people are saying stay in school but she's doing shitty academic wise. So shitty she's not allowed to continue in her major. I'm guessing she'll be on academic probation by next semester. It's hard to excel when your priorities have changed and you're focused elsewhere.
I was placed on academic probation for a semester. I went from a 3.3 to a 1.7(?) in one semester. I refocused, brought my gpa back up to an acceptable level and when I was taken off probation I then decided to leave school for a bit. Now I'm back. ;D
Whether you stay in school or leave school, that's up to you. But I think the worst decision you could make would be to leave school on bad terms.
Re:dropping out of College
well....from what I got, she's doing poorly because she just can't handle it all at once, so, just taking one class at a time and focusing on that instead of three or four (or more) would ease things up. Hopefully, that would allow her to bring her grades back up. But I totally hear ya Saph.
Re:dropping out of College
yeah I reread her post and now that I think about it, I was originally getting booted out of my major. Yeah, my grades plummeted and they wanted me to leave. I had to appeal, write a letter to the dean to explain the extenuating circumstances. A meeting followed and it was THEN they placed me on probation for the following semester (I wonder if my waterfall of tears played a part?) Once I completed that semester I was then in good standing but I knew I needed a break so then I took it. I am so glad I didn't fuck everything off completely because now I'm trying to finish (no, now I AM finishing :) )
Like Brooke said, life is best when you have choices and if you allow yourself to get booted out of school, then you're really limiting your choices later on.
Re:dropping out of College
Personaly I think you might be making a mistake hun but that is just me. Then ofcourse I am not making 2 gs a week! LOL. But I am in school right now and I find it gives me a lot to look forward to. I know when I am done with my Medical Assisting degree I will always have a job waiting for me and if all strip clubs become brothels I will have a job with decent pay. For me though school is alot more than that I really love what I am studing in school and am actually seriously considering going on for my R.N. degree because I seriously LOVE the medical field and being an R.N for a living would give me a great sense of pride. I am not saying I don't love dancing I LOVE DANCING! I want to continue dancing until I am about 30 and dance untill my body won't let me anymore. But if you are unhappy in school right now mabey you just have not found something that has interested you yet. Mabey you need some more time to search your interests first. Remember though the longer you wait to school the harder it becomes to get the motivation to go back. I think it is just better to get it done with as early as possible. But many people are not sure what they like that early. So I say keep dancing and save your money! Or you could find you will be waiting tables untill old age without any education and no investments. SCARY!!