Advice needed

[mAdMaLuDaWg]

Hello TechIMO (I always wanted to say that ),
Well, I'm sort of in a dilemma.... ok, so here's the story:
I have a regular 9-5 job. I also goto college fulltime,ie,13-15 credits a semester (IOW, I have no life ).
But I've always wanted to learn the art of game development. As it is, right now, I don't have any time at all to put into this dream of mine. It requires a lot of time and effort, its not something that could be picked up in seconds (and yes, I've loaded up full time over the summer too), and I want to maintain my high GPA. I've tried cramming it in my busy schedule here and there, but the next time I go back to it, I start at square one all over again coz it usually is that long when I get a chance to go back to it.
I'm taking up a full load at college because I figure the sooner I get done with college, the better. But right now, I don't think its a good idea to put off what I dream to do.
So I'm thinking of taking a lesser amount of courses at college next semester, I'm even thinking of taking a break from college for a semester.
So I would like advice on what to do... should I just put my dreams on hold for now and slog it through, ie, continue college at the pace I'm going now, or should I take a lesser amount of courses? Or even better, should I take a break from college for a semester? although I've heard its really hard to go back once you stop going..

Advice appreciate in advance .

[shawshank62]

Or even better, should I take a break from college for a semester? although I've heard its really hard to go back once you stop going..

Ive known people who "take a break" from college, and they never got back arond to finishing it up. Pretty much screwed em up....i would say get college done, you have the rest of your life to make Half Life 3

[Target]

I'd vote for doing them both by taking fewer classes in college, without abandoning it altogether (even if its only for a semester).
Working a full-time job, and taking full-time classes is pretty stressful, and will leave you very little time if any for a personal/recreational life. That is if you intend to do both a good job at work and at school.

While the standard expectation of many is that an individual should finish college in four years, I think that for some it is both unrealistic and un-necessary.

I think you could strike a balance here without seriously impeading your scholastic progress. Take one fewer class and use that time to explore game development to see if its something you really do want to explore further. If it is, then you can decide how to best fit it and your college ambitions into your life.

[Sweet]

Stay in school! Stay in school! Stay in school! You'll never lose your dreams!!!! good luck!

[Knothead]

I agree, Malu, stay focused.

I think it is quite admirable that you are doing what you're doing as it is. If your dream is a good one, don't worry, it won't go away. It will haunt you and drive you crazy day and NIGHT, UNTIL...UNTIL....

Ahem. Anyway...You're doing fine, buddy!

[mAdMaLuDaWg]

Originally posted by Target


While the standard expectation of many is that an individual should finish college in four years, I think that for some it is both unrealistic and un-necessary.

That is exactly what my parents/guardians expect me to do. There is an immense amount of pressure from them to get done with college as soon as I can, which is partly why I'm taking all these classes...
guess its part of the culture I come from... first comes your education, then comes your life

I'm probally going to end up taking fewer classes without telling my folks... the question that I face now is:How many?.. something that I'm gonna have to figure out myself. I just don't want to be really old and still be in college... you waste a lot of time and money that way....

Thanks for the comments all... I really appreicate 'em.

[Chuckiechan]

Trust me, after you graduate and start working you are going to go home and go: "Wow, no homework!" Only beer, girls, and TV, (and of course, Techimo)....

Then you will have the time...all of the time you need!

[shawshank62]

not to mention, the longer you stay in college the more money you give to them. Its a business....

[mAdMaLuDaWg]

Originally posted by Chuckiechan
Trust me, after you graduate and start working you are going to go home and go: "Wow, no homework!" Only beer, girls, and TV, (and of course, Techimo)....

Then you will have the time...all of the time you need!

I dream of that day every single night ! I really don't like college education... don't see any point in it other than earning a degree and getting a better salary at work.

[ShawnD1]

Originally posted by mAdMaLuDaWg
I really don't like college education... don't see any point in it other than earning a degree and getting a better salary at work.

That is the most ironic statement I have ever seen. The ENTIRE point of university is to earn a degree and get a better sallary yet you claim you don't see any point in it .

I have a few friends who went to university and they absolutely hated it the entire time. At least 4 hours of homework every single day, even on weekends, and the work was very difficult most of the time.
University isn't supposed to be fun or anything, they make it a pain in the butt to cut out the losers, to separate the quitters from the doers.