Life is tough, especially when you're a college student. We go to school full-time, make minimum wage, which for most of us, goes towards living expenses and well, we're miserable. Why do most of us go to college? "Because I want to be a doctor/psychologist/lawyer." And why do you want to be that? "Because I want to help others." News flash! You're a liar. You want to be those things because you want to make good money, am I right? If it truly was because you wanted to help others, you'd be a fireman or a policeman like you originally intended. But why don't we do that? Because the pay isn't as good.
Life runs on money. We work at places like McDonald's and Target because we need to get by, not because we have a keen interest in fast food and retail. Unless you do, than good for you! Why do we allow ourselves to be miserable? Money is a necessity, this is true, but allow me to give you my example:
I want to make some insane 3D designs for a videogame/film company. I want to learn everything there is to learn about software like MAYA. I want to draw until my hand falls off and I want to learn everything there is to learn about what it takes to make a great video game and an animated movie. So what am I doing working as a sales associate at JCP? What am I learning other than how to suck up to corporate and society? Nothing. Why waste my time getting harassed by a supervisor who calls me a terrible example of an employee, when I could be doing something amazing? I could be drawing a masterpiece, writing a masterpiece, studying for the classes I'm learning something from, or for the first time in a long time RELAXING even. I'll tell you why. Because I, like many other people my age, need money.
Well I've finally opened my eyes. I called off work today because I needed a break. And then after I called off, I logged into my associate kiosk and put in my two weeks. Because money, as necessary as it is, means absolutely nothing. I would rather spend my winter break focusing on how I could improve my skills in things I WANT to know, rather than wasting an entire day to bad customer service.
Many of you do not know this, but I am writing a book, and a good one too. I haven't touched it since the summer thanks to work and school. Well, you can bet that progress will be made and even though I'll be poor through December, I'll be happier than I've been in months. I'll be satisfied with what I've accomplished and I will have pride in all that I do on my break.
So here's my final advice to you. Don't go to school because you have to, go to school because you WANT to. Don't settle for a crummy job you hate, rather, strive to get a job in something where you feel you are actually getting something in return! Don't be the average Joe your parents want you to be, just do what you want and gain knowledge, as much knowledge as you can! (Knowledge that holds value to you, anyway. If you couldn’t care less about how to fix a sink, then don't learn how!)
Life isn't about making money and raising a family. It's about being happy and doing good to yourself as well as others. That being said, I wish all you stressed college students luck out there. Strive for happiness and have fun.