Need some different opinions on a decision of mine.

First off, I am 18 years old and am in my first year at university. I absolutely hate university. Not because I can't handle the work hold, but because I hate what I'm learning and the way the whole system works. I have had this thought in the back of my mind that college wasn't for me for years and now here I am... In college. The past few months of seriously considering it, I finally decided I wanted to drop out after this semester.

With that being said, during my years in high school I discovered my love for everything online. Not necessarily gaming and such, but things like web development, ecommerce, social media marketing, and basically everything you can think of that can be done online in the business sense. I spent most of my high school building start ups and websites that have done very successful. Some of which had days where they earned 4-figures+ a day occasionally.

Since I've come to college I had to cease running a bunch of my businesses and focus on university. Which really doesn't make sense to me because I hate university and loved my businesses. When I was running those businesses I was learning more about things like branding and promotion than most college students will ever know (in my opinion).

Basically, I want to get some input from more people. I am only 18 and I know many people on Sythe are more knowledgeable through experience in the topic.

What do you all think?

 

Why do something you don't enjoy?

Don't let society's expectations force you to continue on with university. When you're older, you'll definitely regret it.

Personally, I'd rather make half the money and be happy, rather than make twice the money and hate my life.

Good luck man.

 

I think you should do what you enjoy, not what people expect you to do. I wholeheartedly support your decision and wish you best of luck with what you decide to next in life.

 

Definitely that, but you'll want to make sure you cover yourself incase your business goes South. Maybe you don't go to school fulltime; however, you take a couple classes here and there so that you slowly get a degree in the area of your interest. Keep in mind, at 18, you're likely taking general education classes that do not apply to your major whatsoever. Myself, I am an accountant major and am taking only one of 4 classes that even remotely applies to my major: business statistics. Point being, definitely follow what you're wanting to do, provided that you can make enough to sustain life. But have a backup plan, just incase.

 

Why don't you do what DW has suggest and take on the degree as something part-time? Maybe 2 papers throughout the course of the year? If your degree is business commerce, why don't you choose to major in eCommerce or Marketing? If that's what you really want to do? This will show your employer (or potential employer) that you are dedicated to taking that up as a future career path and thus will result in a higher chance of grasping the job you desire, that is, if you are not taking an entrepreneurial approach to it all.

 

In response to your replies: Since I am only 18 going back to college within the next few years isn't out of the question. I have saved most of what I have earned in the past and if say a year goes by and things aren't going as expected it wouldn't hurt to go back. It's just in this scenario the path where I go off and do my own shit for a while out weighs the one where I lose a year trying to do my own shit.

 

That's fair game. I'm 22 years old and just only recently started university. I travelled the world and finished an apprenticeship prior to attending and I don't regret one moment of it.

 

Beautiful man, traveling is a dream of mine I hope to fulfill. Just a half year or so of traveling would be an amazing experience.

 

I would never recommend against it man. Save a couple of dollars and get out there! Or even better yet, you should apply for temporary work visas in another country and you don't need to save as much as this allows you to work while you travel! Some food for thought.

 

What are you going to Uni to get a degree in? Probably drop whatever degree you are working for and shoot for one you'd moreso like such as e-commerce business

 

The thing is I've been working in e-commerce business for a year now and honestly I think by the time im in this business for 2-3 years I'm going to know twice as much as any e-commerce business major.

 

Either learn to do both or don't complain when you have to pick one or the other.

You can always just hire help for the businesses from a friend or family (a random if you feel safe would work fine too) and focus on uni after things have stabilized.

 

In no way am I complaining here. I'm just explaining my situation and the decision I am taking. While asking for feedback from people with good input. Read the whole thread before replying next time.

 

Will "half the money" pay your rent? Feed your kids? Fund your retirement? Pay your medical bills? Hard to be happy when you're stressed about making ends meet and constant pressure from your parents/significant others to do something with your life and credit card interest piling up.

Sure in a Disney movie you can "chase your dreams" and do what you love. But the harsh reality is that not everyone can (i.e starving musicians, actors waiting tables, check out my mixtape, etc).

I was a freshman/sophomore in college was when my botting/goldflipping business really started taking off. I would blow off studying and skip class to make a few extra bucks staying online. In my peak, I was raking in over $5k/month, $60k/year is a salary most people would be content with, especially at age 18-20. The trade-off? Girlfriends leaving me because all I do is "play games", grades tanking because I didn't focus on school, lost internship opportunities since I prioritized Runescape. In the grand scheme of things, making a quick buck is great, but don't let it offset the bigger picture (career, retirement, family, etc.)

I know it's probably not what you want to hear, but spend your time in school wisely, find a good balance. It's hard to dig yourself out of the hole that is a low GPA and no work experience, trust me I had to do it.

If you don't see yourself cashing in on your major, change it. Visit your academic calender and fill out a couple forms to start something new. There are tons of things you can study in school, find something that interests you and go for it. There are plenty of real world jobs that utilize the internet as a means of making money and your stepping stone is a degree.

EDIT TLDR: Stay in school, find something that interests you and go for it, don't shy away from making money online but don't let it get in the way of the bigger picture.

 

The sooner you change out of the major you don't enjoy the better. My first year of university I took an intro to computer science class as an elective and enjoyed it so much that I changed my program to computer science (from commerce). Haven't regretted it one bit.

 

I personally look at it this way.. College/University and grades in general, are great for getting a job working for someone else. However, if you have the knack for creating your own success then grades are a mere pointless attribute to add to yourself.

Success & Power far outweigh grades. If you're capable of creating your own job, then I'd suggest using every ounce of energy chasing that dream. As it's clear you want your own business and not to work for someone else.

 

I'd suggest taking a gap year, I did this year. It was the best thing that I ever did. I felt like I was ready for University but long story short I wasn't. I worked a lot this year maintaining a decent income but the greatest achievement for me this year was that I was happy, I had money to spend (that I earnt) and was free to do what I pleased. I've matured so much over the last 12 months since I decided to quit University, I'm going to go back to it next year and I would recommend this to you as I feel it's a great idea.

 

I would suggest going to a community college (way cheaper also) for your Associates degree and then transfer to a uni after you found yourself the right path. I take computer programming classes online and enjoy it a lot and it makes you more motivated once you start learning what you want to learn.