Ways to Avoid Getting a Degree (Any Degree)

[LaterBloomer]

Sigh, Ryoder is writing about how he's finishing his 12th bachelor's degree, and 3rd master's, and I'm still working (?) on my AA/AS/ADT (Any Darn Thing). I think I hate him.

I was close to applying to COSC, but didn't. Had I, all I would have had to do was take the Cornerstone class, and I'd have had an AS. Did I do that? Of course not. Heck, I've been avoiding getting a degree for decades, why would I mess up such a track record? My delay pattern causes me to determine that what I REALLY need/want/whatever is a BSBA - Gen. Mgt. degree from TESC. Of course, this would entail taking math. (I hate math only a little bit more than I hate Ryoder.) So, add a NEW delaying tactic. I'll sign up for ALEKS. Hey, you say, there are ways of making ALEKS go fast, just search and you'll find LOADS of good advice on this forum. Hello? Have you been reading this rambling rant? I'm trying to AVOID progressing. So, I tell myself that NOW is the time to rectify the trauma I suffered from due to a REALLY bad teacher in 6th grade. HIS sexist leanings caused him to refuse to help girls in trouble. (See how it's all his fault? Don't you DARE comment that this was DECADES ago, and that I could have gotten over it, or learned math. This is my pity party, okay?) (Oh, and that's math trouble, not the other kind. Get your mind out of the gutter.) What do I do to rectify this trauma? I sign up for ALEKS and start with first grade (or whatever is their lowest grade) of math. After a week or so, I've discovered that I AM smarter than a 5th grader, but not by much. I'll be starting MS 3 today!!! By the time I get to PreCalc, or Stats, I'll be so burned out with math that I'll need to find another plan. Hmmm... I wonder (wander) what EC requires. Maybe Mandarin.:imwithstupid:

[bawhitsett]

This literally made me LOL.

On a side note, for those seriously stuck in such a mode where you don't know what you want to major in or do when you grow up, having a degree in anything is better than not having one, so if nothing else just identify a path that can get you over the finish line and hit it. You may not ever use it, but then again you never know when it will come in handy.

Good luck LB.

[cookderosa]

You have such a good sense of humor! If you are ever forced into eventually finishing a degree, there's always grad school. It's harder, since it only requires about 10 classes, but avoidance is possible with concerted effort. Not to brag, but I've enrolled/dropped 7 times now (considering an 8th for January), so, it CAN be done. milelol:

[ShotoJuku]

We all get side-tracked or even derailed, however your engine (and caboose) are still chugging along and you will reach your degree destination stop sooner than later; you just need some more coal in the engine furnace Choo-Choo!!

[burbuja0512]

ROFLMAO... tooo funny.

Don't feel bad about not having a degree yet. Other than the incredibly smart homeschool kids on the forum, most of us are here because it took us years of failure before we actually were able to get a degree.. even Ryoder didn't follow a traditional path to a degree.

After being a major disappointment to my high school friends back in the early 90's when I decided to go to community college rather than State U with everyone else, then disappointing everyone again when I dropped out of college and moved to Mexico.. then trying to pick up the learning baton several more times over the years, I FINALLY got my BS completed just a few short days before my 35th birthday. Yes it is better late than never. YOU CAN DO IT!!!

I do have one comment though about those of us who manage to make it through most of our professional life without a degree. I almost felt a little bit afraid of getting the diploma. Not having a degree is a nice excuse to have. "I didn't get that job because I don't have a diploma." or "I can't apply for the job of my dreams because I'm not qualified."

Do you know what I mean? It's so nice to have the convenient excuse of NOT having a degree because then you don't have to feel bad when you get rejected. After all, it's not your fault.. you have everything except the degree.

..Anyhow, not to say that this is something that might be slowing you down, but I wanted to mention it just in case it might be a factor.

And also don't feel bad if your progress feels slower than other people. Slow and steady wins the race and just keep moving in the right direction. You will get there eventually.

P.S. If you really hate math, get the Biz degree from COSC. Yes you have to do a Cornerstone and a Capstone, but you'll be totally fine without statistics OR pre-calc. Just the College Math CLEP will suffice. And yes, I was also the victim of the "girls aren't good at math" thing... lol except it was my mom telling me that. Luckily I've found out that even though I strongly dislike math, I can actually do it when I want to.

[mrs.b]

I loved this post! I can definitely relate, and think I'll print the thread and post it on the cork board above my desk for a laugh when I start feeling alone in the "why do I keep putting this off?" trend.

A handful of years ago (we need not give numbers, right?) I quit with just one class left toward earning my AS-Accounting. When I returned, instead of taking that one class, I decided to tack on an extra 60 credits for the BSBA double-major HROM/Operations Mgmt. Makes sense, right? One class to finish an Assoc was a burden before, so tacking on a Bachelors in two majors (not one, like those people who practice common sense would do) in a different focus is definitely the way to go.

Don't feel bad! You're not the only one that does it.

[ryoder]

I feel honored to be the thorn in your side

This is not easy for any of us. Some things come easier for others. Take my HR class for example. This class kicked my butt and now I'm in statistics and worry that I may actually get a C+ or B-.

Of course the computer classes are a total breeze because I have silicon in my blood (not silicone, I am a man).

Set reasonable goals for each day and hold yourself to them. You can do whatever you really want to do. Its all about focus.

You should see the weeds in my little landscaping area in front of the house. Atrocious. But I have completed a few graduate courses in the past few months so its ok.

The secret is to focus. To close off everything else and focus on one single task at a time. This requires a choice. To do one thing is to chose not to do another. Kind of obvious but you have to choose to get your degree. That may mean choosing not to watch TV, go to the movies with your wife, go to a birthday party, watch football, stay late at work etc.

I really think this forum is helpful and harmful too. Don't spend too much time here or on facebook or any of the other distractions holding you back from your degree.

Good luck. And I am only working on my second bachelors and an MBA. Not my 13th. I'm not quite sure what my 13th would be anyway

[NAP]

Hi!

First, I want to say that I have really enjoyed the contributions and humor that you have added to this forum! You always make me laugh.

I had no idea that you were struggling to make progress with school. I hope that somebody has been able to share something with you that clicks you into Go-For-It-mode.

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The following is not meant to further side-track you or delay getting higher degrees! If it will, then just ignore this thought.

I realize it was a joke, but if you are ever interested in looking at the AS at EC, we could do that. Since you have most of the requirements completed for a COSC Associate degree, I would be surprised if you haven’t finished an AS at EC already, too, with the possible exception of Info Lit and depending on your English credit.

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It is an amazing feeling to see your own name on a college diploma that you earned. You deserve to give yourself that gift!

[skybirds]

Snooki hates school and is successful

[LaterBloomer]

Skybirds, You're just mean. Effective, but mean. As a result of your post, I just signed up for five courses with Penn Foster. (Okay, I was going to do it anyway, but your post made me glad that I did.)

Burbuja, You obviously ignored the "NO TRESPASSING" sign on my psyche. Not having a degree has worked as a darn fine excuse for why I am not ruling the world. (That, and some weight I have to lose.)

Bawhitsett, Cookderosa, Shotojuku thank you for your support. (FYI, I respond better to kick-in-the a$$ support like Skybirds'.)

Sigh, Ryoder, I can focus on chocolate. I can focus on Mark Harmon. (Isn't he lucky we're aging together? With my bad vision, he's as cute as he ever was.) I can focus on historical romances. If I could focus on anything meaningful, I would be ruling the world. (Yes, you may all breath a sigh of relief that my ADD has precluded THAT.)

NAP "I realize it was a joke, but if you are ever interested in looking at the AS at EC, we could do that. Since you have most of the requirements completed for a COSC Associate degree, I would be surprised if you haven’t finished an AS at EC already, too, with the possible exception of Info Lit and depending on your English credit." Really? REALLY? Get thee behind me Satan. I do NOT need another way to avoid getting a degree.

mrs. b, Don't encourage me. I'll just keep coming back.