What Did It Get You?

[Chebasaz]

I'll second what Linda said with a healthy dose of what you've probably heard from your teachers and parents already - This is one of the most important times of your life. It's not just about the knowledge that you're getting, but also the habits that you're allowing to form. Will they be good habits that will help you in the future, or will they be bad habits that you'll need to get rid of later on?

In answer to your questions:

1. What did it get you?

It gave me options, which to my way of thinking is one of the most important things there is. Getting your degree will open doors that would otherwise be shut. Being able to choose whether or not you walk through those doors is much better than not being given the choice at all.

2. You spend all you're life learning and what happens?

You lead a richer and fuller life than you would have otherwise. In my personal opinion, you should never stop learning. This goes back to those habits I was talking about earlier. If you 'learn' to enjoy learning, it will continue to help you all of your life. There is so much knowledge out there that you will never know it all, but every bit you pick up will help shape you as a person. How sad it would be to stop learning once you reach a certain age!

3. What do you have today that you really appreciate and are glad you studied for?

Are we talking specific subjects? I really enjoyed Astronomy though I don't use it for my actual job. I like not only being able to understand how the universe works, but also because it provides a certain perspective. We're very small in the grand scheme of things. Helps keep me humble.

4. Was it worth it?
5. How long did it take you and why?
6. Was it worth the time?

Yes, because of the before-mentioned options and also the sense of personal accomplishment. It took me a little under two years because I was working close to 60+ hours a week. I consider it time well spent even with my insane job requirements.

7. Were you worried about the time?
8. Or did you go at completing your degree at your own pace?

I wasn't worried about a deadline if that's what you are asking. It was more of a personal goal to be done by the second year.

9. Did you have a lot of counseling?

I lurked a lot on these forums. It's great for that.

10. Did that help or not?

Of course. Things are always easier when you have someone to help you along. In the end, it's still up to you though. Whether or not you cross the finish line is up to nobody else. Goes back to those habits...

11. Did you study what you hated to do what you love?

I don't know anybody who loves every single subject they're forced to study for a degree. There are just going to be some classes/exams that you need to push through.

Final thoughts -

I have many friends that I grew up with who are hating life now, simply because they didn't take the time to do what they knew they needed to. It's never too late to change your lot in life, but it gets much harder later on. A little bit of suffering now goes a long way to not working at the Burger Barn for the next 20 years.

Keep at it. You'll thank yourself later on.