Should I quit studying?

*Accidentally removed my message. Damn. I don't feel like typing the whole thing again so I'll keep it short:

I'm 22 years old and I'm a freshman at what's internationally known as the best Dutch university. Our system of high school is different from the US and is separated into different levels. You need the highest high school diploma to study at university level and many people look up to those who do.

To be honest I'm only studying in order to receive a good diploma and to secure a good job in the future. However, I don't think I need the diploma. I believe that if I focus my mind on making money, read good books, acquire knowledge from these forums, that I can make a decent income and live my dream. My "dream" is simply to be free: to maybe work 20 hours a week, read, write and travel.

Should I just go for it?

Cons:
- I'll be stuck with 5K extra student debt which would otherwise be cleared if I received a diploma
- I can no longer travel the country for free throughout the week
- I no longer receive around 150 euros for "free" each month (muh socialism)
- I'll have no degree whatsoever
- Risk of failing in building an income online and being forced to work a shitty job

Pros:
- I'll be stress-free. I can read the books I want to read, and write whenever I feel like it, without being molded by society
- The time I'd otherwise spend on studying I can now use to focus on making money online
- I can basically do what serves me the most: reading and writing, meditating, working out

I still live with my parents so I'm not forced to get a job whatsoever. I have some money on the side which will last me a while. Should I quit studying, build up an income online and just do what I love?

How long does the course last?
How much money are you currently making?

Forget the idea of getting a degree for a job, get the degree for YOU.
Until you leave home you are not living in the real world anyway.

Just my opinion.

$5k student debt and you're at a top university? Lucky.

I would stay in school, it's cheap for you, and it sounds like you're in a good school. The social experience of college will help you out too.


You can always try to make money online while you're in college too.

Thanks for the reply. The course lasts three to four years and most people get a Masters afterwards which is one year. So I'll definitely be studying for another four years. My major is International Studies (focused on history, power structures, wars, international conflicts and more). These topics really interest me but at the same time I feel like I'm being molded to a particular set of beliefs.

Right now I don't work, so I live off student grant and a loan.

Edit: Reoman I think you're right, it would be best to continue studying and try to make money on the side.

W130SN said:

Forget the idea of getting a degree for a job, get the degree for YOU.

Click to expand...

This.

Get your degree, get a solid job and gain experience in your industry for a year or two, while developing your IM skills on the side. Then when you think you're ready, make the switch.

It only gets harder trying to go back to school later on, if that is what you want to do. I don't know foreign education systems, but is there any way you can speed it up with AP (Advanced Placement) CLEP, Dante, etc... equivalent testing from your system? For example say you knew American History well enough and could breeze through it, they offer an exam for credit. Pay the fee, get a certain minimum grade and you pass.

The best bet maybe looking into time management. That way you can get what you need done and have some wiggle room for work and or leisure without losing your mind.

Do it. Although my situation is different, it's very important to have a college degree. No matter what you have to do, just complete it. It's worth nothing if you give up now and plus you have absolutely nothing to show for it. And it could potentially harm you one day when going for a job. Best of luck to you.

Sully1975 I could certainly take more classes per semester in order to speed the process, yes. It's definitely something I'll consider.

I think you guys are right, I should continue studying and just spend some time on IM on the side. There's always time to delve into IM but the laws recently changed and if I quit studying now, I lose the privileges of the grant and would be drowned in debt even more if I decide to start studying again.

Thanks for the advice.

The college degree is your exit strategy. If you fail in IM, then you go to a job related to what you've stuedied.

If you are not making any money right now with IM, then you most probably shoundn't quit.

Also dont trust strangers on a forum to decide your future.

No friend, trust me i graduated college and people are looking you in different way . They respect you as a successfull man no matter if you don't have a work or anything similar.

Internet work will never disappear trust me if you know how to make money on internet then you are a smart guy which need college as a cover for yourself.

Don't quit it no matter how hard is it going to be

2DHades I haven't actually began IM so therefore I'm not making any money yet, lol. You're right though.

Thanks t3choo, I agree. I won't give up.

Never quit study man even if your are making 5 to 6 figures online.
You can also work in IM even if you are studying like me just work hard.

It sounds like you are not currently making anything online. Is that correct? If so, I'd say stay in school. There are plenty of things you can be doing online to make money that can be done in your free time while also being a student. Then if you start to make a decent amount you can either dropout or stick it out until graduation and then do IM full time.

To me it sounds overambitious to drop out now and pursue IM. Yes, some of the most successful entrepreneurs did that, but most of them already had their specific idea, innovation, or invention. There are way too many people I hear of that drop everything they have going for them to pursue "the riches of IM" only to find out that after they threw away the life they had, they couldn't make a dime in IM.

I think you should stay with your college degree for the time being, unless you find absolutely useless in the future. Start doing the IM side of your career as soon as possible. I wish I had started 10 years ago. Those times were somewhat easier to make money from what I gather. Search engines and a lot of companies have become stricter with internet marketers. A lot of people spammed the hell out of websites and sold thousands of recycled crap on amazon for example. Ebay was also a lot better I believe.

Never quit your daily business (or study) to chase big money dreams and freedom. Start with IM on the side, and when you make more per month than what you would have with a full time job, you can always consider going IM fulltime.

Also, your aquired diploma will be a good backup when you fail in pursuing your dream.

I would say that keep studding as it will help you progress in the future but thats just me

Just as sully said earlier, its hard to go back after you've quit. I got a couple of AA degrees and stopped going to college. I tried doing the whole web design route. It didn't work out and then i was left behind in my studies and now completing again those students with higher education for the same jobs.

im now 28 and just starting to go back to school for my BA degree. I hate everyday that passes that i didn't stay in school for it as i would have already been done. Nothing is guaranteed in life, so having that fall back of the degree is great to have.

If you have a backup plan and you think you'll stick through then why not ?

However,your cons outweigh your pros. I would get my degree if I were you.

Oh dear. You've never made a single cent on the internet? Then don't quit.
Look I'm in the same situation though I already have a BA and part of a Master's degree. I'm studying again because I can't find a job.