Post: #1

I have been over come with the urge to run away. I have no money and need to finish my degree. But I'm thinking should I use this time to try and build a mobile business, or go for the career -> low expenses -> save up -> travel route?

Any suggestions?

Post: #2

Are you currently working toward your degree, and if so, how long will it take you to finish?

Post: #3

(02-18-2012 11:08 AM)Smitty Wrote:  Are you currently working toward your degree, and if so, how long will it take you to finish?

Yep. I finish in June 2014.

Post: #4

You'll get a lot of differing opinions on this one, but when I was your age, I went through the same exact thought process. I decided to get into a business AND go to school full time. I don't regret it, but it was hard, hard work and I missed out on a lot of fun in my early 20s. I had no choice back then because i was on my own and had to earn money, but if you have any type of financial support now (parents) then I recommend you finish your degree. The degree is only what you make of it, but it very well can be the foundation from which the rest of your life is built. Even if you never use it again, like me, it will be a minimum for opening doors. I make so much more money now than I thought I would in my 30s, and it certainly would not have been possible without having a degree.

If you're smart (combination of textbook, street, and life), then you'll always be able to make money -- regardless of a degree. But if you're only 18, you may as well grind it out for the next 2 1/2 years and use this time to work on building the foundation for your new business and life. Good luck.

Post: #5

I finished my degree then decided to travel. I highley suggest finishing it first as there is no way I would go back to school now if I never finished before. Something about really traveling just makes stuff like finishing a degree seem minuscule in importance to self indulgance. Its only 2 more yrs and you will have the rest of your life to figure sht out.

Post: #6

Thanks for the advice guys. Entrepreneurship has always appealed to me, but I worried that without a head start of knowing how to operate a business while at uni I wouldn't be able to cut it in the real world.

Post: #7

(02-18-2012 11:43 AM)dulst Wrote:  Thanks for the advice guys. Entrepreneurship has always appealed to me, but I worried that without a head start of knowing how to operate a business while at uni I wouldn't be able to cut it in the real world.

Start a biz while you are in school.

Post: #8

What do you study?

Post: #9

(02-18-2012 11:08 AM)dulst Wrote:  

(02-18-2012 11:08 AM)Smitty Wrote:  Are you currently working toward your degree, and if so, how long will it take you to finish?

Yep. I finish in June 2014.

Arg, tough one. I'd say keep finishing your degree, find a halftime job while you do this and start saving money. When you've saved enough, you can run a way for a few months/weeks during college vacations.

Rinse and repeat.

Post: #10

(02-18-2012 12:38 PM)mofo Wrote:  What do you study?

Theoretical Physics.

Post: #11

(02-18-2012 12:51 PM)dulst Wrote:  

(02-18-2012 12:38 PM)mofo Wrote:  What do you study?

Theoretical Physics.

Interesting subject. Are you really passionate about it?

Post: #12

(02-18-2012 12:58 PM)mofo Wrote:  

(02-18-2012 12:51 PM)dulst Wrote:  

(02-18-2012 12:38 PM)mofo Wrote:  What do you study?

Theoretical Physics.

Interesting subject. Are you really passionate about it?

Short answer: no.

Long answer:

There are two types of physics students. The first kind is what I'd call a "physics fan". The closest mainstream approximation to this is the cast of big bang theory.

The second type are people with whom you'd have no idea what they studied unless they told you.

I'm in the second group. As an aside: studying physics and not being socially awkward is great contrast game.

People in the first group tend to stay in academia, or work in research. The latter tend to go into computing, finance and other "unrelated" fields.

I'm not passionate about physics, but I am passionate about the skills I learn from it. Namely (so far) maths, problem solving, explaining complicated ideas in a simple way and analysing data.

I picked the subject because it's interesting, and I wanted the skills it would teach me. My passion goes into music and writing.

Post: #13

(02-18-2012 11:00 AM)dulst Wrote:  I have been over come with the urge to run away. I have no money and need to finish my degree. But I'm thinking should I use this time to try and build a mobile business, or go for the career -> low expenses -> save up -> travel route?

Any suggestions?

It says you're an 18 your old british guy so I got two ideas for you:

1) Join a Navy. However, NOT THE BRITISH NAVY. Figure out how to get into the Spanish or French Navy. Both those are classy beyond belief, trust me I know. You'll see the world and they probably got programs like the US Navy does for student loans and school. Their ships are like cruise liners. Girls love Navy guys in uniform, again just trust me. Whatever you do though, don't join the British Navy unless you want an advanced course in how to be a pussy. Those are sorry fucks led by Sir Elton John or you can take orders from the iron lady on the HMS pinafore. They're a bunch of damn fags.

2) Go to Mainland USA and be a train hopping hobo. You're only 18 so you gotta get some on the street type experience. You need some stories to tell later on.

Thats what I got for you.

Aloha!

Post: #14

(02-18-2012 01:12 PM)dulst Wrote:  I picked the subject because it's interesting, and I wanted the skills it would teach me. My passion goes into music and writing.

I was about to pull your ear on this.

As far as I remember, you had a band, right?

How does that fit in your scheme of things?

I am sure that the things you are most passionate about should play a big part in this wider "life scheme" you are trying to sort out.

Prioritize and think about how far would you go to fulfill your passions.

England is such a fertile ground for bands, such a varied music scene... I'm sure you're bound to get some travelling gigs if you put your mind to it.

Just consider you deeper passions when thinking about these decisions you are onto now.

Post: #15

Can they grant you the option to defer for one year? If you had one year free for any project, what you would do? Would your business idea require capital, and how would you plan to get your hands on that?

Would it be so intolerable to just continue with your degree? Mack on girls in your spare time, enjoy the lifestyle. Be eclectic with your studies and add subjects that don't dovetail with your major, just because you have an interest.

Look into Erasmus / study abroad kind of thing, too.

Post: #16

(02-18-2012 03:30 PM)Amour Fou Wrote:  

(02-18-2012 01:12 PM)dulst Wrote:  I picked the subject because it's interesting, and I wanted the skills it would teach me. My passion goes into music and writing.

I was about to pull your ear on this.

As far as I remember, you had a band, right?

How does that fit in your scheme of things?

I am sure that the things you are most passionate about should play a big part in this wider "life scheme" you are trying to sort out.

Prioritize and think about how far would you go to fulfill your passions.

England is such a fertile ground for bands, such a varied music scene... I'm sure you're bound to get some travelling gigs if you put your mind to it.

Just consider you deeper passions when thinking about these decisions you are onto now.

Yeah I am in a band, IMO a good one. Although you're right about the UK is a fertile ground for bands, the industry is absolutely saturated. Being good isn't enough any more, you need to find a niche. The problem is doing this without being weird.

It is possible though. Most bands that seem to properly blow up, as opposed to being "one hit wonders" are bands that entirely reject the music industry model.

Their niche is in the delivery, which means the quality of the content isn't damaged.

^ Can anyone add to that because I'm going to pitch this idea to my band, in an effort to get them out of the whole "we need a record label" mindset.

Post: #17

I know these thoughts, but it's just impulsiveness and a desire for instant gratification.

Which school you go to?

If possible, up your grades, then transfer to a better school.

1. Push yourself HARD to to get a First. Once you have it on paper you were a straight A-student, you open a lot of doors with a lot less effort.

2. Oxford and Cambridge you're off school 28 weeks a year. That is IDEAL for a young player. I think other top-notch British schools are like this, too. If you're not at one of these, get straight As then transfer. I had a buddy who did a four-year course at Oxford called Philosophy and Physics. Sounded awesome!

3. Start making money on the side, however possible. Become a bartender in London. Terrific way to get street smarts, friends and to get laid. You might have to start as a bar-back since you are quite young, but the sooner you start, the sooner you can enjoy real benefits. Or start your own biz.

4. As a student, you are flexible in a way guys with full-time jobs are not! Use the extra time to get buff and into great shape. Plan your diets, eat like a monster, and get huge. Then hit up Brighton/London in the summer.

5. Take it easy, relax. I'm positive this wouldn't bother you if you were getting laid regularly by a hottie you really liked. In 2014 You'll only be 21 and have a BSc. in Physics! Dude, that is waaaaaaaaay better than most guys on this forum or most men in the world. If you made the most of your time as well... you'll be way ahead. WAY ahead.

6. So, start working on yourself and everytime you get an urge to do something impulsive that means buring bridges, or throwing away a major investment... think twice. Remember also - "non scholae sed vitae". You dont go to Uni to get a specific job or career. Real scholars go to uni because learning is fun for its own sake, not because they want to make millions afterwards. Learning should be exciting and fun - and it sounds like you enjoy phsyics. Stick to it. Millions of tools choose business administration or finance because they think they need to in order to land a job at Goldmann Sachs to slave away 110 hours a week. Don't be a tool. You enjoy physics, then stick to it! When you're 21, youll be more than ready to get pratical. In the meantime, have fun with life, get into shape, and learn game.

Post: #18

(02-19-2012 03:29 PM)ElJefe Wrote:  I know these thoughts, but it's just impulsiveness and a desire for instant gratification.

Which school you go to?

If possible, up your grades, then transfer to a better school.

1. Push yourself HARD to to get a First. Once you have it on paper you were a straight A-student, you open a lot of doors with a lot less effort.

2. Oxford and Cambridge you're off school 28 weeks a year. That is IDEAL for a young player. I think other top-notch British schools are like this, too. If you're not at one of these, get straight As then transfer. I had a buddy who did a four-year course at Oxford called Philosophy and Physics. Sounded awesome!

3. Start making money on the side, however possible. Become a bartender in London. Terrific way to get street smarts, friends and to get laid. You might have to start as a bar-back since you are quite young, but the sooner you start, the sooner you can enjoy real benefits. Or start your own biz.

4. As a student, you are flexible in a way guys with full-time jobs are not! Use the extra time to get buff and into great shape. Plan your diets, eat like a monster, and get huge. Then hit up Brighton/London in the summer.

5. Take it easy, relax. I'm positive this wouldn't bother you if you were getting laid regularly by a hottie you really liked. In 2014 You'll only be 21 and have a BSc. in Physics! Dude, that is waaaaaaaaay better than most guys on this forum or most men in the world. If you made the most of your time as well... you'll be way ahead. WAY ahead.

6. So, start working on yourself and everytime you get an urge to do something impulsive that means buring bridges, or throwing away a major investment... think twice. Remember also - "non scholae sed vitae". You dont go to Uni to get a specific job or career. Real scholars go to uni because learning is fun for its own sake, not because they want to make millions afterwards. Learning should be exciting and fun - and it sounds like you enjoy phsyics. Stick to it. Millions of tools choose business administration or finance because they think they need to in order to land a job at Goldmann Sachs to slave away 110 hours a week. Don't be a tool. You enjoy physics, then stick to it! When you're 21, youll be more than ready to get pratical. In the meantime, have fun with life, get into shape, and learn game.

I go to Sussex, which is one of the best Unis for Physics here. People have rejected oxford/cambridge to study physics here.

Thanks for the insight though man

Post: #19

(02-18-2012 12:19 PM)thegmanifesto Wrote:  

(02-18-2012 11:43 AM)dulst Wrote:  Thanks for the advice guys. Entrepreneurship has always appealed to me, but I worried that without a head start of knowing how to operate a business while at uni I wouldn't be able to cut it in the real world.

Start a biz while you are in school.

Exactly.

You can build up a decent side income while still in school.

Post: #20

(02-19-2012 07:28 PM)dulst Wrote:  

(02-19-2012 03:29 PM)ElJefe Wrote:  I know these thoughts, but it's just impulsiveness and a desire for instant gratification.

Which school you go to?

If possible, up your grades, then transfer to a better school.

1. Push yourself HARD to to get a First. Once you have it on paper you were a straight A-student, you open a lot of doors with a lot less effort.

2. Oxford and Cambridge you're off school 28 weeks a year. That is IDEAL for a young player. I think other top-notch British schools are like this, too. If you're not at one of these, get straight As then transfer. I had a buddy who did a four-year course at Oxford called Philosophy and Physics. Sounded awesome!

3. Start making money on the side, however possible. Become a bartender in London. Terrific way to get street smarts, friends and to get laid. You might have to start as a bar-back since you are quite young, but the sooner you start, the sooner you can enjoy real benefits. Or start your own biz.

4. As a student, you are flexible in a way guys with full-time jobs are not! Use the extra time to get buff and into great shape. Plan your diets, eat like a monster, and get huge. Then hit up Brighton/London in the summer.

5. Take it easy, relax. I'm positive this wouldn't bother you if you were getting laid regularly by a hottie you really liked. In 2014 You'll only be 21 and have a BSc. in Physics! Dude, that is waaaaaaaaay better than most guys on this forum or most men in the world. If you made the most of your time as well... you'll be way ahead. WAY ahead.

6. So, start working on yourself and everytime you get an urge to do something impulsive that means buring bridges, or throwing away a major investment... think twice. Remember also - "non scholae sed vitae". You dont go to Uni to get a specific job or career. Real scholars go to uni because learning is fun for its own sake, not because they want to make millions afterwards. Learning should be exciting and fun - and it sounds like you enjoy phsyics. Stick to it. Millions of tools choose business administration or finance because they think they need to in order to land a job at Goldmann Sachs to slave away 110 hours a week. Don't be a tool. You enjoy physics, then stick to it! When you're 21, youll be more than ready to get pratical. In the meantime, have fun with life, get into shape, and learn game.

I go to Sussex, which is one of the best Unis for Physics here. People have rejected oxford/cambridge to study physics here.

Thanks for the insight though man

My pleasure. Keep us posted.