Twelve years

[loinburger]

No plans? Don't worry about it. My plans went down the toilet when I graduated college, so I did the next best thing and drove to Montana. Give it a try -- nothing like a long drive to Montana with nothing in the car but a single Beatles tape to help you get your **** together. Don't have a car? Take a train. Already live in Montana? Drive to North Carolina. Whatever. Worrying about everything isn't going to help you in the long run or the short run.

[Sirotnikov]

Hey, I've almost finished highschool myself.

I still have several final exams to do, but school is over with (except for classes the teachers are so kind to give to make repetitions for the final exams) and I am not obliged to come anymore.

I had a blast in Highschool. I wasn't the crazyiest most fun loving guy, but I had my share of fun and friends and booze and girls. I'm happy I'll have nice things to look back to.


I think there are many ways to change the world. Become a teacher or a professor in any subject. You will have huge impact on people's lives. Seriously.

You can (if you have the guts) go to politics.

Otherwise you can go on to be a researcher in science, and change people's lives in every aspect. From designing new incredible machines (exact sciences), to changing their world view (social sciences) to whatever you choose.

Even if you choose an applied profession, your service and your achievements will surely affect people's lives, and that will do much to create a better world.

All you have to do is keep your target in mind, and practice it in daily life.

[Sirotnikov]

Btw, in the same time I'm also nervous of stepping out to the real world.

Of course I don't go in the "Real World" yet, I'm going to the army first - but that is even more unique and challenging in a way (though it is a safe "system").

I'm a bit nervous, getting used to being free, and at the same time having responsability and having to "do" stuff - be active.

I won't have to go anywhere like I did with school, but I'll need to. That's quite a change.

I'm very hopefull though, and expect the best

[Japher]

Saving the world and reforming society is a waste of time. It just ain't worth it. Find something you love to do and figure out how to make that a career... Earn lots of money, retire rich...

I remember when I got out of HS and everything was so surreal. Then in college everything became a blur , and that was good. Then, I woke up one day and realized how lost I was, still... I had seen my friends go on to be effective members of society, and there I was bitting my thumbs. I have changed, but the real cultural shock of it all caused me to lose lofty goals such as yours.

Don't get me wrong. I still have goals, but they are more in the 4-8 year time range. Also, they aren't saving the world or changing society. Yet, still, if I continue towards each smaller goal one day I might.

My advice, don't waste anytime while your young. Foolish ways have there place, of course, but also work hards to long term goals. I'd say your first goal is to figure out what you want to do and get a degree in that. You might find this harder to do than it seems. Yet, you have two years in community college to figure out what degree you want. Then once you begin working on your degree, decide how it is you want to apply it to society, and begin working on that...

I think being a happy member of society will take you far, make you successful, and make you happy.

[Lorizael]

What if I don't want money or success? What if your definition of far isn't the same as mine? What if I also only have two interests, both of which are exceedingly difficult to survive on? (the first being the one I've already mentioned, the second being writing)

Btw, you might tell me to expand my horizons as far as my interests go, but it was actually a conscious decision of mine to narrow them down. Most things in this society I find to be frivolous and unimportant. I don't particurlarly want to take part in them, because they are a waste of time and energy.

Siro - the army, whoa. That's required in Israel, isn't it? I'm definetely still living with my parents.

[loinburger]

The thing is that drastically narrowing your interests is essentially the same thing as making a 30-year-plan.

[Lorizael]

Well then someone needs to convince me that there is a possible profession or career that is more fulfilling than creating a utopia. Any job I could have would invariably effect a rather small and finite number of people, whereas "saving the world" gets everyone.

The problem is that I'm rather nihilistic when it comes to philosophy. Because of this I don't really see the point in any of things that society offers me.

I understand that I am human, however, and that if I want to live a happy life (happiness feels good) then I need some sort of goal, something to achieve. So as a human, I view humanity as being my responsibility.

Writing is also one of those things that feels good, and it can make an impact (dissemination of knowledge). If I didn't think my writing was worth anything, I probably would have lost interest in that as well.

[Odin]

Here is my plan after I graduate next year.

Enrole in local state university, Minnesota State University of Moorhead (Moorhead is Fargo, ND's little sister on the MN side of the Red River, nice town.

Study for a B.S. in Life Science Teaching

Go to University of Minnesota at St. Paul

Get a Ph.D. in Evolutionary Biology

Teach Biology at a University and do some research.


I am interested in Political Science too, maby I should choose it as a minor.

[Japher]

I got my degree in Chem. E. mainly because it seemed like the hardest degree in the world to me at the time, and I figured if I could do that then I could do anything.

I struggled, but I got the degree. Now I am a Chem. E., kind of seems like I got in a rut right now. I mean, do I want to be a Chem. E.? I don't know it pays the bills, but I got the degree to do anything. Not just that one thing.

Thus, I have constructed my 5 year plan (actually put in place 2 years ago). I will get a MBA and/or MS, in which I need to be enrolled within those 5 years (got 3 left). Seems simple enough, but I tell you, going back to school while holding a job and having a family is not the first thing on my mind. Yet, if I get that advanced degree I would be able to advance within my career further, or I might just decide to do something completely different. That I will decide on after the next 3 years. First, I need to get into a position so that I can go back to school without making everything and everyone else suffer for me doing so.

Another good thing... work will pay for the schooling

It is good to have plans, something to work for, but it is also good to remain open to other options (this does not mean expand your horizons). Also, sometimes, life surprises you, and throws you a bone.

[loinburger]

Originally posted by Lorizael
Well then someone needs to convince me that there is a possible profession or career that is more fulfilling than creating a utopia.

That's not the point. There's nothing wrong with setting extremely idealistic goals, so long as you implement those goals in a realistic (you might call it "cynical") manner. The simple fact of the matter is that creating a utopia is difficult if not impossible, so if the only way for you to be fulfilled is to create a utopia then in all likelihood you're setting yourself up for a fall. However, if you pursue your pie-in-the-sky idealistic goals in a realistic-***-cynical manner, then when all is said and done you might not end up saving the world but you can still have a fulfilling life. It's basically the difference between, e.g., saying "My music is going to change the world!", and falling into a deep depression when it turns out that nobody likes your music, and saying "My music is going to change the world, or at the very least it will make me more attractive to chicks," and getting laid despite the fact that nobody likes your music. (You don't need to be a good musician in order to be attractive to the ladies, though it may help to be a rich musician...)