Daniel_Burfoot comments on Open Thread: November 2009 - Less Wrong

3 [deleted] 02 November 2009 01:18AM

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Comment author: Daniel_Burfoot 04 November 2009 03:09:01PM 8 points [-]

I think you should ask yourself this: if you drop out, what realistically are you going to do with your time? If you don't have a very good answer to that question, stay where you are.

View university in the same way as you would view a long lap-swimming workout. Boring as hell, maybe, but you'll be better off and feel better when you're done. Sure, you could skip your pool workout and go do something Really Important, but most people skip their workouts and then go watch TV instead.

Comment author: DanArmak 04 November 2009 03:17:57PM 5 points [-]

Suppose you have an idea or desire for something to do instead of university. You should create a gradual, reversible transition. For instance if you want to work and earn some money, find a job first (telling them you've dropped out), work for a couple of weeks, make sure you like it, and only then actually drop out. Or if you want to study alone at home, start doing it for 10 hours every week, then 20, drop just one or two classes to free the time, and when you see it's working out, go all out.

Comment author: Desrtopa 31 March 2011 09:47:47PM 0 points [-]

This may not be convenient if working for a couple weeks requires time you'll only have if you drop out. If you end up not wanting to drop out after all, you can't necessarily afford to miss the classes.