So, Raz is thinking about going back to School

[Admiral Yi]

I conditionally agree with Mono.

If you can afford the expense of college and want to go to for fun or to improve your mental state, I'd consider all the other things you could do with that money. If college still seems like the most fun/best option, then go for it. I can't imagine it is though.

3 credit hours at a CC is gonna cost, what, $600 maybe?  That's a lot of entertainment and therapy for $600.

[Admiral Yi]

Another good option IMO would be an intro Spanish class.

[CountDeMoney]

3 credit hours at a CC is gonna cost, what, $600 maybe?  That's a lot of entertainment and therapy for $600.

I was thumbing through my Mom's copy of the local Community college catalog, they're offering non-credit, shortened classes on everything from Gettysburg to Microsoft Office to cooking these days.  Hell, Dad's registered for 6 evening sessions on digital photography for the Nikon D40.  All those little buttons must do something.

[Razgovory]

I conditionally agree with Mono.

If you can afford the expense of college and want to go to for fun or to improve your mental state, I'd consider all the other things you could do with that money. If college still seems like the most fun/best option, then go for it. I can't imagine it is though.

3 credit hours at a CC is gonna cost, what, $600 maybe?  That's a lot of entertainment and therapy for $600.

That's fairly close to like four visits with a Psychologist.

[Norgy]

I was thinking a creative writing or a literature class.  American novel, something like that.

You're writing a movie script about this, aren't you? 

[LaCroix]

raz is in a terrible financial situation and very likely won't ever have another job in his life. certainly not a normal job, at least. so, college is a pointless expense to him. he wants to learn? library card. through his own research, raz will learn far more than he ever would in a classroom environment. just look at history majors. by and large, they don't know shit about history

having a professor present is useful to improve writing, but raz's post doesn't indicate that's what he's really interested in. so, he'd be paying to have a professor explain reading material that he probably could figure out himself, so he's better off cutting out that $500-3000 middleman. especially in his case where he doesn't have hundreds of dollars to pile up and set on fire

[CountDeMoney]

I think you're being to touchy-feely on this one, LaCroix.  Maybe you should be more direct.

[LaCroix]

I think you're being to touchy-feely on this one, LaCroix.  Maybe you should be more direct.

i mean, really. with how godawful raz has said of his situation, time and again, people really should not be encouraging college. i'm pro-college for 99% of the time. but this clearly is not a good idea

[Caliga]

I guess it depends on Raz's ultimate goal.  If the goal is indeed to get a job, then I would say he should probably pursue something unskilled and easy first (like a cashier someplace).  If he can't handle that because he just can't hack working, then getting a college degree won't change it.

Either way best of luck to you, Raz.

[grumbler]

I think you're being to touchy-feely on this one, LaCroix.  Maybe you should be more direct.

i mean, really. with how godawful raz has said of his situation, time and again, people really should not be encouraging college. i'm pro-college for 99% of the time. but this clearly is not a good idea

I think you are over-analyzing this.  If Raz is in what accept as a "godawful" situation, then changes are to be encouraged.  A summer course, or even a degree, might not be financially justifiable, but it lets Raz get back into a familiar pattern that still requires him to interact with people, and it allows him to be successful in an endeavor that obviously has meaning to him.  Financial aid might also be available, but I think a summer course at a CC is probably a good investment even if it doesn't work out.  In the latter case, at least Raz will not have to wonder if he should be trying school again.  That's worth $600 right there.

[The Brain]

If he needs mental health he should get a job (I suppose he's too old for the military). Surely there's some part time volunteer jobs that could serve the same toedipping purpose.

If he wants to learn moar stuff then he should hit the books. No need to stupid educate.

[alfred russel]

I think you are over-analyzing this.  If Raz is in what accept as a "godawful" situation, then changes are to be encouraged.  A summer course, or even a degree, might not be financially justifiable, but it lets Raz get back into a familiar pattern that still requires him to interact with people, and it allows him to be successful in an endeavor that obviously has meaning to him.  Financial aid might also be available, but I think a summer course at a CC is probably a good investment even if it doesn't work out.  In the latter case, at least Raz will not have to wonder if he should be trying school again.  That's worth $600 right there.

The cost of 1 course may be $600, but most people end up purchasing them in groups. Assuming he plans to take a few courses, for the same money he could fly the Philippines, get some cheap accomodation in Angeles City, and do things that have meaning to him and require interaction with people.

Even if it doesn't work out, it will be an awesome adventure and he will probably learn a lot more than he would in school.

[Jaron]

Only insight I can add is to try to study something that will give you a tangible, marketable skill. I myself have a history degree, and I know many others with various social science degrees. They're fun to study but not very marketable outside of academic positions.

You're a smart guy so just find what interests you and can make you some green and go for it. 

[Razgovory]

raz is in a terrible financial situation and very likely won't ever have another job in his life. certainly not a normal job, at least. so, college is a pointless expense to him. he wants to learn? library card. through his own research, raz will learn far more than he ever would in a classroom environment. just look at history majors. by and large, they don't know shit about history

having a professor present is useful to improve writing, but raz's post doesn't indicate that's what he's really interested in. so, he'd be paying to have a professor explain reading material that he probably could figure out himself, so he's better off cutting out that $500-3000 middleman. especially in his case where he doesn't have hundreds of dollars to pile up and set on fire

Persona non grata at library.

[Admiral Yi]

raz is in a terrible financial situation and very likely won't ever have another job in his life. certainly not a normal job, at least. so, college is a pointless expense to him. he wants to learn? library card. through his own research, raz will learn far more than he ever would in a classroom environment. just look at history majors. by and large, they don't know shit about history

having a professor present is useful to improve writing, but raz's post doesn't indicate that's what he's really interested in. so, he'd be paying to have a professor explain reading material that he probably could figure out himself, so he's better off cutting out that $500-3000 middleman. especially in his case where he doesn't have hundreds of dollars to pile up and set on fire

You're overlooking the human interaction aspect.