For a while even beginning in high school I asked, where is this leading? What am I doing here in this classroom when I have so much to offer the world? I started asking my peers this, and they looked at me funny. Some replied with “Oh, get a good job”. I tried convincing them that they were banging their heads- biology degrees didn’t really yield good jobs. Most of the kids in my old program wanted to be doctors, pharmacists, or some kind of professional, and grindly mindlessly, some even sacrificing their own sanity and integrity in the process. A girl that had the 2nd highest marks at my high school dropped out of university for severe anxiety. Others would cheat, lie, and even have sexual affairs with teaching assistants to get the grades or references.

For myself, I had to get out of school asap- I couldn’t be associated with that stuff, as well as the small mindedness of the people at my university. My ultimate goal was to learn as much as I could about the human body, perhaps furthering medical science for the good, as well as to become a great businessman, and enjoy experiences with people, family, and friends. In the first year of my undergrad, I said- how many tests will I have to write before I make use of any of this? When does this become real? Why would I want to grind myself and sacrifice the things that I truly love in my life?

It was an epiphany that made me apply to med school out of 1st year. At least when I’m learning the information, I’m learning to apply it to something useful. I agree with you in your views on the current medical model. As a medical student myself, I know that most doctors don’t know shit about keeping people healthy and living well- medicine is more trauma focussed and cure focussed, like if someone comes in vomitting or shitting blood. Our nutrition teaching sucks. However, I am learning human anatomy, physiology, pharmacology, microbiology, physical examination, etc, in a better and more hands on setting than by simply reading a book or by taking undergraduate courses with tests.

To top it off, the med school here is 3 years compressed, versus the standard 4. I’m going to graduate as likely the youngest doctor in Canada- 22 years old. At the end of the day, I don’t know if I want to practice medicine and work a job, but I will be happy that I acquired this knowledge. An MD certainly doesn’t hurt either. To the point of doctors not knowing shit- We have 200 docs and even more proffs that work with the med school, and a lot of them have cutting edge ideas and research. More doctors that teach here have a good knowledge of overall health, but not even that they have knowledge, its that they acknowledge the limitations of current knowledge, and not hold steady to conventional beliefs.

I’ve seen people even in my immediate family, with multiple degress, but little real street smarts and true rational thinking ability, with poor paying jobs. I think people need to evaluate the true purpose of going to school post high school. I also think that education does not necessarily have to be tied to a job either- I took courses out of pure interest, like Philosophy of Logic, Latin and Economics, and I found those to be some of the most rewarding courses I took. Would they lead to better pay? Probably not, but I enjoyed them.

All in all, I totally agree with this Anthony. Keep blogging, the world needs it. You and I are very similar in a lot of ways. I love the way you think and get shit done. I hope we can meet some day.

Mario

Really though, I think it takes balls to take an unconventional route. You know.. to just have those high aspirations and say screw the normal way. I want to offer my support and encouragement Dream and everybody else. You don’t have to go to college or even finish it–I often regret not starting a business or some sort of “project” like The 21 Convention a couple of years back. I just graduated last December and have been living at home with parents since then jobless because I really had my eyes opened.. reading The 4 Hour Work Week and then seeing people like Anthony is positively envious. I was supposed to be studying for my exams right now to be an actuary but I realized I don’t want to spend 300 hours studying for each of those exams throughout my life when I could be studying about fitness or personal development which is what really moves me.

Cheers to all you guys. Remember to think for yourself. Know what you want. Be fearless which really means to push your comfort zone. Finally, take action.

-Dilan

I took a few science courses with a bunch of people who want to become doctors and dentists. I shudder to think that they may one day practice on people.

I’m a math major. I don’t expect to actually do anything with the degree, but it’s enough that people get impressed when they hear it. I see all these people who are just mediocre and I know that getting a degree does not make me or them special.

I told my mom and sister that I think college is a dieing industry and their reaction was pretty typical.

I’ve been saying for a year that I want to drop out (or take a “leave of absence”). My only reason for not doing it has been that I haven’t had the guts. I’m scheduled to graduate in the spring, after only three years, but I think that if I actually get the degree, it’s going to be a Pyrrhic victory. I’m going to make me feel hypocritical and I’m not going to enjoy telling people I have a math degree.

I know I’m capable of doing great things; I’ve seen it throughout my entire life. But that has always been for things I’ve felt passionate about. I see absolutely no reason for me to do something that has already been planned out so “well” that there’s no longer any point for me to be there. If it’s so effin fabulous, somebody else can do it.

It amazes to me to see how many readers are coming out of the wood work on this topic, and bringing valuable insight to the table.

Like others, very well said. The fact that you understand what you just wrote about, in high school, is astounding.

Rock on man, you are WAY ahead of your age group

-Anthony

Anyway, the funny thing is that while I’m in high school I can visit the local library and check out books like BBS and Brzycki’s strength training manuals or a French guide book or a book on body language and psychology or whatever. And for painting, the local museum hosts classes for like $30 a month.

The more I read and try to teach myself, try to question conventional wisdom, the more I find that what I learn in school is taught to me for the sole purpose of regurgitation onto a Scantron, and what I learn on my own actually applies to real life.

So what to do about this? My conclusion: learn what you want to learn on your own time, using your own resources (that means thinking outside the box), outside of a “formal education.” Attend a decent school (I’m thinking Ohio State) and do enough to get by while building relationships that will actually help you learn what you want to learn, do what you want to do.

“By all means, college has some benefits but the paper definitely isn’t one of them.”

Well said.

@Alex

Thanks for checking in man. Will definitely shoot you an e-mail if I decide to head there next year! (or, whenever)

-Anthony