I hated college. It was a waste of my time and intelligence. I learned nothing I didn't already know, except how to run beta cameras and edit super VHS's. I hated it so much, in fact, that I hunkered down and, between taking on 18 credits per semester and working almost full time, I was done in 3 years (with excellent grades and GPA, thankyouverymuch).
Don't get me wrong. I understand that in today's world, you need a degree to get anywhere. I also understand that for certain careers, you need graduate degrees. The point of a degree, however, is to get one and use it, even if you don't end up in your intended field.
Which leads to today's topic: excessive degrees, as pursued by over-achievers who in reality aren't smart enough to do anything with them. I swear that there is a contingent of the population that views a crapload of degrees as some sign of intellect (which it isn't) and also as a security blanket so they never have to face the real world, where they will most likely fail. And I'm not referring to people who need a bunch of degrees to actually be able to practice their career. I'm talking about people who say they're going to do something (and it's always something spectacular, like a rocket scientist or doctor), who need all these degrees for them to work said field, and then nothing happens.
See, here's the deal: people who are actually going to do or be something, do it, even if it takes them a long time to achieve it. That "long time" is usually spent focused on their education and career, so that even if it took 10 years (citing a personal reference to my best friend here), it was 10 years of full-time schoolwork and related work experience to get all the necessary degrees. People like this don't make up excuses and are relentless. They don't settle into bullshit jobs and then stagnate; they don't cite money problems as an excuse (hello, Stafford!); and when confronted with obstacles, they certainly don't make lame excuses and blame others (apparently, unless you're well-connected, it is impossible to get into UM medical school. Riiiiiiight. Even my piece of shit ex, who was a crappy student in high school and only picked his grades up and got his shit together in the 2nd half of college, and whose parents epitomized the term "hillbilly," even he got into UM med school).
I can admit, however, that perhaps my own choices make me biased. I happen to be in a field where, beyond a Bachelor's, what really matters is experience and on-the-job learning. I am where I am today (stable job, mid-level, better salary than many peers) by busting my ass and constantly being creative, innovative and on my toes. So for me, success and feelings of accomplishment (or the ability to work in my chosen field) haven't hinged on any piece of paper or the need for one, beyond the most basic one. So that may make me less sympathetic and harsher than others.
In the meantime, the world is littered with people with multiple Bachelors (which is impressive to the extent that it proves that some asses actually think this gives them some sort of advantage -- which it doesn't -- and waste their time on such endeavors instead of pursuing greater challenges). People, this is annoying and pointless. Either admit to yourself that you don't have what it takes to reach lofty heights and accept it, or make a real commitment and finish what you started -- with no lame excuses and no bull shit that's so transparent, anyone can see though it.
