15-12-2002 09:44									#1
	Have you ever taken a chance? Increase Your PM Length

Have you ever been tired of the current situation on your life, and just leave all the s**t behind and take a chance? Not exactly a leap of faith, but something like it.

I'm pretty secure and all, well I don't have money, but I can still eat every day and pay my basic needs like electric, phone and such. But I'm still very .. I'm not happy with my life. I think I'm missing out all the time, and every new day is a lost day, since I'm not going for my full potential. Just living poor but secure life, going absolutely nowhere. So.. I'm thinking of just packing my stuff, just the essentials and go. Doesn't matter where.. but outside my country. It can fail miserably, but on the other hand, something might come up.. if you don't play, you won't win.

I figure I'll try to get to comp sci schools this summer, and if I don't get in, then I go. Maybe I'll end up in French Foreign Legion when I run out of options, but who knows! Anything could happen.. have you ever risked and what happened? Did you think it was worth it?

disclaimer to people who think I should appreciate what I have because most people in this planet are doing worse.. well this is not what I want. I'm willing to gamble, and if I lose, I lose. Better to be safe than sorry is not my motto. You must go forward all the time, or backwards, but if you stay still, you're in trouble.

	15-12-2002 09:55									#2
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Do I mind if I ask how old you are?

I've felt in the same situation before, but recently I've not been so bothered, since the job is going well and I've moved into a nicer flat.

	15-12-2002 09:59									#3
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I'm from British Columbia, and I got laid off of my job in northern BC- slow labour market, not enough customers to sustain the business without cutting people. It wasn't a great job, but it paid the bills for school. I had a choice of moving 500 miles to Vancouver, or to stay, both places I had no job. If I stayed, I might not find work for the rest of the summer, but if I left, I would have to pay room and board, but I was more likely to find work. I left, and did okay, survived, and managed to save some money for school.

As for you, I don't know your job situation. Are you not pleased with your job? Look for something more challenging, not necessarily abroad. Maybe something you never thought you were able to do.

There is nothing wrong with living a quiet, stable life, even if you are poor. Many people are contented and enjoy life that way. They just don't make the news as often

Consider what you really want, and don't chuck a job until you know what this is. No sense being lost and out of work as well.

	15-12-2002 10:05									#4
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22, no job. I really want to study, but there's only one place here that I want to go. I don't want to go there, it's a long story and I've been crying about it here earlier .

I don't see my future here anyway, haven't seen it for a long time. Somehow I have always felt that I will go away from here and succeed, since I was a kid.
Yeah, I'm still pretty young, but I'm slowly starting to lose my patience as days go by and my accomplishments won't get any better. I feel like I'm waiting for something to happen, but it ain't gonna drop your lap, I have learned that much. So only option is to go for it yourself, maybe against odds.. .

I'm pretty sure about it. There is just NO way if I fail this time at entrance exams, that I will stand still and maybe get to flip burgers for few months. Then, I'm going for it, maybe I'll become a male prostitute in Japan, but no way I'm waiting anymore. I'm not getting any younger waiting.

	15-12-2002 10:08									#5
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obiwan18, You have to know where I come from. If you're not a professor at something, you won't get a job more than just flipping burgers. Getting job here (even a shitty one) is like winning in lottery, and even then you get raped with terms of the job.
So what I need to do is get my butt to university, but theres only one for me in here, thus I need to get myself out of this country, and I don't want to wait and wait. I'm a man of action! .


edit: but someone could share their own experiences, because this is not supposed to be one of those 'I'm doing crappy' threads.

and ps taking chance doesn't mean going interrailing in Europe. It means leaving for good.

Last edited by Pekka on 15-12-2002 at 10:14

	15-12-2002 10:27									#6
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If you want to go to school, concentrate on getting in. Once you are in, it is much easier to stay, or to return. Universities don't like giving up on people who demonstrate reasonable ability and drive. There is no use worrying until you actually fail. Concentrate at the task at hand, and then you can decide where to go from there.

Hope this helps. : )

	15-12-2002 10:37									#7
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"Have you ever taken a chance?"

Yes.

	15-12-2002 10:38									#8
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obiwan18, no it didn't help! . You again have to understand where I come from, we have a different system. You have one shot per year, it's one exam, it's tough, people many times over take it and if you fail,.. you have to wait another year. It's very tough competiton, because there's only one place I want to go, and too many competitors. You can't do anything, extra work, nothing. It all comes down to that, that's all that matters. Also the level of candidates here is good, everyone is serious, no fools. If you miss one question, you're pretty much out. Tough game, but fair.
I was thinking of getting my butt to US or even Canada (or UK), but I couldn't come with the funding needed, only partial. Or maybe I will just sell my body to get that funding .

	15-12-2002 10:42									#9
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Wow JohnT, that was inspiring! Exactly what I meant.. you're one brave son of a gun!

	15-12-2002 10:58									#10
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So I'm ignorant of Finland's education system

"I figure I'll try to get to comp sci schools this summer, and if I don't get in, then I go. "

Same exams you were talking about? If this is your plan, then you have 6 months to prepare, and to make a final decision whether you stay or go. Unless money is a problem, there is no need to decide now whether you want to leave or not.

I challenge your assertion that there are no ways to prepare for an exam. Maybe some of the other Finnish folks will chime in. All exams have strategies to prepare for- talk to people who have successfully completed them, etc. I used to tutor folks back home, (still might if I need some extra $$, when I go back home for Christmas).

If you don't want to wait 6 months, and try again at the exams, then it becomes a problem.

	15-12-2002 11:10									#11
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No, they can't really have anything to say in preparing . Since there's one question where you need to do programming, and one logic question, and one surprise question. I already know how to program, and my level at programming is not the greatest, but enough to score full points in that question. The logical question is pretty easy, but the problem is, to get in I need to score full points. And surprise question, well they call it surprise because you don't know what it is. So no, you can't prepare if you already know programming .
Problem is, almost everyone is good at these things, so if I make one stupid mistake, I'm out. That's the case, so I don't take it for granted that I will make it next time.
I could make it to US, Canada schools but that's money question. And no, I can't make that money flipping burgers or even selling drugs . Perhaps if some rich Japanese men would take interest on me..

Money is not a problem. I don't have it. It's much more simpler, I'm glad I'm not rich. And pretty much all the finns I know have said 'man you have to be crazy to get in that school' etc. . You need to have certain level of knowledge in that area, and after that it's godspeed and luck. I know the strategies, since I have taken it before, and missed so close I almost thought I should go to principals office and take my place with gunpoint.

I will take this exam once again after about 6 months, if I fail, I'm not waiting ANOTHER year for it to come. And that's why I'm thinking of leaving for good, because I'm pretty sick of this #%"¤%"¤.

	15-12-2002 12:43									#12
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leaving for where?

	15-12-2002 13:06									#13
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yes and i got steam rolled...

	15-12-2002 13:13									#14
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Pekka: Illegally Immigrate to the U.S. If you're as white as the wind driven snow, you'll have no problem sneaking over.

	15-12-2002 13:44									#15
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Haha, I wasn't talking about immigrating illegally to states. I have relatives there anyway. I meant I was and still am thinking of studying there if everything else fails here, since the requirements are pretty easy, it's a question of money.. must..find...japanese...men...
But I'm pretty much white as snow, you could call me arayan poster boy or something, since I look like it (don't confuse these to nazi stuff).

edit: sorry, I got it wrong.. take my chance in the US? Hmm.. interesting, but I couldn't get a green card, so it would be a bit .. difficult and I could face serious charges . I reckon my chances are better in Europe, or Asia even.

Azazel, I don't know. If I knew, there wouldn't be lots of chances to take . Just go.. why should I stay.. I don't want this, I'm willing to give up what I own now for making my life more interesting, and perhaps find something good, or bad, whatever.. as long as I find something. Maybe lady fortune is with me, and my life will take a new direction. Now it's going nowhere.
It's freaking frustrating and making me crazy.

	15-12-2002 14:07									#16
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Do it how all the Irish ladies and gents I've worked with: Tourist Visa. At least you could come over and bank some money before going back....

	15-12-2002 14:11									#17
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hey, you can't work under tourist visa?! Well in any case I'm coming over in jan-feb for at least few weeks, mostly to check out studying opportunities and intensive snowboarding .

	15-12-2002 14:32									#18
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I don't think you're supposed to work under one, but that never stopped the Irish girls I knew from finding a job

	15-12-2002 14:37									#19
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Well I'll leave that as my last option . It still beats fighting every night for your place in the beach to sleep against moroccan drug dealers.

	15-12-2002 14:43									#20
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Pekka, what's this only place where you want to continue your studies? After all, we Suomithreadi folks are the most reliable source for advices to get in.

	15-12-2002 14:48									#21
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Nah, doesn't help really. Helsinki unis comp sci department. It's stupid because the exams are not too tough, but that's why you need perfect score because all the nerds are trying to get in too .

	15-12-2002 15:22									#22
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Taking chances in life? Hmmm...interesting.

Now I was doing a PhD until last February. Now due to crap conditions, unhappiness and the strong feeling of 'going nowhere' I decided to resign and leave my PhD as I was sick of it. Was it a good choice? Well, quite frankly, I seem to have fallen flat on my face doing it. Even almost a year later I have not found steady employment. I am currently doing some temp work but it just isn't enough long term, I am a little more ambitious than that, and I know I have the ability. But the problem is, no one will take me seriously. I have sent off christ knows how many applications, had lots of interviews but no employer will touch me with a bargepole...it makes me wonder what the f**k is going on with the world...

	15-12-2002 15:35									#23
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Provost Harrison, sorry to hear that.. We should just get angry and start a killing spree .

	15-12-2002 15:36									#24
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Emigrate. Britain's got a net skills shortage and you can speak English.

The British government will give you £6000 if you train to be a teacher.

	15-12-2002 15:50									#25
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Well UK was my one of three good options.. It's starting to look like I don't have to go on my journey with lots of adventures and romantic (muggings and starvation).

Ok, I have a new game plan. I send my applications to 1000 different places, mainly foreign.

Lazarus and the Gimp, Hmm, emigrating to UK might not be even too difficult, since we're both in EU.. at least I hope so.

Besides, this thing wasn't suppose to sound bad, I wasn't planning on going homeless or anything.. Just find a new place for me to live, keep trusting that I find something.

	15-12-2002 15:50									#26
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Hmmm, teaching, one I have given a lot of thought to, but the simple fact is I just don't have the mentality for it. I don't suffer fools well, and I'd end up throwing kids through windows

And Pekka, sometimes that idea is tempting

	15-12-2002 15:51									#27
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But you know I'd still like to hear some heroic stories about you guys putting everything on line and going for something new. Only few contributions so far..

	15-12-2002 15:52									#28
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Provost Harrison, Yeah, just send me PM when you're ready to go at it
I know few people who almost deserves it.

	15-12-2002 15:55									#29
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Hehe.

Emigration is kind of tempting but I just wouldn't know how to go about it, and I think they are looking for people with more experience than me...it definitely seems like I need a bit of good luck, but good luck isn't forthcoming...

	15-12-2002 16:01									#30
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I though you were British? Anyway, teaching is not really my cup of tea.. but the idea isn't all bad.