29-05-2003 18:46									#1
	Twelve years Support Apolyton, buy Galactic Civilizations

I'm out!

Out of high school, out of school, out of the system entirely!

Only to enter another one soon. And I haven't actually graduated yet. That doesn't come for another two weeks. But today was the last day of school. Indescribable elation right now. This is fantastic.

But then, I have no idea what to do with my life. Does anyone know what you're supposed to do in life? I need a plan. Well no, that sounds like it requires a little too much effort and forethought, but I at least want a vague idea of what's supposed to happen now.

Yes, I go to college - community college - and hopefully I'll transfer to a four year college after a few semesters, but what the hell am I supposed to study? My current goal in life is to save the world. And so far the only way I can see of accomplishing that goal is by studying law. You know, take down the system from the inside out. Yah!

I could do something useless like get a degree in sociology or history or something but, well, useless things rarely have any use. You can teach other people with those degrees, or have jobs that really don't have the scope I'm looking for.

So... anyone else graduating from high school or college or elementary school or something? And what do you plan to do? And what the hell is the point anyway?

	29-05-2003 18:48									#2
	Support Apolyton buy from Amazon

Internship?

	29-05-2003 18:49									#3
	Remove this text

Law will ensnare you within the system... beware!!!

Congratulations... and don't worry about that "Life Plan" thingy - it's not like any of us had one.

	29-05-2003 18:55									#4
	Support Apolyton

I'm just trying to make sure that thirty years from now, I'm doing more than just posting on Poly.

	29-05-2003 18:57									#5
	Increase the size of your Attachments

Nah, there are other message boards out there. Odds are, you'll be posting on those.

	29-05-2003 19:02									#6
	Support Apolyton, buy Civilization: The Boardgame

There is no point. Don't worry about it.

Go for something that either interests you or will give you a decent living without having to work too hard.

Don't become a lawyer unless you want to be perceived as a moral-free moneygrubbing parasite. (I know some lawyers that I like personally but no-one ever wants to pay the bills for what the lawyers do)

What do you want to save the world from exactly anyway?

Oh, and make sure that whatever you do you are still around to post on 'Poly in thirty years time.

	29-05-2003 19:02									#7
	Put an end to popups!

"What do you want to save the world from exactly anyway?"

Himself, probably.

	29-05-2003 19:14									#8
	Support Apolyton, pre-order Civilization IV

Teach. Wherever. In a school, at a job, have an impact.

RAH

	29-05-2003 19:21									#9
	Support Apolyton buy from Amazon

I'm far too idealistic. I'm saving the world from its current imperfections. In fact, saving the world is a terrible term, but it sounds nice and cliche. What I want to do is restructure society. I think our current civilization is inherently flawed. But, well, I'm sure everyone thinks that. Most people probably don't view it as their responsibility to change it, however. I'm a hopeless idealist though, so I'm a little off.

This isn't supposed to be a thread about me. Other people have to be graduating, right?

	29-05-2003 19:43									#11
	Support Apolyton, buy Galactic Civilizations: Deluxe Edition

Some of us graduated a long long time ago. Full of idealism and the desire to make a difference in the world.

But looking back over a long career, I haven't changed the world. BUT I've touched/influenced many people's lives, (mostly for good). Every now and then some call to thank me or just to say they remember. The projects, the money, the career, just doesn't seem to be important anymore, but those calls are.

RAH

	29-05-2003 20:00									#12
	Support Apolyton or Terrorists Win

"The projects, the money, the career, just doesn't seem to be important anymore, but those calls are."

... He says while still in possession of the money, the career, etc.

	29-05-2003 20:01									#13
	Got spare money?

"I think our current civilization is inherently flawed. But, well, I'm sure everyone thinks that."

Nope, I don't. Sorry.

	29-05-2003 20:02									#14
	Support Apolyton buy from Amazon

I made a 5-year-plan when I graduated high school, and it didn't survive the first year in college. Don't even try making a 30-year-plan -- it probably won't fare much better.

	29-05-2003 20:05									#15
	Support Apolyton, buy Alpha Centauri

I don't even want a five year plan. I want to know what I'm going to do tomorrow. I don't have school. Past that I want to know what my summer will be like, and then at least what classes I'm going to take at college. I have no plans.

JohnT: You really think the way we do things right now is the right way? And that all we can do from this point is just improve the model we've got?

	29-05-2003 20:11									#16
	Help yourself to an AD-FREE life

No plans? Don't worry about it. My plans went down the toilet when I graduated college, so I did the next best thing and drove to Montana. Give it a try -- nothing like a long drive to Montana with nothing in the car but a single Beatles tape to help you get your **** together. Don't have a car? Take a train. Already live in Montana? Drive to North Carolina. Whatever. Worrying about everything isn't going to help you in the long run or the short run.

	29-05-2003 21:39									#17
	Inflate your Upload Space

Hey, I've almost finished highschool myself.

I still have several final exams to do, but school is over with (except for classes the teachers are so kind to give to make repetitions for the final exams) and I am not obliged to come anymore.

I had a blast in Highschool. I wasn't the crazyiest most fun loving guy, but I had my share of fun and friends and booze and girls. I'm happy I'll have nice things to look back to.


I think there are many ways to change the world. Become a teacher or a professor in any subject. You will have huge impact on people's lives. Seriously.

You can (if you have the guts) go to politics.

Otherwise you can go on to be a researcher in science, and change people's lives in every aspect. From designing new incredible machines (exact sciences), to changing their world view (social sciences) to whatever you choose.

Even if you choose an applied profession, your service and your achievements will surely affect people's lives, and that will do much to create a better world.

All you have to do is keep your target in mind, and practice it in daily life.

	29-05-2003 21:42									#18
	Inflate your Upload Space

Btw, in the same time I'm also nervous of stepping out to the real world.

Of course I don't go in the "Real World" yet, I'm going to the army first - but that is even more unique and challenging in a way (though it is a safe "system").

I'm a bit nervous, getting used to being free, and at the same time having responsability and having to "do" stuff - be active.

I won't have to go anywhere like I did with school, but I'll need to. That's quite a change.

I'm very hopefull though, and expect the best

	29-05-2003 21:49									#19
	Support Apolyton, buy GURPS/ Alpha Centauri

Saving the world and reforming society is a waste of time. It just ain't worth it. Find something you love to do and figure out how to make that a career... Earn lots of money, retire rich...

I remember when I got out of HS and everything was so surreal. Then in college everything became a blur , and that was good. Then, I woke up one day and realized how lost I was, still... I had seen my friends go on to be effective members of society, and there I was bitting my thumbs. I have changed, but the real cultural shock of it all caused me to lose lofty goals such as yours.

Don't get me wrong. I still have goals, but they are more in the 4-8 year time range. Also, they aren't saving the world or changing society. Yet, still, if I continue towards each smaller goal one day I might.

My advice, don't waste anytime while your young. Foolish ways have there place, of course, but also work hards to long term goals. I'd say your first goal is to figure out what you want to do and get a degree in that. You might find this harder to do than it seems. Yet, you have two years in community college to figure out what degree you want. Then once you begin working on your degree, decide how it is you want to apply it to society, and begin working on that...

I think being a happy member of society will take you far, make you successful, and make you happy.

	29-05-2003 22:15									#20
	Support Apolyton or Terrorists Win

What if I don't want money or success? What if your definition of far isn't the same as mine? What if I also only have two interests, both of which are exceedingly difficult to survive on? (the first being the one I've already mentioned, the second being writing)

Btw, you might tell me to expand my horizons as far as my interests go, but it was actually a conscious decision of mine to narrow them down. Most things in this society I find to be frivolous and unimportant. I don't particurlarly want to take part in them, because they are a waste of time and energy.

Siro - the army, whoa. That's required in Israel, isn't it? I'm definetely still living with my parents.

	29-05-2003 22:20									#21
	Help yourself to an AD-FREE life

The thing is that drastically narrowing your interests is essentially the same thing as making a 30-year-plan.

	29-05-2003 22:31									#22
	Support Apolyton, buy Alpha Centauri

Well then someone needs to convince me that there is a possible profession or career that is more fulfilling than creating a utopia. Any job I could have would invariably effect a rather small and finite number of people, whereas "saving the world" gets everyone.

The problem is that I'm rather nihilistic when it comes to philosophy. Because of this I don't really see the point in any of things that society offers me.

I understand that I am human, however, and that if I want to live a happy life (happiness feels good) then I need some sort of goal, something to achieve. So as a human, I view humanity as being my responsibility.

Writing is also one of those things that feels good, and it can make an impact (dissemination of knowledge). If I didn't think my writing was worth anything, I probably would have lost interest in that as well.

	29-05-2003 22:47									#23
	Got spare money?

Here is my plan after I graduate next year.

Enrole in local state university, Minnesota State University of Moorhead (Moorhead is Fargo, ND's little sister on the MN side of the Red River, nice town.

Study for a B.S. in Life Science Teaching

Go to University of Minnesota at St. Paul

Get a Ph.D. in Evolutionary Biology

Teach Biology at a University and do some research.


I am interested in Political Science too, maby I should choose it as a minor.

	29-05-2003 22:55									#24
	Increase Your PM Length

I got my degree in Chem. E. mainly because it seemed like the hardest degree in the world to me at the time, and I figured if I could do that then I could do anything.

I struggled, but I got the degree. Now I am a Chem. E., kind of seems like I got in a rut right now. I mean, do I want to be a Chem. E.? I don't know it pays the bills, but I got the degree to do anything. Not just that one thing.

Thus, I have constructed my 5 year plan (actually put in place 2 years ago). I will get a MBA and/or MS, in which I need to be enrolled within those 5 years (got 3 left). Seems simple enough, but I tell you, going back to school while holding a job and having a family is not the first thing on my mind. Yet, if I get that advanced degree I would be able to advance within my career further, or I might just decide to do something completely different. That I will decide on after the next 3 years. First, I need to get into a position so that I can go back to school without making everything and everyone else suffer for me doing so.

Another good thing... work will pay for the schooling

It is good to have plans, something to work for, but it is also good to remain open to other options (this does not mean expand your horizons). Also, sometimes, life surprises you, and throws you a bone.

	29-05-2003 22:55									#25
	Support Apolyton, buy Galactic Civilizations: Deluxe Edition

quote: Originally posted by Lorizael Well then someone needs to convince me that there is a possible profession or career that is more fulfilling than creating a utopia.

That's not the point. There's nothing wrong with setting extremely idealistic goals, so long as you implement those goals in a realistic (you might call it "cynical") manner. The simple fact of the matter is that creating a utopia is difficult if not impossible, so if the only way for you to be fulfilled is to create a utopia then in all likelihood you're setting yourself up for a fall. However, if you pursue your pie-in-the-sky idealistic goals in a realistic-***-cynical manner, then when all is said and done you might not end up saving the world but you can still have a fulfilling life. It's basically the difference between, e.g., saying "My music is going to change the world!", and falling into a deep depression when it turns out that nobody likes your music, and saying "My music is going to change the world, or at the very least it will make me more attractive to chicks," and getting laid despite the fact that nobody likes your music. (You don't need to be a good musician in order to be attractive to the ladies, though it may help to be a rich musician...)