This stage of life is weird for me...

[Tyler Dumont]

So when I graduated high school in 2006, I was 18 turning 19 that summer in June. I didn't realize that I was a little older than most of the people I knew, but whatever. I've been doing Community College for the past 2 years and have only a semester in the fall left to finish up my last 7 credits...and then I've been accepted into UCF in the Spring of '09. Well, all this time I've been living at home since the CC is so close there's no need to go anywhere, and I've been working a shit job at steak n shake since I graduated. Now fast forward to now, almost everyone I know that was going to the same school as I was have dropped out and moved into various houses together. I'm at the point of kinda freaking out. I'm 21, only on technically my junior year of college, still living at home while working the same job with girlfriend who just graduated. I'm just concentrating on school, I guess.

I'm at this point where I feel pressure to move into places with people I know, and I've thought about it at times, but I'm realizing that in order to pay the share of the rent I'll have to work twice as much and I don't want that to effect my schooling. I also worry about being influenced by their hatred of the education system and I don't want that to effect things as well. But on the other end, it seems like I'm the only person who's my age and living at home. Maybe it just because everyone else who isn't "moved out" are the people away at universities and staying in dorms.

Either way, I then get into a big mess where I question everything I'm doing basing on what others are doing. I know I shouldn't, but I do. I'm just at this weird stage. With my age, i'll be close to 23 by the time I have my bachelor's. Then there's going for my master's but that's a whole different story. Ugh.

[hockeyguitar99]

none of us can really help you, it seems like this is up to you, and only you.

[argg_xo]

don't worry about what others are doing. go your own pace to figure stuff out. if it makes you feel any better i'm 22 and just declared a major.

[m_rue]

Do what's best for you and try to ignore what it seems like everyone else is doing. It seems like you already know what that is.

[Tyler Dumont]

thanks for the comments

[Willy McFurgle]

Do whats you want to do for yourself, don't follow the rest, declare your independence as a human being and create who you are going to be for the rest of your life.

[Neo Cassady]

I'm going to be turning 23 a month after I get my bachelor's. I'm going into my 5th year of undergrad, plus taking classes this summer. It took me 2 years to figure out that I didn't like my first major. Now I'm a lot happier than I would have been if I had already graduated, even though I'm still not 100% on this major either. Just do what makes you happy.

[infamous_alias]

I graduated HS on my 19th birthday, but I understand what you mean man. A lot of my friends have been getting married, having kids, getting divorces (haha) and although I'm working while going to school, I still depend on my parents way more than I'd like to.

I'd stay stick it out and try not to concern yourself with what everyone else is doing, but you're the only one who's going to know what's best for you. Good luck.

[updownleftright]

doesn't sound weird to me at all. what's weird is why you think it's weird, you're living your life man and it sounds like it's going really well. you got a girl, a job (even if it's not the best.. yet), and college. like my mom use to tell me when i would say "well so and so down the street can do it so why can't i?" and her response would always be "i don't care what they can do, i'm not their mother". haha maybe a poor analogy but you get the picture. make your decisions for you and you alone!

[tomakebelieve]

I know how you feel. I feel like I am behind all of my friends, and I get random urges to go apartment hunting/live with my friends/grow up. I am starting college a year later than I should. Etc etc. So I know how you feel.

But you just gotta go at your own pace. In the end, you will probably be happier than your other friends who aren't following the same path as you.

[AlkalineAvA]

i wouldnt worry about your "social status" or w/e. i kinda get what your having when im not doing stuff my friends are doing. in the ned i think youd regret moving in with the other people; unless they let you still focus on school and what not. but i dont think working twice as much would be good at all with school going on and stuff.

[MJS87]

Just go at your own pace. I think most people our age work shitty jobs to get by and still live at home, and theres nothing wrong with that. You've at least got a plan.

It is indeed frustrating to see your friends "surpass" you in some aspects of life, but thats their perogative. Focus on things you enjoy doing, and gobble up all the knowledge you can get your hands on.

Ignore the shit about the educational system - it's a business, and it operates like a business. Be mindful of its pitfalls, but focus on how it's making you a better person.

[thespearkid]

My boss didn't move out of home until he was 25. Now, he's, well, my boss.

[4N6 science]

So when I graduated high school in 2006, I was 18 turning 19 that summer in June. I didn't realize that I was a little older than most of the people I knew, but whatever. I've been doing Community College for the past 2 years and have only a semester in the fall left to finish up my last 7 credits...and then I've been accepted into UCF in the Spring of '09. Well, all this time I've been living at home since the CC is so close there's no need to go anywhere, and I've been working a shit job at steak n shake since I graduated. Now fast forward to now, almost everyone I know that was going to the same school as I was have dropped out and moved into various houses together. I'm at the point of kinda freaking out. I'm 21, only on technically my junior year of college, still living at home while working the same job with girlfriend who just graduated. I'm just concentrating on school, I guess.

I'm at this point where I feel pressure to move into places with people I know, and I've thought about it at times, but I'm realizing that in order to pay the share of the rent I'll have to work twice as much and I don't want that to effect my schooling. I also worry about being influenced by their hatred of the education system and I don't want that to effect things as well. But on the other end, it seems like I'm the only person who's my age and living at home. Maybe it just because everyone else who isn't "moved out" are the people away at universities and staying in dorms.

Either way, I then get into a big mess where I question everything I'm doing basing on what others are doing. I know I shouldn't, but I do. I'm just at this weird stage. With my age, i'll be close to 23 by the time I have my bachelor's. Then there's going for my master's but that's a whole different story. Ugh.

Don't worry about it man, like everyone else has said go at your own pace. At this point in life we shouldn't be comparing ourselves to each other. We're all at different stages and you shouldn't feel pressured to complete things because society has put this time-frames when things should get done.

btw I know workin at Steak n Shake might suck, but the milkshakes and steak burgers are soo good. I wish we had one in VA.

[awakeohsleeper]

Do what's best for you and try to ignore what it seems like everyone else is doing. It seems like you already know what that is.
Definitely agree with this. Good advice.

[Tyler Dumont]

Thank you to everyone with your kind words. I feel a bit better about things.

[hypa_dude]

I hate to be harsh, but someone has to be that guy. But believe it or not, this advice is genuine.

What I don't understand is how you're 21, have a job, and still live with your parents. I'm 85% sure you do drugs on a regular basis. Besides that, I can't figure out where your money goes. You should seek help.

If you want to afford to live somewhere other than your parents house while in school, there is such a thing as student loans.

The best college job is pizza delivery. You can make an assload of money and you only have to work nights.

[Tyler Dumont]

I hate to be harsh, but someone has to be that guy. But believe it or not, this advice is genuine.

What I don't understand is how you're 21, have a job, and still live with your parents. I'm 85% sure you do drugs on a regular basis. Besides that, I can't figure out where your money goes. You should seek help.

If you want to afford to live somewhere other than your parents house while in school, there is such a thing as student loans.

The best college job is pizza delivery. You can make an assload of money and you only have to work nights.

No, I have never done a single drug.

My money goes towards gas, car insurance, cell phone bill, and a small rent I pay my parents. I don't make that much.

[stayforawhile]

You just realized this?

[new_arbiter]

So when I graduated high school in 2006, I was 18 turning 19 that summer in June. I didn't realize that I was a little older than most of the people I knew, but whatever. I've been doing Community College for the past 2 years and have only a semester in the fall left to finish up my last 7 credits...and then I've been accepted into UCF in the Spring of '09. Well, all this time I've been living at home since the CC is so close there's no need to go anywhere, and I've been working a shit job at steak n shake since I graduated. Now fast forward to now, almost everyone I know that was going to the same school as I was have dropped out and moved into various houses together. I'm at the point of kinda freaking out. I'm 21, only on technically my junior year of college, still living at home while working the same job with girlfriend who just graduated. I'm just concentrating on school, I guess.

I'm at this point where I feel pressure to move into places with people I know, and I've thought about it at times, but I'm realizing that in order to pay the share of the rent I'll have to work twice as much and I don't want that to effect my schooling. I also worry about being influenced by their hatred of the education system and I don't want that to effect things as well. But on the other end, it seems like I'm the only person who's my age and living at home. Maybe it just because everyone else who isn't "moved out" are the people away at universities and staying in dorms.

Either way, I then get into a big mess where I question everything I'm doing basing on what others are doing. I know I shouldn't, but I do. I'm just at this weird stage. With my age, i'll be close to 23 by the time I have my bachelor's. Then there's going for my master's but that's a whole different story. Ugh.

I have to be honest, it sounds like you're doing pretty well for yourself. I've been doing community college for the past two years also(I basically went for the money, though I didn't live at home) and going to Ole Miss in the fall. Living at home isn't anything to feel bad about, though. I know plenty of people doing it.

[Gumbyjag]

best of luck to you man, you've gone this far and you seem alright, don't let what's ahead shake you.

[Fallinto_rhythm]

seriously, stay home and get a good education. Not to make assumptions but it sounds like your friends aren't really educated well and will probably wind up struggling in llife. Don't do to yourself. It sounds like you're on the right road so my suggestions would be to stay on it. Good luck!

[anamericangod]

It's a great boat to be in, isn't it?

[Fallinto_rhythm]

I hate to be harsh, but someone has to be that guy. But believe it or not, this advice is genuine.

What I don't understand is how you're 21, have a job, and still live with your parents. I'm 85% sure you do drugs on a regular basis. Besides that, I can't figure out where your money goes. You should seek help.

If you want to afford to live somewhere other than your parents house while in school, there is such a thing as student loans.

The best college job is pizza delivery. You can make an assload of money and you only have to work nights.

you do realize that 21 really isn't that old to be living home if you're in school, right? And that a lot of kids after attending 4 year schools move back in with parents after college to save money. Are they doing drugs too? I think that was ignorant to assume.

[sdbrown]

So when I graduated high school in 2006, I was 18 turning 19 that summer in June. I didn't realize that I was a little older than most of the people I knew, but whatever. I've been doing Community College for the past 2 years and have only a semester in the fall left to finish up my last 7 credits...and then I've been accepted into UCF in the Spring of '09. Well, all this time I've been living at home since the CC is so close there's no need to go anywhere, and I've been working a shit job at steak n shake since I graduated. Now fast forward to now, almost everyone I know that was going to the same school as I was have dropped out and moved into various houses together. I'm at the point of kinda freaking out. I'm 21, only on technically my junior year of college, still living at home while working the same job with girlfriend who just graduated. I'm just concentrating on school, I guess.

I'm at this point where I feel pressure to move into places with people I know, and I've thought about it at times, but I'm realizing that in order to pay the share of the rent I'll have to work twice as much and I don't want that to effect my schooling. I also worry about being influenced by their hatred of the education system and I don't want that to effect things as well. But on the other end, it seems like I'm the only person who's my age and living at home. Maybe it just because everyone else who isn't "moved out" are the people away at universities and staying in dorms.

Either way, I then get into a big mess where I question everything I'm doing basing on what others are doing. I know I shouldn't, but I do. I'm just at this weird stage. With my age, i'll be close to 23 by the time I have my bachelor's. Then there's going for my master's but that's a whole different story. Ugh.
haha, shut up, I'm going to be 23+ by the time I get my BS. And I'll probably be living at home until I'm 24. Free load while you can, especially if your parents don't drive you completely crazy you have a great opportunity.

You need a slap on the head if you're thinking of doing this and don't have anything in a savings account. Don't move. Save your money. You'll enjoy the independence it gives you once you're done with school.

[Tyler Dumont]

These replies, for the most part, are reassuring. I'm glad to know that it's not that odd.

Thanks for not making me feel like an idiot. haha.