This is a question I often contemplate...'why the fuck am I doing this?'

During school, I was never really that smart. My GCSEs were average at best (GSCEs is the UK grading system when you leave compulsory education) and I dropped out of college - twice. After that I had major problems with anxiety and depression and was on many meds and had many therapists.

I remember telling my family I wanted to go to University on a foundation course that would lead to a degree...I was met with silence, then my dad saying 'We don't think its a good idea, you're not strong enough or smart enough to cope'.

I managed to convince them otherwise, however on my first day of term I spent most of the day in my bedroom throwing up into the sink because I was so scared of what I had gotten myself into.

My first 2 years were a nightmare - barely scraping by with enough points to pass. Then something changed last September, I suddenly became determined...I decided to go all out and apply myself and put as much effort into my work as physically possible, to prove my family wrong.

At the moment I am in line to acheive a 2:1 grade - which is a very good mark to get at degree, but I keep pushing myself to aim for a 1st (top level degree)...so much so that anything less is a fail in my eyes. I think its because I want to prove my family and my demons as wrong as possible, but in doing so I am making myself ill with stress and sleep deprivation.

So yeah, sorry about the rambling on...I really just needed to vent.

But I wondered, does anyone else have a reason why they study, or even just work as hard as they do?

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education -> better job -> more money -> means to do what you want

i graduated 3 months ago

just an extra line on my cv, but my salary almost doubled

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quote:

Originally posted by Mrs Haus Also I noticed you work for the Canadian Forces so depending on if your an Officer or an NCM (non-Commissioned Member) and your now in Kingston by the looks of it so your no longer on your basic training where you get paid peanuts. So like I said depending on if your an NCM or Officer and your rank, you probably make at least $50,000 a year but most likely more. And depending on if you live at CFB Kingston your cost of living is probably very low as well, but even if you weren't cost of living in Kingston isn't that bad. Its only $30 which is cheaper than most nights at Stereo. Most of us on here who post about Stereo have put out probably hundreds and hundreds of dollars clubbing there just this year alone, and have never really complained for the most part. I know I sure as hell have.

Because, believe it or not, I like to learn.

And I think the "better job" waiting for you at the end of your education is one of many incentives...

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I studied hard because I appreciated the intellectual stimulation. Yes, college education is important in attaining means to make money and be successful later in life, but even with that in mind, I worked hard because I wanted to prove to myself that I could overcome the challenge of getting the best grades possible.

I saw school as a game of sorts...get an A and I win. Anything less and I lose. The jobs/careers/money that I would receive afterwards for winning that 'game' would be like a bonus.

I think its awesome that you are setting out to prove to those that you can do this, but you should really be doing this for yourself. Who cares what others think. This is your life, and if you'd rather scrape by in mediocrity, so be it. If not (which it sounds like you don't), work at it, get it done, and reap the benefits. But try not to stress out too much.

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quote:

Originally posted by R.j. Because, believe it or not, I like to learn.

They've actually done neuroscience which shows that, apart from other benefits, learning is a biologically pleasurable experience.

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my old stuff, not quite up to snuff - but I still dig it - UPDATED 9/23/2012

Because it's my duty to put the talent god gave me to use.

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money, bitches, and power

quote:

Originally posted by Enjoy education -> better job -> more money -> means to do what you want

I would say this is partially correct. Add to that...study so you will do something in life you love and have a passion for.

If scrubbing toilets made you a lot of money and required minimal education...would you do it for a lifetime? Likely no - though some of you would say yes but get fed up with the job after a short time. Higher education means you will go into a much more disciplined field and that job will generally pay you more. The beauty of university general education classes (for those who are undecided) is to give you a flavor of everything out there. Some math(s), business, science, art, etc, etc, etc...

I'm currently studying medicine (gonna enter second year after summer). The thing is, I always was interested in this area. Also, many of the people on my mother's side (and family friends) are medics so I was in this kind of an environment from an early stage.

Also, I don't care as much about the money as I do about the social status it brings me (in the society I'm living in).


The thing is, always when i had hard times studying, got stuck or didn't understand other complex stuff, it's important to remember that you do this out of pleasure, and not to consider this a burden, especially when you're in a career which demands constant documentation about techniques and news, even after graduation.

EDIT: When it comes to motivators, me, a friend of mine and another guy which i don't know so well have the best grades. It is kind of a personal competition on that level too. Friendly, of course.

quote:

Originally posted by Chimney EDIT: When it comes to motivators, me, a friend of mine and another guy which i don't know so well have the best grades. It is kind of a personal competition on that level too. Friendly, of course.

A while back, I helped in a psychological study under this Stanley Milgram guy. He was doing this test to see if electric shocks could help people to improve their memories. The guy they had me shock didn't do very well and wound up dying. It turns out punishing people didn't actually help them learn much of anything.

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Now with extra singles!
my old stuff, not quite up to snuff - but I still dig it - UPDATED 9/23/2012

I wouldn't really say that I work "hard". I mean, I'm very focused and aim to do well (I'd say my best, but I definitely don't work that hard), but it's not like I struggle.

I study because I enjoy what I'm learning and want to be good at what I do. I want to go on to get my master's degree as well. My job entails life-long learning and continual upgrading, staying on top of current research, etc. So it would be a pretty poor career choice if I didn't enjoy "studying" to some extent.

quote:

Originally posted by jennypie I wouldn't really say that I work "hard". I mean, I'm very focused and aim to do well (I'd say my best, but I definitely don't work that hard), but it's not like I struggle. I study because I enjoy what I'm learning and want to be good at what I do. I want to go on to get my master's degree as well. My job entails life-long learning and continual upgrading, staying on top of current research, etc. So it would be a pretty poor career choice if I didn't enjoy "studying" to some extent.

yeah, I think the first two years of college is just an extension of high school; you still don't really care about class and just getting by, etc.

once I started getting to my final years of my degree, and even more so now in grad school, learning things you know you're going to be working with in your job isn't as bad. I am just overwhelmed right now because of a lot of regulations changing and stuff so I'm currently working part-time, going to grad school full time, and studying for my license full time all together.

I feel like you finally start learning something useful to you, though, which kind of drives you to do it more.