college help: Torn Apart when it comes to my future - college help - - Help.com

I talked to a famous author some time ago. He thought degrees in fine arts were worthless. He said you’d be better off just living off the money you’d pay for that degree, and sitting in a room until you wrote a novel or play or screenplay that was worth something.

I think he had a point!

Don’t be miserable . . . but realize that fine arts degrees aren’t very profitable these days!

Please don’t worry, give yourself a break. The first year of any course can be full of doubts, I think it’s natural considering the investment you’re making.

Apologies if this is a bit vague, it’s stuff I’m still working out for myself…

You have to decide what you value higher, art or money. At this stage in your development, who knows how much you can accomplish? You are exactly where you need to be. Your art would suffer, not your social life if you took up another degree.

I’m assuming you are fairly young, but even if you were 40 there would still be time to do an online degree AFTER this one. If you started a new career at 40, it would be likely you would work in it for 30 years.

The economic situation is terrifying, but those who can think creatively will keep themselves going.

I’m not from a privileged background but my incredible family helped me get through an art degree. I’ve never made huge sums of money but most of the time made enough to live on and to have a little fun with. The times I haven’t made enough to live on have been **** but you waitress or do temp work, whatever. If you decide you want to live a comfortable and financially stable life that is also FINE, make yourself happy. But you can make these decisions later, for now concentrate on getting everything you can from your course. Most importantly, I feel like I have lived as fully as I could, the lows and the highs, and am still trying to push my craft further… Ugh sounds wanky I know.

“Don’t ask yourself what the world needs. Ask yourself what makes you come alive and then go do that. Because what the world needs is people who have come alive.” Howard Thurman

And if the things have I’ve written have confirmed that this ISN’T right for you, then get out and find something else.

A friend from my course died unexpectedly at 24 earlier this year. Whatever you do, make yourself happy, keep yourself well.

Good luck.

You’re very welcome. You sound courageous, and fortune favours the bold…

Best of luck!