College or no college?

[Callirai]

I feel more passionately about my art and writing than I do anything with psychology. Another reason that I have been rethinking things is because anytime I come to a decision about my career, I end up changing my mind about it later. This is why I am opting for a degree that can be used in many different ways if that is the path I choose. However, with my art and writing, I have always thought that someday I would become an author or artist or both. I have never given up on that dream. Even when thinking about school I have always had the thought that if I could build my art and/or writing career, that is what I would do opposed to whatever degree I got. I feel like a big reason I am considering school is because it is deemed "bad" in a sense, to not have a degree. But I don't really know if it is the best choice for me. And if I go to school I wouldn't have nearly enough time to practice my art.

[Maps]

I went to art school for a year and realized it was going to be too competitive of a profession for me. I left after my first year and pursued English and Applied Linguistics.
I now work at a college and write/draw in my free time. There are so many resources online that I think help me with my writing and my art, so I’m happy to have those.
If you think psychology is your passion, go for it, but also continue to draw and write at the side. They’re wonderful hobbies. If you ever realized that your work is taking off, then maybe you can focus more on the freelance work.

[Callirai]

Thanks. I think that I didn't know what I would go to college for for such a long time that once i decided I got excited. But now that I am debating postponing it, I am afraid of the failure either way that I decide to go...Ugh!!! Decisions are no fun!

[Maps]

Even English was kind of a risk for me. I knew that I might not get the best paying job with an English degree, but I loved everything about it. I’m so glad I did it because I enjoyed it.
I think it’s important to do what you love and look at the bigger picture. I realized that getting an MA would likely help me find a better job with more pay, which is why I went through with that as well.
But I definitely don’t want to dissuade you away from an art degree. Maybe you’ll find a lot of success out of it! It was just my personal experience where I found that it would likely not be the best profession for me.
Decisions are hard, but I’m sure that whatever path you’ll take, you’ll make it work.

[Callirai]

Thank you! That helps. I'm still not sure what my decision will be, but all of the responses on here are definitely helping me weigh the pros and cons.

[Kat]

So... I'd recommend college or trade school for several reasons.
One is that if you have a bachelor's degree in any field, you have a lot more job opportunities than if you don't. Even if it's not a job specifically related to your major, more things will open up to you. You could still be a nanny with or without a degree, but with a degree you could be something else too if you so choose.

You can grow an art career with or without an art degree. There are a ton of online resources and classes that are way cheaper than college. The difficult thing here is that you'll be working remotely and disciplining yourself. If that's not your thing, college might be better. You can always change your major later if it doesn't seem to be working for you or if you'd like to keep art as a side thing. Choosing to go to college doesn't mean you're locked in to only one path for the rest of your life- it gives you more options rather than less. It's okay to enroll in college and be "Undeclared" while you figure yourself out.

You'll meet great friends and colleagues that you will have a much harder time finding outside of college or the professional world. If you put yourself in a place where bright and creative people are, you're more likely to find that rubbing off on you. The friends you make in college can be friends for life, and the connections you make can create really solid networks for employment later on.

Finally- whatever you choose won't be wasted. You'll learn, grow, work hard, and gain proficiency in something valuable. Your experiences will shape you and you'll grow from them, whatever you choose. The most devastating thing you can do to your future self is be paralyzed by fear and fail to act. Make the best choice you can and move forward, knowing you can change course as needed.

(I'll admit my bias right here: I did get a degree in art, I am employed in artsy fields and I freelance, I'm doing pretty okay financially and getting paid to teach and create art. It can happen!)

[Callirai]

Thank you! Your input sounds great. Another worry I had was that even after college, if I went into a field from the degree that I may not have time for my art. But maybe I could have more opportunities that may more for less hours, such as a therapist or something like that. That would make it so I could still afford bills but have time for art. This will definitely be added to the pros list!

[fluffybonezz]

Got my Associates in computer animation, heading back to school sometime this year for a Bachelors. Some people say that you don't need a degree to work in art/animation/etc, but I think you have more job opportunities with a degree than you would without one. So if you can afford it, it's definitely worth it.

You can also get your degree online from various places, and that's a valid option too, but if you can go to a brick-and-mortar college I think that's the better choice. The tuition for some of the online places can be sky high, and you'll have an easier time networking and making good friends at a "real" college.

[ZacZh]

Going to college but not an art degree, unless you are trying to make money with some...uh...”serious art”.

College gives you a more safer option for a lifetime career. The truth is the truth. Everyone has a dream, but it can be too fancy to achieve.

I will be master student. And my program is not a professional program. I have to deal with research, and most probably I have to pursue a PhD. I hate this but this can be the best way for me. Drawing can only be a part-time thing for me. It is my hobby, not a career.

However if you love this, and have confidence with it...and you can deal with frustration and disappointment (sorry to say so, but lots of people are bad at this)...then go for it! You are young and can make attempts.

Good luck！

[Callirai]

thanks you for the advice. All of this has really helped me. I think I will opt for the psychology degree. That way I have a backup plan. If my art career ever kicks off then I will be lucky enough to have multiple choices in my life.

[laurendeland]

I went to college for art and my take away is the best thing I gained was contacts.Some of the professors and students/friends I went to school with helped me get recommendations and my first full-time job in design. The connections you make in college can be the best part honestly. Nothing beats face-to-face interactions with like-minded people on the regular. Plus while taking classes for your psychology degree there's probably not much (other than expense) stopping you from taking some art/writing electives too, right? Good luck!

[Luminosophy]

I'm in a similar position to you, only my problem is I don't know what to study because I actually a certificate in Pre-Employment Electrician but have not been able to land a single apprenticeship in the year I've been looking, because now a days even entry-level jobs require "experience", lol. Trades are pretty much out the window in my area anyway, the economy in oil and gas went bust. I want to say college is worth it, and it should be. But the true issue is if there's actual demand for whatever degree/ cert you're paying for.

[ZacZh]

That’s what I am trying to say. Take care!

[skicoak]

Let me say a few things...

First, never think of college/advanced schooling as solely a route to get a specific job/profession. If you're doing it right, you're making yourself a better person, in a much broader spectrum, than just one career path. I have a degree in something I'll never do professionally... but the experiences I gained from getting it... influence every decision I make. Even if you only take a few classes here and there, it makes you better.

Second thing, you're not obligated to follow "one" path throughout your life. In fact, you're likely to have many careers in your life time. You aren't making a life ruining mistake if you choose the wrong job... or even the wrong dream. There's always time to start over/try something else.

I wish you the best whatever you choose....and maybe...again later, if you choose something else.

[nrgcomics]

Here's what someone wise once told me-

If you can afford college, you shouldn't be attending it.

[LilySmash]

That's an interesting way to see it.

I personally can't afford it xD

[Rasp]

Cost shouldn't be a factor in higher education. It shouldn't... but it is.

Now I'm a college drop out and proud of it but I dropped out because it wasn't a good fit and I was able to get by. I dunno if I'd recommend art school I had a friend who did that she's still working at the same retail store she was working in but has way more debt! She did say she learned a bunch and getting out of her comfort zone was a good experience but was it worth it? I dunno

[Callirai]

I did decide to change my major to art and I I am currently taking some classes. Tho, I plan on stopping out after this semester. I have many reasons. One being that I dont have the money for it. Tho another is that I want to be a freelance artist. I decided an art degree would help me get a job in the industry as a backup plan. This way I could still do art as a career, even if it wasn't exactly how I wanted. Though, I recently realized that you do not at all need a degree to get into the industry. I decided I will instead learn and push myself on my own. I may purchase some non school affiliated courses online that can teach me some things. Though I do not think it is necessary for me to get a degree and pay more money. Especially when I would have to take classes that I didn't want during the course of getting my degree. But if I choose to take classes or online courses now, it will be cheaper and exactly what I want. Sorry for the rant. I hope that makes at least a little sense.

[Hodge]

ah I don't think I'm experienced enough to give career advice, but I actually enjoy discussing the career planning and business side of things (except taxes) if you want to chat~

Congrats on going freelance! I stumbled into freelance art out of necessity my senior year of uni (non-art degree) and did it (still kinda do) for a year until focusing more on my own comic. It can be scary and the hustle can get tiring, but it is doable! And I really recommend using a lot of online educational resources as well.

[Tornex]

If it's just a backup plan, don't do it, you can score a stable job and income but if it's not fulfulling then it's pointless.

I think that's the keyword, go for what feels fulfulling to you, that one thing that will have your 90 years old self looking back and say "I didn't get rich but hell I loved what I did".