Feeling a bit depressed ...

[Leeana]

I dont even know where to start. This is going to be long, but i just need to vent and write.

So much has been going on lately. For one, its so crappy outside and just looking outside makes you feel like crap. I think im just sick of winter and am looking forward to so much this summer, but its so far away.

Then at school all week we've had colleges visiting, which hasnt helped. I know not many agree with me, but i dont want to go to college. In order for me to even think about college that would mean selling every horse i own, that is the main reason i dont want to go. All my friends have there applications in and are going to Geogia, Indiana and one got into some College down in Datona Beach Flordia! I mean im happy for them and all, but its just hitting me that in 3 more months i will never see any of my friends ever agian. Then to top that off, there is the whole 'what am i going to do without college' thing. I know i could work at TSC or Elmwood (nursing home, i worked there over the summer) and get by fine but i dont know if i want to do that the rest of my life.

Everyone is leaving Ohio, i want to leave Ohio. If i could get things my way i want to move to Michigan when im about 19 or 20. I want a joe schmo job, i dont want to wear a fancy dress everyday and work in some big business office. I want a nice small house with a barn & pasture. Already got my car, which is easy on gas as any car i've ever drove! Then there is all that i will miss here in Ohio if i did that. My parents, my brothers. That would be a complete new life if i moved to Michigan in a couple years, which i really wouldnt mind. Sometimes people need to start over.

When i use to have weeks like this, i use to go riding. But NOPE, 1/2in of Ice out and mid winter ....yep there is that depressing winter agian ooops almost forgot, no big horses to ride. I want to start riding agian this summer but no big horse to ride. Its just so frustrating. Dad said he wouldnt mind having a riding horse around agian and he has the room ...we just cant afford to buy a $6,000 horse and ironically all the Quarter Horses i see that i like are $6,000. THEN AGIAN, i somewhat know i wont have time to ride this summer as much as i want to and it would waist my time and my dads money. Its so frustrating!!!! This whole weeks has just been completely crazy

:!

Then i have a horse judging compition practice next saturday for FFA and Mt. Hope is having there sale and i REALLY want to go to this one just to check out the QH's/Haflingers they have there even thought i dont plan to buy, i just love to check them out. Its only a practice but i feel that being VicePres. of the horse judging group its my responsibility to be at EVERY meeting. But its only a practice and i havnt missed a practice that i can remember and this one just happens to e on the Mt Hope sale day next saturday. Zimmerman (my ag./ffa teacher) decided to throw this decision at me this morning to .

I know im just venting and having a bad day ...but im going nuts at the moment :lol:

I think this winter weather has finially drove me mad!

..i feel better though after writing that.

If only i had 10 million dollars, all my problems would be solved :bgrin

Leeana

 

[sfmini]

I remember feeling the same way about college. I did change my mind, went to Meredith Manor to learn horse training and riding instruction but discovered quickly that for one thing the pay was awful, no insurance, limited to keeping one horse. Sooooo, I finally did go to college and got my degree in computer science. Coco, I wear jeans to work, do my 40 hours and come home to MY 70 acre farm driving my Xterra, drive past my dually and horse trailer on the way to my house. Then off to feed our 25+ horses. I can choose their names, how they are trained, where to show and in what classes. That is the freedom a good job buys you. I have great health, dental, vision, and life insurance. Loads of vacation time, work weekdays only, no weekends, no nights, catch my drift girl?

Oh, and I left Ohio for good a few times. Lived in West Virginia, Florida, and Illinois. Back to Ohio I came and remain to this day.

BTW, I am taking a colt to the Diamond C auction this weekend in Delaware, Ohio. This will be the first mini for their sale, wish me luck!!!

 

[tuffsmom]

I know what you mean, about the thought of college just giving you a headache. But you really need something to support yourself with.

I went to a junior college (two days a week, that's it) for two years. I completed the LVN program, and I have never worked as a nurse a day in my life! Heck, I don't even know if I have what it takes to be a nurse. My parents both hold masters degrees, and I still catch crap about it, but I'm not dead nor am I doomed for a life of poverty. I like where I am today.

You don't have to go for that four year degree...think about an Animal Science program, or an agriculture program (things you are interested in), like a 6 month course. It's not near as intimidating, and it's very easy to see that light at the end of the tunnel. After you get that awesome feeling of accomplishing something, you might just be pumped enough to go again! Maybe for a 2 year degree, or maybe for another 6 month course, either way.

Take it slow, even if you're still going to school when you're 30...who's to say what's "right". I've thought about taking night classes to get my bachelors, and it probably won't get done till I'm 30, but who cares? When I was 18 and in college, there were people ages 40+ in my classes. There is no right or wrong when it comes to you being comfortable with your education.

The more education you can get, the better off in life you'll be. Even if you never use your degree, you'll always have that confidence that you CAN make it on your own. You'll never have to rely on anyone else to take care of you (or a MAN to take care of you, LOL!).

 

[Sonya]

It will be hard for you to survive financially on your own without a good job (unless you are a manager at TSC)...good jobs are hard to come by without a degree. You don't have to decide now - you can wait a couple years, that's what I did. I didn't go to college until I was 21 - to be honest I wish I had went right out of school and got it over with. I learned after 3 years of dead-end jobs that there is no way I could afford to live the way I wanted without going to college - I know you don't want to hear that, but it's the truth. College is much different than high school - there is really no comparison.

Also if the crappy winter weather has got you depressed (I'm with you on that one) - you don't want to move to Michigan - it's way worse than Ohio weather - believe me.

 

[Leeana]

What i am VERY interested in is Equine Management. I DONT want to train ext, i just dont want to do anything like that with horses. I would love nothing more then to spend my next 50 years working at a stable cleaning stalls, grooming horses, Bathing Horses, Walking Horses, lunging horses, making farrier appointment. Thats all stuff i could do ALL day long and enjoy it more then any normal human.

But i dont and cant go to college for 4 years for that.

I remember looking into this ...

http://www.kyhorsepark.com/khp/education/equinemngt.asp

Its a 6 month course, on equine management in Kentucky. If i did anything, i would like to do this. I just cannot dedicate the next 4 years of my life to sitting in a class room taking notes. This is the one thing that i am really interested in, i just dont know if i would make enouph money to support myself and the horses. I also wouldnt mind working there in the future after getting that course and taking care of the horses there, i think that would be pretty fair money.

I remember looking into Aniamal Science and seeing all the Biology and Chemesty ext. and that really threw me off, Animal Science was what i really liked ..then the horses came along and took over my life

:.

...its all just happening way to fast.

:

Thanks guys, i appreciate it so much.

Leeana

 

[Feather1414]

Leeana

I understand where you are. For the longest time, all I wanted to do was to train horse.

Then I looked around at various things, and now I want to become an equine geneticist, and maybe just a geneticist. I love genetics. I love medicine, but there is NO way I could do the curriculum to be a doctor.

 

[New_Image]

So uhhhh Michigan huh? You know there is a pretty decent TSC right here in Cadillac Michigan

:

Ok I got it, you be the barn manager, I'll be the trainer

: (Im no help I know)

Trust me Leeana, I have those very same days, my friends have such big plans! Going to this college and that, getting married, moving out of state but here I sit me and my horses, no real job yet, no car yet, I get by perfectly fine with my training for NOW but its time to do something with me - just not sure what. And no college for me either unless I decided to take a farrier corse & teeth floating corse just to save me money in the long run. I dont ask for much, Id love a job at a tack store or pet store or TSC, own a nice big barn, turn the top part into my house and there you have it. No big plans here either - all my friends are leaving as well, expept for Molly.. and Immy.. and Rodeo, Pixie and Mixie either.

 

[Marty]

Don't ever let a horse stand in the way of your education.

Go to college and get a great education.

Horses will always be available to you when you get out, and so will a good paying job with a future that will enable you to wear jeans and buy your own place.

College Education = Good job

Farm

Horses

A Joe Schmoe job = lots of struggling to get by......

 

[midnight star stables]

Leena, I have no helpful info, just Hugs. Your in my thoughts. I feel really low right now too :no: I've been really sick, weathers been crap, loads of homework....

 

[wade3504]

No college equals no good job. No good job equals struggle to keep horses. When I went to college I had to sell my thoroughbred and it hurt but I knew it was something I had to do. You could also look into financial aid for college or scholarships. There might even be something available through FFA.

Amanda

 

[Kim]

I know how hard it can be to decide what you want to do with your life--been there! There's nothing at all wrong with taking a year or two (or more!) after high school working at 'nothing' type jobs while you decide what you like.

One thing you should realize, though, is that you really are not going to make much money working as an Equine groom/support staff - probably not even enough to be able to afford much of a horse habit. There are lots of other things you can do in terms of education, though, other than a 4-year college degree. Take a look at 2-year diploma programs. Some of them can be very useful. Try to maybe find something that teaches you a skill rather than getting a University degree. Lots of 4-year college degrees are pretty useless anyway, in terms of getting a good job, especially Arts degrees.

This might sound silly, but have you considered learning a Trade? In Canada, at least, there is a huuuge shortage of Tradespeople, and you can earn well over $100,000 per year at many Trades.

Don't do a 4-year college degree just because you think it's something you should do - there are many other ways to get an 'education' that will allow you to be able to earn enough to support many horses!

Good Luck!

 

[justaboutgeese]

If you stop to think that one kick or bite from a horse could potentially prevent you from ever mucking out a stall or pushing a wheelbarrow again should be enough to motivate you to have somthing to fall back on. I doubt that a job at TSC or some other menial job will ever pay you enough to afford to own a piece of land with a house and barn. Let alone an occassional enexpected vet bill or replace a car thats old and worn out , good on gas or not they will not last forever.

 

[KenBen]

Leeanna go to college and get an education so that you may get a decent job to afford a horse and your own property. You are a young lady and time is on your side. We have all gone through with the way you are feeling. Spring is now around the corner so cheer up.

Ken

 

[kaykay]

we all need to remember that college is not for everyone. If leanna WANTED to go to college i would be the first to say GO!! But getting a good job does not always equal a college degree. My husband doesnt have a college degree and makes more then our friends who do have one. My daughter who has always been college material just dropped out of a 4 year private college (after 3 years!!) that i paid thousands of dollars to send her to. Shes now taking a paralegal course UGHHHHHHHHH. For sure you need to know what you really want to do first and save yourself the heartache and lost money and time. to be successful you need to do somethign you love and are passionate about.

I really wish that we were more like our friends overseas where kids take a year off before they head to college. I think if my daughter had done that she might have had a clearer idea of what she wanted to do before she jumped into a 4 year college.

Leanna keep in mind that very few people really know what they want to do at 18. And most will change their minds many times during their working years

Also I have a friend in illinois that works at Big R (same thing as TSC) she makes a pretty dang good living

I dont think she would consider what she does as being "menial" She started at the bottom and worked her way up.

Kay

 

[dannigirl]

I know many people that are going on for more schooling a little at a time. Going to local colleges while working and taking one or two classes a semester. Even skipping a semester now and again. No need to make final plans now. Graduate high school and then find a job. With this new job, see how well you can make the payments you need to pay and realize you can't live with your parents forever. If this job doesn't do what you want it to, you can then start fitting some sort of schooling into your schedule. You will also have a little more life experience and may be better able to decide what you want to learn and what you are willing to do to learn it. Horses are wonderful friends, but the saddest thing that can happen is to not have the financial ability to care for their needs if an emergency arises.

The best of luck in whatever you decide, but please don't allow anyone else decide for you.

Angie

 

[stormy]

I think you have a bit of a wrong picture about universities. I have an animal science degree with an emphasis on farm management. Some time was spent in the classroom esp. the first year but than a great deal of the classes were hands on with the animals and the last 6 months was an internship at a great breeding farm. I kept my horse the whole time, just one though, showed him at the University shows, and landed a great job managing a breeding farm within 2 mths of graduation! Maybe you should set up some visits to see what is available, you may find this is a good way to get that job you would love!

 

[Crossbuck Farms]

Don't go to college because everyone says you have too. I know plenty of master degrees working at Burger King. I went to Technical School and got a 2 yr degree in 16 months. I worked that for 5 years off and on. Then the architectural market died. So know I own my own business and drive a school bus. I got my CDL. You should consider getting your CDL the pay is good. I also run horse camp on my farm in the summer. Life is never easy, I have had my share of money woes.

 

[Sue_C.]

TRADE-TRADE-TRADE...that's what you need. Like it has already been said...University does not make one the "know-all-be-all". Tradeschool will definately give you the advantage over waitressing or cashiering, and not cost big-bucks, or last forever.

Look at it this way...the biggest CEO of any company still has to call a plumber, electrician etc...and have you seen what their charges are???

:

 

[Sonya]

Others had mentioned "trade" schools and this is a good idea too. Basically that's what I did - it was a two year program and I got an associates, but it's still a trade - my degree is in Air Traffic Control.

I know you don't want to go to school, but take a break and work and you'll see how hard it is to survive working at some of the jobs you mentioned....sure you can get by with a lot of disciplining yourself and a good budget and you may just luck out and find something that will pay well after years of struggling, but remember horses are a luxury, and are extremely expensive to care for. If you want to keep horses - you've got to think about that. I too am a big fan of college - sure there are people out there with degrees who are working at McDonalds, but I can gaurantee they got the job over someone who doesn't have any college. It's tough today. Any of my friends from high school who didn't go to college are struggling at dead end jobs to get by, all the ones who went to school are living the life they desired.

Sure you don't want to give up your horses for school, but you may have to give them up to pay for groceries.

By the way - there are NO jobs in Michigan - if I was looking to move, this would be the last state I would even consider unless I had a good reason to move here - like family. The winters here are about 6 weeks-2months longer than what they are in Ohio. Fall lasts about 2 weeks. The only good thing about weather in this state is that it hardly ever gets humid in the summer, but summer is only about 2 months long! (Can you tell I don't care for Michigan much?)

Good luck in whatever you decided to do - wishing you the best.

 

[CMR]

I know exactly how you feel. I'm almost in your shoes(except I'm a couple years younger.) Although I'm already worrying about what I want to do, college, etc. I used to want to be a CFO(Chief Financial Officer) because I really love handling money and doing all sorts of money organizing, but after looking at everything involved with being a CFO, I realized I probably wouldn't become a CFO until I was 50 years old. I also realized that being a CFO would not make me happy. I'm not an inside person, nor a people person. I like to be outside, away from everyone, just me and my animals. I still do not know what I want to do, but I have eliminated one thing. My advice is just do what makes you happy(as long as it will support you also). Life isn't worth squat if you're unhappy all the time.