What to do next?

[Marco Polo]

Hello there Dudes,

I started new topic because, well, I got some problem. OK - right now I'm quite good but at the same time I'm a little bit worried about my future.

I'm 17, nearly 18, I live in Poland and I go to High School.

As you might know, here in Poland schools are very stressful. Teachers want us to learn crap we won't need in future. They like to give us a shitload of homeworks, they do tests almost every fuckin' day. I have some problems with some subjects but, hey, the Dude abides, right?

The problem is I don't know what to do next, after finishing high school. I mean, I'd love to live from writing, I'm quite good at it, but it's sooo hard being a writer these days. Especially in Poland where people don't read anymore. Probably I'll never get a penny from my short stories or novels.

My parents want me to go to college after I pass my exams (if I pass my exams...) but I just can't imagine myself being in school for next 5 years or even more. I'm just tired of it. Plus, there is no work for people with humanistic abilities. I thought about journalism, I even collaborate with some big daily newspaper but I found it very stressful. And this is no what The Dude likes most...

Could someone give me some tips, pointers, advices...? I'd appreciate it.

Mateusz

[Rev. Ed C]

Well, Mat, let me start by saying that I totally sympathise with your situation.  I can't give you "advice", but I can only relate to your my own situation and how that's gone for me here in the UK these past 12 years since I was your age.

I was never one for learning what I was told I should learn, and I never crammed for exams because if I didn't know it by now it felt like cheating to cram, pass the exam and then forget it.  I'm much more one for natural learning, not enforced study, and I did OK in my exams, and in fact am usually overqualified for the sorts of jobs I ended up doing.

I was very lucky that my parents, despite being very very smart people, didn't go to university, and so they didn't think I was wasting my potential by not going.  I know plenty of people who DID feel pressured, and that should never be.  I can only hope that yours will come to understand the problems such pressures might cause, if not just to your immediate happiness, but to your long-term prospects for getting on with your life the way that will make you happiest in the future!

So, at 18 I left school and went out there to make my contribution to society in exchange for a modest bucket of monkey chow (he's gotta be fed!).  I had no idea what I wanted to do because over the years all the things I seemed most interested in just didn't grab me so hard that it would have been worth the massive effort.  It was in the last two years I was at school that I discovered my own skills in writing and planned to put those to use.  Alas, you're right, it;s not easy unless you're really motivated, persistant and indeed, lucky!  Some of the best authors of the lat 50 years have nearly never made it to publishing.

Over the years my inspiration has dried up and I've mostly stopped writing, which was a shame, but I've been blessed with being given a regular column writing for the Dudespaper.  It's great because there's no pressure, you just submit an article when you've got one and it fills a gap.  It is truly a dudely publication!  It's been a big help on unleashing my literary/creative side from inside my stuffy brain

As for jobs, I've managed to do OK over the years putting my natural skills and talents to use in offices and other environments where I can make things run smoothly, from being an office assistant, to he post-room guy, to the maintenance/stock guy and just that useful guy that every workplace needs.  I'm not in a high-paying job, but I get a decent enough wage for my simple, non-decadent, dudely lifestyle and there's little to no real pressure.

Most writers have gotten little jobs like that on the road to becoming a part-time journalist and ultimately a full-time novellist. Getting a job that's not too hard, pays OK and still makes you feel like you're making a contribution and helping other people out is a good way to go if you have no other career aspirations and you're wanting to write in your spare time and try and make something of that, I think.

I can only hope that my story helps you see what sort of options there are and how to make the best of a seemingly bad situation.  I also wish you luck with your writing and hope to see you make a contribution to the Dudespaper sometime.

Until then, kick back, relax and, well... the bar's over there, man

[BikerDude]

I have a degree in Lit and the advice I was given as a student by a very good prof I had was to go out and do stuff that will give you something to write about. Knowing how to write is the smallest part of being a great writer. It's having enough life experiences to develop a perspective.

My advise is to go with the flow and not get too uptight when you are 18 years old.
I went against my parents wishes and moved out getting a job in a factory because I didn't feel like just going to college as grade 13. Take you time and see where life leads.
When you have a real passion for something college will be there.

[Rev. Gary (revgms)]

There is some good advice up there^^.

One thing to contemplate is look where the pressure you feel really comes from, people including your parents can tell you that there are all these things you must do, they can tell you until they are blue in the face, but the pressure comes from within. Maybe it's the pressure you apply to your self to make them happy in their expectations for you, but it is you who is causing you the anxiety. Not that listening to well meaning people who want what they see as best for you is a bad thing, you just have to learn how to take it, to take it in stride and try to be understanding of them.

The only real advice I can offer is be honest, especially with your self, accepting things as they are is key to abiding.

[cckeiser]

Follow your passion.

[Marco Polo]

Thanks for all replies, I really appreciate it.

@Rev. Ed C

"I'm not in a high-paying job, but I get a decent enough wage for my simple, non-decadent, dudely lifestyle and there's little to no real pressure."

Job like this would be dreams come true

"Getting a job that's not too hard, pays OK and still makes you feel like you're making a contribution and helping other people out is a good way to go if you have no other career aspirations and you're wanting to write in your spare time and try and make something of that, I think."

Yeah, I think the same

"Until then, kick back, relax and, well... the bar's over there, man"

It's good for absolutely everything

@BikerDude

I agree with what you said about writing. My favourite writer, Charles Bukowski, stopped writing for ten years in order to gain some life experiences. Thanks for the advice about going with the flow

@revgms

"The only real advice I can offer is be honest, especially with your self, accepting things as they are is key to abiding."

Thanks for this one! I'll remember about what you said.

@cckeiser

I definitely will

Once again - thanks for inspiration

[cckeiser]

Thanks for all replies, I really appreciate it.

@Rev. Ed C

"I'm not in a high-paying job, but I get a decent enough wage for my simple, non-decadent, dudely lifestyle and there's little to no real pressure."

Job like this would be dreams come true

"Getting a job that's not too hard, pays OK and still makes you feel like you're making a contribution and helping other people out is a good way to go if you have no other career aspirations and you're wanting to write in your spare time and try and make something of that, I think."

Yeah, I think the same

"Until then, kick back, relax and, well... the bar's over there, man"

It's good for absolutely everything

@BikerDude

I agree with what you said about writing. My favourite writer, Charles Bukowski, stopped writing for ten years in order to gain some life experiences. Thanks for the advice about going with the flow

@revgms

"The only real advice I can offer is be honest, especially with your self, accepting things as they are is key to abiding."

Thanks for this one! I'll remember about what you said.

@cckeiser

I definitely will

Once again - thanks for inspiration

Oh, and by the way...welcome to the forum dude!

[Lao Dude]

I have a degree in Lit and the advice I was given as a student by a very good prof I had was to go out and do stuff that will give you something to write about. Knowing how to write is the smallest part of being a great writer. It's having enough life experiences to develop a perspective.

My advise is to go with the flow and not get too uptight when you are 18 years old.
I went against my parents wishes and moved out getting a job in a factory because I didn't feel like just going to college as grade 13. Take you time and see where life leads.
When you have a real passion for something college will be there.

College is overrated unless you feel it is underrated...just explore