Should I go to community college?

[JonDoe]

I am a Canadian High School student in grade 12. I hate school. I love learning though, and I've taught myself all the computer skills I now have, which includes programming, web design, Linux, server admin, etc. When I find something interesting I research it until I think I've learned enough. I also run a web design business on the side, and when I come across a job requiring a new skill or programming langauge I learn that skill or language.

I don't learn well in classrooms, nor do I have any interest in them. I am quite successful with my business, making enough money to pay for my own server, blackberry, anything I want to buy myself, and I treat myself and my friends quite often.

I applied to the Nova Scotia Community College to get a diploma in Information Technology. I know somebody who went there, so I know that nothing there is very challenging. There are two or three languages I will learn that I don't know, but I don't know them because I don't use them. The result is a College Diploma.

After reading many of the articles on this site, I am starting to wonder if I should go to college. I would really like to move out of province, and rent an apartment until I can afford some land. I want a house where I am free to build stuff, and run expiriments (Model rocketry, and stuff like that). I want to continue running a web design business on my own.

What I would like is your opinions on college, pros and cons, potential benefits, and any other helpful information you can think of. College is a lot less expensive that university, but it's money I could be saving to buy tools and a house. For the stuff I want to build, I need a lot of tools!

[magikarp]

I'm in my first year of university and taking Computer Science. I don't know if that's similar enough for my advice to be useful to you, but I'll give it a try anyway. ;P

I'd recommend against college, unless you decide that's the only way to make stuff work financially. You'd probably be bored most of the time. You'd also probably not learn enough that you don't already know to make it worth your time.

University, and I'd assume college too, can be kind of useful if you have motivation issues. Even if you do nothing but go to class and listen, you'll pick up some stuff pretty easily. It's not as quick as if you were to teach it to yourself, but if you'd just be wasting time otherwise, it's an easy way to get something done. That doesn't seem like it's a big problem for you, though. If you already know a lot of what you would learn, and could easily teach yourself the rest, you'd likely be wasting your time in college.

What particularly do you dislike about school? That makes a difference, I think.

[JonDoe]

I have difficulty paying attention in a classroom environment. I don't learn well with people explaining a subject to me. I can learn pretty good by reading a book or similar resource, but I learn the best by doing something, by practicing it. College has a lot of hands on work, but it's not that challenging.

I also don't like taking notes, doing tests, and I really don't like the guidelines they give for assignments. If I do something in a different way than the teacher, even if my way is more efficient, easier, or better, I could and probably will lose points (Going from my Computer Programming class).

There is no way I would do university. 4 years of classroom studies is out of the question for me. The only reason I even bothered applying to the NSCC is because I was told I need a diploma to get a job. I've had my business for 4 years, but a lot of the people I talk to say "Well I meant a real job". Not sure what their definition of a "real job" is, because I work with others (Employees and clients), and I earn money.

If I decided to apply to Google, Ubisoft, or other big tech company, what are my chances without a diploma or degree? Even if I have adequate experience in the field, and a well built portfolio, am I likely to be turned down?

Thanks for the reply.

[SoulRiser]

Well, I signed up for a web design/development course in college. And that failed miserably... their "course" was about 5 years outdated and the other students kept asking me how to do stuff instead of the teachers.

So, I'm sure some other colleges are probably not that bad, but still... for web design or development, college really isn't necessary, especially since you are already running your own business. Why would you want to get a job if you've already in charge? And even if you do want a job, you already have a portfolio... so I don't think qualifications are really necessary. They'd only be a bonus I think. Considering how long it takes to get them... think how much other stuff you could do in that time.... you could MAKE more money instead of spending it on college. And you can do this as well.