Not planning on college.

[Brandy456]

You guys know i'm homeschooled, right?
and because I have anxiety about school ?

anyways, .. because of all this, i'm really not planning on college/university.
I mean, i'd love to, but I know I coudlnt do it. Now, don't be saying 'you can do anything you put your mind to' because it's not that easy for me.
Why spend 15,000+$ tuition when my anxiety would hold me from going half the time.
Anyways, I was wondering what kind of careers are possibilities to support myself as an adult, and do things I'd want to do (save, buy a car/house)

I was going to take Makeup Artistry, since it was a dream I guessed it wouldn't be so hard on me, but I have extremely shaky hands, and if I concentrate on something to long I get dizzy.
I did my friends makeup last week, and I had to stop a few times.

Anyways,
Career options?

 

[NorthernAutumn]

The better paying jobs generally require some form of post secondary education, be it college, university, apprenticeship, or technical school. There is also a distance education program at most institutions that allows you to work from home.

However, I would really encourage you to work actively, alongside top professionals in your field. You learn so much by watching, copying, and listening to these folks who are at the top of their game

With makeup artistry, you would likely be attending a beauty school. There is a strong focus on the technical aspect, so at least you would be doing a lot of hands on work, rather than bookwork.

Re. the shaking, you would likely build up stamina, the longer you work at it. It certainly requires discipline.
Heck, my mom and I both shake like crazy, but we are great biology lab technicians. I find my shaking decreases as I get more confident in my work.

Why not call the Ottawa Academy, and ask to talk to someone about your career aspirations? I think they would be happy to talk to you, and let you know what is involved.
http://www.ottawaacademy.com/

I think this is a very achievable dream for you

Apprenticeship in the trades may also be a good fit. You can learn more through the highschool in your area, or through this site :
http://www.edu.gov.on.ca/eng/tcu/apprentices/oyap.html

A number of my friends exited highschool through the OYAP program. These guys & girls became top-notch mechanics, carpenters and other tradespeople, and they are driving some gorgeous cars, making mad money!

This is a good starting point:
http://www.edu.gov.on.ca/eng/tcu/employmentontario/training/

Hope this helps a bit!

 

[okiron]

So is the anxiety with a school setting or social setting?

 

[Brandy456]

Thanks Autumn , I was actually at Ottawa Academy this morning , ironic.
I was thinking the more hands on work would help me.

Rina, both, but more setting.

 

[Korr_and_Sophie]

You can do an apprenticeship for most trades. You would basically learn by doing from someone who knows what they are doing. If you wanted to do makeup, you would start with basic stuff and work up to the more complicated stuff as you get better. You would tend to be working in a small salon, so there won't be a ton of people or a classroom setting, it is more one-on-one. The length varies and you may be required to work at the salon for a certain period after the apprenticeship is over. Depending on what you actually do, you may need to do some class work, but the classes would tend to be small and not too long.

For the most part, you do need some sort of higher education to get a god job. For some careers, you can do online courses or other courses that have small classes and hands on learning.

I would say that you should try to find something you are interested in and find a way to be able to do it. If you really want to do a certain career, then you should be able to find a way that you can do it.

 

[NorthernAutumn]

I loved the hands on work I did as a natural resource technician.
Looked forward to field work all the time.
I'm sure you will excel - you've got a great sense of style and beauty.

Oh yeah; remember to shop around at the various beauty training institutes. Maybe ask a makeup technician whose work you admire for some advice on the best schools?

There must be a makeup artist forum somewhere!

 

[missyscove]

Have you talked to someone and considered medication for the anxiety? I'm in my 3rd year of college at Cornell University and I have several friends with severe anxiety issues that are medicated for it.
Personally, I'd hate to settle on what I want to do for the rest of my life because of 4 years of college.

Still, there are certainly distance learning and online options for many courses, though it depends a lot on what your interests are (you can't really have a great organic chemistry lab with an NMR and such in your own home, you know?)

 

[Brandy456]

The doctors don't want to prescribe me anything,
it's a long story, but to shorten it up ;
I could sleep 20 hours a day if I wanted, I'm ALWAYS tired.
So, any anti-anxiety medication would add on to that, and I dont want to sleep my life away

 

[tonyshuman]

Not a doctor here, but you may also be depressed. When I'm off my meds (for both depression and anxiety), I sleep all day and stay up late at night worrying. It's an awful cycle--the anxiety makes it hard to get to sleep and when I finally do get to sleep, and then it's time to get up, I just don't feel like getting out of bed and making my head start moving again.

On a different note, the best thing you can do for yourself is to get some basic education, like starting in a general studies program, online if that's what you're most comfortable with, OR getting some specialized training via a trade school or apprenticeship. The reason I recommend general studies is that it sounds like you don't know what you want to do yet, so keeping a broad course of study will help no matter what you do end up choosing. I'm 7 years post-high school and still not sure 100% on what I want to do. Luckily, all the education I have gotten in the meantime has at least not been detrimental to a career in the field of my changing interests.

You might want to take an online quiz to get an idea of what area you want to work in, whether it's with people, technology, ideas, or manual. Most careers are a combination of the three. For instance I work mostly with ideas and technology, and a little bit with people and with my hands (as a research scientist). Someone who did social work, for instance, would work mostly with people and ideas. Someone who works at a bank would work with people and technology. Someone who does makeup would work with people and with their hands. What of these things appeals to you? I know working with people isn't my favorite thing, and I love technology and new ideas, so my job right now is perfect.

 

[Anaira]

Oh, mate, I am EXACTLY where you are now, that's freaky. I'm also homeschooled (final year), and trying to decide what to do with life; I also have social anxiety.

I've almost decided to take a gap year, and just work; starting off with part-time, and maybe then full-time. I'm already doing casual full-time work, and I'm suprising myself, (and every one who knows me!) how well I'm coping. True, I do have an older brother who works at the same place to hide behind if neccessary, but I'm still managing. More or less.

BTW, I think Make-up Artistry sounds an awesome career.

 

[akane]

I wish I was home schooled. :/ I probably would have less anxiety about school and dealing with people if I hadn't experienced all the crap that was 7th through 12th grade.

A few suggestions. First not all medication will make you sleepy. Everyone reacts differently. Basic anxiety meds like SSRI's(paxil, zoloft, prozac) actually make it impossible for me to sleep and jittery like drinking way too much caffiene. If you aren't doing much at the time anyway it's worth trying to see if it actually does make you too sleepy.

Second get a sleep study and some blood tests. If you are tired all the time despite more than 8-10hours of sleep odds are you either have a sleeping disorder and aren't actually sleeping properly during that time (that would be me) or you have another health problem like a vitamin deficiency. My sister suffers anemia from iron deficiency and gets really tired if she doesn't take supplements.

Take a supplement. Just go to the store get a good multivitamin/mineral and take it daily. With that there are a few over the counter things to try. Look in to racetams, piracetam being the most common. These help communication in the brain and make it easier to concentrate as well as making you more alert and less sleepy. Unlike caffiene they don't generally interfere with sleep, cause addiction, or have other health risks. Oxiracetam is the best IMO because it's flavorless and less likely to cause any side effects but it's the hardest and most expensive to find. Again these are otc supplements although you will probably have to order racetams online.

If none of that helps have you thought about an online only degree? There are a few you can get that only involve doing classes over the internet. My husband is going back to school with work paying for it by doing all his classes online. I do about half my classes online.

Last if you just can't do it I suggest finding a temporary job for now, get out in to the world, and a surprising amount of anxiety goes away. All I wanted when I graduated highschool was a break from it all and my mom forced me in to college immediately with 19 credit hours a semester. After a year of that I finally reached my limit, walked out of a class to never return, and moved in to a rental house on my own. 6 months later I started martial arts classes and aside from that I was basically a hermit for another 2 years with free state health insurance because of my low income. Eventually though I gained the confidence to start dating and go back to college. A year later I'm married and half way through my computer programming degree. As you grow up and get more experiences a lot of your anxiety over things goes away.

French class may kill me though...

 

[Mrs. PBJ]

If you like animals you could work in a vets office. Here is texas at least you dont have to go to school for vet tech a vet can train you and you take a test after so many hours.

also prison guard my husband has no college education but we do pretty good for ourselves we could raise a couple of kids and get a house if we would save money.

 

[Nancy McClelland]

You might also want to talk with a counselor at a college. They are pretty flexible and an make all kinds of arrangements to acclimate special needs. When I was there a couple of decades back, a moving van ran a red light and hit my patrol car and came pretty close to voiding my warranty. A counselor made arrangements so that someone could take notes for me and even took me from class to class. Doesn't hurt to check.

 

[EileenH]

Nancy McClelland is right - there are lots of options for anxiety in college.

There is also the option of online education. I am just starting an online bachelor's program - no social anxiety there.
However, my bigger concern for you is not the anxiety about college, but how you will handle things when you need to get a job. It might be a good idea to go to a brick-and-mortar college to work on your anxiety, so when you need to find a job you will be less anxious in the interviewing process and work environment.

 

[Brandy456]

tonyshuman wrote:

Not a doctor here, but you may also be depressed. When I'm off my meds (for both depression and anxiety), I sleep all day and stay up late at night worrying.

I am. And my doctor are aware, but I think everyone is in denile. lol.

 

[Brandy456]

akane wrote:

Second get a sleep study and some blood tests. If you are tired all the time despite more than 8-10hours of sleep odds are you either have a sleeping disorder and aren't actually sleeping properly during that time (that would be me) or you have another health problem like a vitamin deficiency.

I have a B12 deficiency which supposedly causes this, but after my vitamins are taken, it's the same.(although my B12 levels go up, so it's doing something right)

 

[Brandy456]

EileenH wrote:

Nancy McClelland is right - there are lots of options for anxiety in college.

There is also the option of online education. I am just starting an online bachelor's program - no social anxiety there.
However, my bigger concern for you is not the anxiety about college, but how you will handle things when you need to get a job. It might be a good idea to go to a brick-and-mortar college to work on your anxiety, so when you need to find a job you will be less anxious in the interviewing process and work environment.

I've worked before, i'm alright with working.

 

[EileenH]

Well that's good! I would go and speak with a counselor at school and see what options are offered - I know there are programs to help students with these kind of concerns.

 

[Brandy456]

Thanks guys, so much

 

[iluvdutchrabbbits90]

I am also homeschooled because I can't stand the people their a bunch of nasty kids. I'm going to jvs for a vet teck course next year I will only have to be their 2 hours a day