I know I might wax a bit too phylosophic on this topic so please take what I say with a grain of salt. Realize I am still paying off my student loans too. I received my associates in Horticulture and enjoyed what I was doing and the job I had. After a short time in the field, I realized I really enjoyed the design aspect of the job and went back to school for my Bachelor of Landscape Architecture. I did it because it was something I really enjoyed doing and wanted to learn more about
it. When I graduated and found a job with a landsacpe architecural design firm, that is when it became work. I have since gone on and gotten a master in business. In looking back, I realized I did it because I enjoyed both aspects of the career. I loved designing, meeting with clients, selling my design ideas, and seeing the final project being used close to what was invisioned. I loved many aspects of running a business, developing business strategies, marketing the firm, and seeing projects that I workded on receiving national recognition (all ego driven stuff). I didn't enjoy payroll, cash flow, contract management, and personnel issues. Those all became part of the job that made it become work.
How does this relate, I went to school and learned about
things I loved and wanted to learn about
. It made me a better person. Helped me to understand what it was like to set goals and acheive those goals. I don't regret the college years, yes I do regret the student loans, because I not only learned about
my career but I learned that I am a survivor. I can and did accomplish what I set my mind to and did it with a chronic illness.
The time you spent in college is much the same way. It wasn't and never will be a waste. Good was accomplished even if it is just knowing you can complete and overcome a major challenge. I tis easy to look back and say what a waste, I am not getting out of this financially what I had hoped, try and find the intangibles that you gained from your college experience. There are many if you choose to look.
We can respond to irritation with a smile instead of scowl, or by giving warm praise instead of icy indifference. By our being understanding instead of abrupt, others, in turn, may decide to hold on a little longer rather than to give way. Love, patience, and meekness can be just as contagious as rudeness and crudeness.