did you go to university/college?

screamingskull · 05.02.2006, 02:44 PM

im trying to figure out if i should go to uni next year to study photography further or not, im currenty at college doing a Diploma in photography and after that the next level up is to go to uni and do a BA in it, my parents and teachers really want me to go, but i'd really like to go traveling instead. it will end up costing about the same amount of money, and i think i will really learn alot more traveling than i would at uni. doing both isnt really an option.

i just wanted to get an older persons perspective on this, did you go to uni or college?, or not?

do you regret going or not going?

what would you do if you were me?

Sheriff Rhys Chatham · 05.02.2006, 02:58 PM

im not older but I would travel. Why learn what other people are already doing?
as for me I plan on further education. Ive actually been looking at internet courses. The thing is I want to study electricity so I think a hands on course would be better.

Savage Clone · 05.02.2006, 02:58 PM

I will write on this later tonight.
I went, and dropped out in mid-senior year, which I have never regretted. I hated it, but did well. I would not know how much I hated it had I not gone though, and there were a few shreds of worthwhile experences (mostly outside the classroom).
If you go, go to a small school. I know far more people with positive experiences in smaller schools than larger ones.

lucyrulesok · 05.02.2006, 03:04 PM

i am going in september, and i still dont really know if its what i want. i certainly know its what everyone else wants for me. if i were you i'd follow your heart, cause i feel like i havent made my own decision, and im pretty unhappy about it right now (though i do realise that it could all change when i actually get there)
with something like photography i think its much more important that you get the experience of travelling and getting some work together. think about it, you could learn how everyone else takes their photos, or you could go to some awesome places and take some amazing photos and develop your own style.
also, a BA would be pretty academic, right? you should think about how disciplined you want to be in the next couple of years.

just my two pence worth, hope it helps

screamingskull · 05.02.2006, 03:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sheriff Rhys Chatham

im not older but I would travel. Why learn what other people are already doing?

thats what i keep telling my mum, i think i would learn alot more from 3 years traveling than i would doing 3 years of uni.

screamingskull · 05.02.2006, 03:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by lucyrulesok

i am going in september, and i still dont really know if its what i want. i certainly know its what everyone else wants for me. if i were you i'd follow your heart, cause i feel like i havent made my own decision, and im pretty unhappy about it right now (though i do realise that it could all change when i actually get there)
with something like photography i think its much more important that you get the experience of travelling and getting some work together. think about it, you could learn how everyone else takes their photos, or you could go to some awesome places and take some amazing photos and develop your own style.
also, a BA would be pretty academic, right? you should think about how disciplined you want to be in the next couple of years.

just my two pence worth, hope it helps

this is great advise thanks alot!. what uni are you going to/what are you studying?

nomadicfollower · 05.02.2006, 03:49 PM

Not going to vote.
I'm not old enough and I'm not yet sure if I'm going to go or not. So I can't say either way.

!@#$%! · 05.02.2006, 03:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by screamingskull

im trying to figure out if i should go to uni next year to study photography further or not, im currenty at college doing a Diploma in photography and after that the next level up is to go to uni and do a BA in it, my parents and teachers really want me to go, but i'd really like to go traveling instead. it will end up costing about the same amount of money, and i think i will really learn alot more traveling than i would at uni. doing both isnt really an option.

i just wanted to get an older persons perspective on this, did you go to uni or college?, or not?

do you regret going or not going?

what would you do if you were me?

you dont need a BA to be a great photographer.

if i were you:

what i'd do is travel around the world with my camera, come back with an ace portfolio & get a scholarship to study wherever i want, if i want.

or when i come back i could also just start working as a photographer & make $$ instead of paying for stupid courses in "critical theory" & "advanced balls". (i don't have pound signs if that's what you use)

remember: it's your life. DO NOT let others live it for you. and get the travel bug out of your system already!

--
ps. i have too much schooling. 2 BAs, a masters, 1/2 of a phD. i know what the fuck im talking about.

SpectralJulianIsNotDead · 05.02.2006, 03:59 PM

Your mom goes to college!

IntoTheGroovey · 05.02.2006, 04:00 PM

I just finished a week and a half ago.

krastian · 05.02.2006, 04:01 PM

Yeah it sucked and now I am $30,000 in debt.

screamingskull · 05.02.2006, 04:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by krastian

Yeah it sucked and now I am $30,000 in debt.

wow that really sucks!, what did you study? was it worth going?

!@#$%! · 05.02.2006, 04:06 PM

ps-- if you are not really motivated to go to college, you are going to suck at it & lose both money and education.

3 years traveling might be a bit much. tell them you want to travel for a year & then apply. (then you can get an extension until you are of legal age, ha hah, if you arent)

traveling can be hard! little money, working shit jobs-- all in fun but after a point you'll want to have some kind of life.

suggested reading: work your way around the world. but your camera, if you're good, might make you more $$ that temp jobs.

have fun!

Inhuman · 05.02.2006, 04:08 PM

I'm in college, and it was free for me cause' I live in Quebec

krastian · 05.02.2006, 04:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by screamingskull

wow that really sucks!, what did you study? was it worth going?

I majored in English and minored in Creative Writing Fiction. Was it worth it? Well as of now no because I do not have a decent job yet. That's why I went right? I had a blast partying and all that, but I would have been doing the same thing regardless if I was in college or not. I'd go if you have the opportunity because it seems to be getting harder and harder to find a job without some education which just shows that you can complete a task on yr own. Plus a Bachelors Degree is pretty much the new high school diploma.

johnnywinternoshow · 05.02.2006, 04:17 PM

there are definite advantages in doing an art based course at uni/art college in that you get to learn about the workings of the art world, build up contacts in galleries, arts groups and get valuable constructive criticism from tutors. My painting has definitely evolved and i've noticed at least 2 or 3 big changes in my work that wouldn never have happened if i'd been just fucking about on my own. I also find being in college and having regular checkpoints and assessments has motivated me to work my ass off.
The down side of my course, not sure if it's the same everywhere, is that there are quite a lot of people on it who I'm pretty sure have no interest in continuing and are just there cus they thought it was an easy life.

I know of people who have been successful at photography, specifically gig photography just by being in the right place at the right time or else constantly being out there taking photo after photo but without guidance from tutors or people already in the business i;d say it'd be a lot harder to get ni the door. Another plus in this is not having to do frigging essays but thats a small point

johnnywinternoshow · 05.02.2006, 04:17 PM

and as krastian says, it seems to truly stand out these days you need a masters

screamingskull · 05.02.2006, 04:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by !@#$%!

ps-- if you are not really motivated to go to college, you are going to suck at it & lose both money and education.

3 years traveling might be a bit much. tell them you want to travel for a year & then apply. (then you can get an extension until you are of legal age, ha hah, if you arent)

traveling can be hard! little money, working shit jobs-- all in fun but after a point you'll want to have some kind of life.

suggested reading: work your way around the world. but your camera, if you're good, might make you more $$ that temp jobs.

have fun!

thanks!

screamingskull · 05.02.2006, 04:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by johnnywinternoshow

there are definite advantages in doing an art based course at uni/art college in that you get to learn about the workings of the art world, build up contacts in galleries, arts groups and get valuable constructive criticism from tutors. My painting has definitely evolved and i've noticed at least 2 or 3 big changes in my work that wouldn never have happened if i'd been just fucking about on my own. I also find being in college and having regular checkpoints and assessments has motivated me to work my ass off.
The down side of my course, not sure if it's the same everywhere, is that there are quite a lot of people on it who I'm pretty sure have no interest in continuing and are just there cus they thought it was an easy life.

I know of people who have been successful at photography, specifically gig photography just by being in the right place at the right time or else constantly being out there taking photo after photo but without guidance from tutors or people already in the business i;d say it'd be a lot harder to get ni the door. Another plus in this is not having to do frigging essays but thats a small point

hmmm, that what i keeps comming down to, whats better qualifications or experience?

terminal pharmacy · 05.02.2006, 04:42 PM

education is important, studty then travel you will learn alot then go away take your camera with you and start working. if the us is at all like australia it is hard to get shown in a gallery unless you have some education behind you because of the visual art snob factor. you will also learn things about photography that you wouldn't think you would learn or even know about. i studied film then went overseas now i am a sound engineer and i tour quite frequently and other people pay for me to go overseas

View Poll Results: did you go to uni?, do you plan to go?
yes i went, or i plan to go when im old enough	60	85.71%
no i didn't go, or i won't go in the future	10	14.29%
Voters: 70. You may not vote on this poll

05.02.2006, 02:44 PM	#1
screamingskull invito al cielo Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: england Posts: 5,580	im trying to figure out if i should go to uni next year to study photography further or not, im currenty at college doing a Diploma in photography and after that the next level up is to go to uni and do a BA in it, my parents and teachers really want me to go, but i'd really like to go traveling instead. it will end up costing about the same amount of money, and i think i will really learn alot more traveling than i would at uni. doing both isnt really an option. i just wanted to get an older persons perspective on this, did you go to uni or college?, or not? do you regret going or not going? what would you do if you were me?
	\|QUOTE AND REPLY\|

05.02.2006, 02:58 PM	#2
Sheriff Rhys Chatham invito al cielo Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: New England. Posts: 4,027	im not older but I would travel. Why learn what other people are already doing? as for me I plan on further education. Ive actually been looking at internet courses. The thing is I want to study electricity so I think a hands on course would be better. __________________ My Music(grunge rock) A part of this blue shit since June 24th, 2004
	\|QUOTE AND REPLY\|

05.02.2006, 02:58 PM	#3
Savage Clone invito al cielo Join Date: Mar 2006 Posts: 11,287	I will write on this later tonight. I went, and dropped out in mid-senior year, which I have never regretted. I hated it, but did well. I would not know how much I hated it had I not gone though, and there were a few shreds of worthwhile experences (mostly outside the classroom). If you go, go to a small school. I know far more people with positive experiences in smaller schools than larger ones.
	\|QUOTE AND REPLY\|

05.02.2006, 03:04 PM	#4
lucyrulesok 100% Join Date: Apr 2006 Posts: 769	i am going in september, and i still dont really know if its what i want. i certainly know its what everyone else wants for me. if i were you i'd follow your heart, cause i feel like i havent made my own decision, and im pretty unhappy about it right now (though i do realise that it could all change when i actually get there) with something like photography i think its much more important that you get the experience of travelling and getting some work together. think about it, you could learn how everyone else takes their photos, or you could go to some awesome places and take some amazing photos and develop your own style. also, a BA would be pretty academic, right? you should think about how disciplined you want to be in the next couple of years. just my two pence worth, hope it helps
	\|QUOTE AND REPLY\|

05.02.2006, 03:49 PM	#7
nomadicfollower invito al cielo Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: North America Posts: 2,672	Not going to vote. I'm not old enough and I'm not yet sure if I'm going to go or not. So I can't say either way.
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05.02.2006, 03:59 PM	#9
SpectralJulianIsNotDead invito al cielo Join Date: Mar 2006 Posts: 7,409	Your mom goes to college!
	\|QUOTE AND REPLY\|

05.02.2006, 04:00 PM	#10
IntoTheGroovey bad moon rising Join Date: Mar 2006 Posts: 197	I just finished a week and a half ago. __________________ The owls are not what they seem.
	\|QUOTE AND REPLY\|

05.02.2006, 04:01 PM	#11
krastian invito al cielo Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Baltimore Posts: 7,808	Yeah it sucked and now I am $30,000 in debt. __________________ Confusion is next and next after that is the Truth.
	\|QUOTE AND REPLY\|

05.02.2006, 04:06 PM	#13
!@#$%! invito al cielo Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: mars attacks Posts: 42,483	ps-- if you are not really motivated to go to college, you are going to suck at it & lose both money and education. 3 years traveling might be a bit much. tell them you want to travel for a year & then apply. (then you can get an extension until you are of legal age, ha hah, if you arent) traveling can be hard! little money, working shit jobs-- all in fun but after a point you'll want to have some kind of life. suggested reading: work your way around the world. but your camera, if you're good, might make you more $$ that temp jobs. have fun!
	\|QUOTE AND REPLY\|

05.02.2006, 04:08 PM	#14
Inhuman invito al cielo Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Montreal Posts: 5,807	I'm in college, and it was free for me cause' I live in Quebec __________________ Inhuman no longer dwells on here. http://about.me/robinbastien
	\|QUOTE AND REPLY\|

05.02.2006, 04:17 PM	#16
johnnywinternoshow the end of the ugly Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Belfast Posts: 1,006	there are definite advantages in doing an art based course at uni/art college in that you get to learn about the workings of the art world, build up contacts in galleries, arts groups and get valuable constructive criticism from tutors. My painting has definitely evolved and i've noticed at least 2 or 3 big changes in my work that wouldn never have happened if i'd been just fucking about on my own. I also find being in college and having regular checkpoints and assessments has motivated me to work my ass off. The down side of my course, not sure if it's the same everywhere, is that there are quite a lot of people on it who I'm pretty sure have no interest in continuing and are just there cus they thought it was an easy life. I know of people who have been successful at photography, specifically gig photography just by being in the right place at the right time or else constantly being out there taking photo after photo but without guidance from tutors or people already in the business i;d say it'd be a lot harder to get ni the door. Another plus in this is not having to do frigging essays but thats a small point
	\|QUOTE AND REPLY\|

05.02.2006, 04:42 PM	#20
terminal pharmacy invito al cielo Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Australia Posts: 3,358	education is important, studty then travel you will learn alot then go away take your camera with you and start working. if the us is at all like australia it is hard to get shown in a gallery unless you have some education behind you because of the visual art snob factor. you will also learn things about photography that you wouldn't think you would learn or even know about. i studied film then went overseas now i am a sound engineer and i tour quite frequently and other people pay for me to go overseas
	\|QUOTE AND REPLY\|