YSE
USA
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Joined: 10/15/2009
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Well, it seems to be unanimous; put your education first and/or try to pull of both.
Thanks for your advice, I needed to ask this or I was gonna drive myself crazy thinking about this on my own. I'm gonna go ahead and continue planning for college.
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YSE
USA
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2chiefsRus wrote:While I agree that getting a college degree is a great idea but it is equally important that you actually apply yourself to the degree program and that it is in an area of study that improves your ability to support yourself. It should also be something that will improve your quality of life - something that you find interesting. Going to college simply to go to college can be an expensive way of killing time.
It took me nearly 10 years of going to night school to obtain my Bachelor's degree while on active duty and I value it even more because of the extra effort. As Aridon said - Knowledge is power.
Well I know I'll probably find the courses relating to my major interesting, but my problem is I'll have a hard time forcing myself to work hard on the courses that, to me, seem unrelated (math, science, etc.). I guess I'll just have to stick with it, though.
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teknomad
Land of Enchantment
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Joined: 10/06/2009
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A good education is a solid foundation for your future. That said, perhaps you are not ready for further schooling at this time? In the U.S. the average college student is mid-twenties or even older these days. Because we live so long, many people return to university at midlife. Most people will have at least 3 or more careers in their lifetime.
It is incorrect to claim that all professions need a university base. It depends on what you want to work at. If you prefer to work at a skilled trade such as plumbing, electrical or carpentry, then a university degree might not be the way to go. Many good paying jobs such as truck driving also do not require college. We have several doctorate degrees in our family because our professions in tech/science demand that. If you must be licensed then you probably need to go to university or at least get yourself into an apprenticeship program.
The RV lifestyle is often expensive. How will you support your dream? Do you have any skills? Can you at least wait tables and mix drinks? Can you wield a hammer and work in construction (which is very slow right now)? How do you plan to earn a living while traveling?
One thing that I can tell you is to never “wait until you retire” to travel. It is best to travel as you go along in life. In general at your age “roughing it,” is more tolerable now, than when one is older. There are things that I did to travel, in the rough, in my youth, that I would never consider now. We used to go skiing in jeans and a sweater because we could not afford real ski clothes. A group of us would share a one room cabin, with heat only, no bath or toilet facilities. One had to walk across a snow field to get to the communal bathrooms with sinks like troughs. It was either pay ski-lift fees or eat. We didn’t have money for both. “Happy hour” with free hors d’oeuvres filled our food needs. Today, I wouldn’t consider such an idea, I want my private bath and a hot-tub, as well as a gourmet meal at the end of the day with a great bottle of wine. At the time, it was wonderful!
Take the opportunities in life when you can and as they present themselves. Many a person has not been well enough later in life to enjoy travel.
As a parent, I would advise you to take a year or two off. You have plenty of time, since you are only eighteen. Experience is worth a lot. Many universities take such initiative and life experiences into consideration for admissions. Travel, expose yourself to many cultures and adventures as well as many jobs; find yourself and then you may be ready to start university with more focus. Consider going overseas as well, perhaps into the Peace Corp or work in the U.S. for AmeriCorps, etc. Who knows, perhaps you will consider a foreign service career or teaching in the end, for which you will need a college education.
You might be able to blog about your journey and earn a bit of money that way.
Good luck! 
Intrepida
___________
“If you reject the food, ignore the customs, fear the religion and avoid the people, you might better stay at home.” – James Michener
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bigred1cav
ohio
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Joined: 09/14/2009
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I started Law School at age 57.
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Mallo
Varies
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Joined: 07/09/2006
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YSE wrote:I've been reading about full timing a lot over the past few months and love the idea. A (semi) minimalistic lifestyle, low living expenses, and freedom to travel/move where you like. Here's the thing, though. Right now I'm only just about to turn 18, still a senior in high school. I'm wondering whether or not I should follow the urge I have to get a job straight out of college (while also trying to establish an online income), save up as much money as I can, and get an RV as soon as possible. Why wouldn't I? Well, the obvious potential roadblock is college. Most anyone I talk to says that absolutely everybody needs to go to college to live a decent life. Do you agree this is important in all circumstances? I could just be an ignorant adolescent for thinking this, but I really don't see how a college degree is going to benefit me in any significant way for what I want to do. Then there's the fact that school in general takes away any love for learning I have (well maybe college wont, but high school certainly does). I don't really see how college is going to help support an RV lifestyle at all. Aren't most jobs full time RVers do typically unconventional, seasonal, or work at home jobs that don't require a degree? Plus I could always go to college later, though I know it's not the same. I figured this would be a good community to look to for advice, so if you'd care to share any that'd be great. I know it's unusual for someone as young as I am to consider this, but it's been done before. If you think I'm too young, though, feel free to say so.
Let me summarize what I'm trying to ask: If I want to live full time in an RV, should I bother going to college yet or should I go straight to saving up for an RV and getting out on the road? Do I need to go to college in case I change my mind about this? Are the benefits of going to college now too great to ignore, or are they unnecessary in this case? Please share your opinions.
Thanks in advanced for any advice, I'll be sure to consider anything you have to say. 
Live in a travel trailer while going to collage. Killing two birds with one rock.
Mallo
Eloise - 2000 F350 7.3 DRW XL, Reading Flatbed, King Ranch Leather, AIS, MBRP 4" Ex
The Chinese Princess - 2007 Hitchhiker II LS 32.5 LKSBG
Your Kung Fu is weak!
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outcampinagain
TT
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Joined: 10/20/2009
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I agree with teknomad. Why not try some volunteer positions while working at a job that you can travel with like waiting tables, etc for a year or so then you will have meet some interesting people, traveled (there are volunteer positions that will feed you and give you a bed)and satisfy the need to roam, but have not tie you down to the expense of a trailer. When you are more focused and ready to commit yourself to school a trailer might be the perfect solution for you verses a dorm room. I did not obtain a degree until I had traveled a bit and found I was ready to commit myself to study. School is not cheap, get your moneys worth!
Good luck to you!
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tonyandkaren
pennsylvania
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Give both a try! One of the RVNet members lived in his RV through college and now that he's graduated he still lives in an RV although he moved up to a larger one. Here's his website - http://www.moparmaga.com/pictures.html
Going to college will cut into your traveling but most national parks hire students to work at the lodges for the summer so you could get a little travel in while earning some money at the same time.
Good luck with your decision!
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skylos
Issaquah, WA
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Joined: 06/10/2009
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Something that frequently gets lost around here is that you don't have to buy a *new* rv. Or even a niceone. Buy an old one, something you can afford. It keeps the rain off for cheap while you go to college, perhaps you drag it around a bit, perhaps you don't. (yes, get a trailer. Its cheaper.) Its not important if you travel already - by the time you get out of college you'll surely know if you want to continue to live in one, and know a good bit about repair and maintenance to boot. Don't confuse fulltiming with traveling - they're different things. Fulltiming enables relocation on as frequent a basis as you care to go through the trouble, but does not require it.
Skylos
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itsabouttime
Midland, TX
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I remember how hard it was in highschool trying to decide what I wanted to do for the rest of my life. There are tools available to help with the decision. See your counselor about testing that will help match you with likely career paths. If you don't find the help there, see the counseling office in a local community college. Two tests I have taken are the Kuder and the 16 PF. It might cost a little, maybe $25 or so, but is time and money very well spent.
I was directed towards college all the way through highschool and really getting stressed out by the senior year. We found a technical school, also known as a trade school, and I got enrolled several months before graduation. It felt like the whole world had been lifted off my shoulders. That two year course in electronics got me into several enjoyable jobs and paid our bills for over thirty years. On the other hand, my wife has several degrees and enjoyed teaching college math for a good many years, also at a good wage.
Now we're fulltimers and enjoying what we were too practical to try when we were younger and raising our kids. The kids, by the way, all got college degrees.
Good luck with your decision but don't head into anything without checking out your options first. If you go to college or a trade school, at least know what you are expecting to learn.
Russ
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sgtcoffey
Las Vegas, NV
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Joined: 11/27/2005
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Hi
You can possibly do all three at once.
You could join the military. Use thier tuition assistance to get your college done and get a TT to live in and take trips on your time off plus have a steady income.
If you have any questions or want to talk further shoot me an email.
MC
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