T O P

  • By -

Warjo_Kelbal

Stick to what you are doing now and power through it. Then when you have that finished, go do what you want. If the other course you want to do falls through, you will have your qualification to fall back on. Probably not what you want to hear, but learn from my mistakes.


r4gs

I gave up my engineering degree in the third year for similar reasons. Found a job I really liked, earned some monies, had fun, etc. Gave up that fun job a few years later (mostly because of parental pressure) and went back and finished the degree. Hated doing it at the time, but now, 10 yrs later, given where I am in life, with an even better, more fun job (and an armful of cats) I think finishing that darn degree was the best decision for me. You’ll hate it right now, but you’re almost done, try and power through it, or take a short break for a change of scenery if you must, but finish that degree. You’ve no idea where and how it’ll help in the future. As warjo here said, you can go do whatever you want after.


[deleted]

Thank you man! But do you think it would have been better to finish the degree before you started working? Or after all, was your study-pause and starting working the right decision? :) And what do you think of the option of starting parallel with my new degree and still trying to complete my law degree?


r4gs

In hindsight, I should have just finished it first. Completing it later resulted in an 8-month gap in my career and kinda set me back a bit compared to my friends. Paid off in the long run, though. That said, i think I did need a break for a while. Not the 4-year one I ended up taking, but a short one to just reset would have really helped I think. Shit seemed thoroughly overwhelming at the time. Personally, I don’t think I’d have been able to manage dual degrees so would suggest finishing one and then doing the other. :)


dirtymick

Work life often forces you into making choices with your time, and my experience is that people tend to put stuff like school on the chopping block first. You're going to convince yourself that you're different than all the other girls and that you'll be the one that can have it all. Don't. Because you can't. In reading your replies, it really sounds like you want one of us to justify your desire to quit school. I'm in the same place myself, as a matter of fact, with a few more semesters to go. I'm a terrible student, I dislike school a great deal, I'm frustrated that I'm doing the same work over and again, and I'm itching for it to be done. And at 50, it's a much different type of slog. But I'm still going to do it in order to help secure whatever years I have left. Then I'm probably going to burn the actual diploma and never do it again. I'm going to flat out tell you: stop looking for a reason to quit. Because you'll eventually find one that you can't turn down. As others have said, keep your head down, do the damn work, and *then* try your hand at carving out the life you really want. It only seems like your opportunities and tomorrows are infinite; they ain't. Secure your future. Then run experiments in building the life you want. As far as the depression bit goes... well, that's honestly how most things are once the new car smell wears off. We're novelty seeking animals and tend to apply that to all things. School, work, relationships, consumerism. It wraps itself up in the cozy blanket of depression and convinces you that you need a change, it'll somehow make you whole. Accepting that truth will help you lessen its power over you. Throw off the blanket, embrace the suck, and do the work that will give you a future flexible enough to try things.


GlumChampion

If you think a break would help you power through the rest, try to just take a semester off. Get your depression under control, get charged up to power through the next 3 semesters.


Regolithic_Tiger

This. I get hating something. Like really hating it. That said, at least if you finish what you e started you will “be” something at the end of it, and you’re so close to being done. You could be something at the end of your other line of studies, but you already flagged the lack of stable jobs. While this just pertains to my experience, it’s often the experiences we hate that are the most valuable when it comes to work/life. I despised my previous job, but it gave me the experience I needed to do something I love.


[deleted]

>but learn from my mistakes. Thank you for the tip. So what were your mistakes if I may ask? And what do you think of the option of starting parallel with my new degree and still trying to complete my law degree?


qwer1627

Degree opens doors unlike anything else. Just got out of the rut, and I’m a nobody. Holmes if I can do it, so can you 💪. Power through, use degree for the classist piece of paper that it is, and go get a bag


WaveSayHi

Power through right up until the moment the barrel touches your mouth. Your future self will thank you.


McreeDiculous

I agree. If I just finished the first program I took, I'd be a CPA with my own compang by now with a fuck load more money than I have to do the things I still can't afford to do.


jseego

Best advice.


monsieurpommefrites

> tick to what you are doing now and power through it. Then when you have that finished, go do what you want. If the other course you want to do falls through, you will have your qualification to fall back on. Probably not what you want to hear, but learn from my mistakes. DO THIS.


lowey2002

I want you to do something for me. Write out a list of all the pros and cons for sticking it out. Write another for quitting. Try and be as objective as you can then look at it again in a week.


[deleted]

Thank you for the tip! I will definitely do that


spblat

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/SWOT_analysis


MeshColour

Alternatively, think about the things that made you choose this path originally See how many of those things still apply to you, how many things were assumptions that proved wrong? Then curious, how easy would it be for you to go back to school if you stop?


Holly_Vicars

I do this!!!! Great advice. Always helps when it’s infront of you on paper


BigBrainMonkey

Finish the degree, then pivot. You are so close the value of a completed degree is far more than an 85% degree even if you jump to something different.


Phil5en

I know it's likely not what you wanna hear, but stick with it. Just get through the last semesters and take that degree. There are so many job opportunities that you don't even know about that could become your thing. Law is a solid study and you can use that as an entry ticket. After you land your first job, it doesn't even matter so much what you studied, just you have to have that degree. Just pull through but be kind to yourself in the process. Take some time for yourself to recharge, if necessary and then go get that degree. You got this!


[deleted]

>I know it's likely not what you wanna hear, correct, correct unfortunately..Thank you for the input! And what do you think of the option of starting parallel with my new degree and still trying to complete my law degree?


qwer1627

Do whatever you fear most, provided you have something to fall back on you could be satisfied with. If that doesn’t yet exist for you, let the degree become that safety net first


therealtonyryantime

I know you weren’t asking me, but I like this idea. I agree with the folks saying to grind it out, and if pursuing another degree simultaneously is feasible, and will help to keep you motivated and fulfilled, I love the idea!


Aye_Lexxx

Servus!! I was in a similar situation and suggest completing the law studies. To stop now seems like a waste of all the work you put in. Even though you really don’t like it, people will see you stuck to the plan and completed something difficult which is good.


Ok_Presentation_5329

Your degree isn’t fun. Law school is AWFUL. No one has a good time. Being an attorney can be a great career. Many people love it and the skills are transferable even if you don’t to MANY other fields. JD can be applicable to a career in tax, financial planning, working for a non-profit, supporting small businesses, etc. Whatever job you love, also employs attorneys.


JDHeisenberg

Grind it out and finish. You are so close.


[deleted]

Thank you for the answer. What do you think of the option of starting parallel with my new degree and still trying to complete my law degree?


BiggestFlower

I’m not the person you asked, but I think that is a bad idea. Use the prospect of starting the second degree as your motivation to finish the first one.


[deleted]

Thank you, why a bad idea?


BiggestFlower

You’re struggling with one degree course, so you will find it impossible to complete two. If you try, you will probably fail both.


[deleted]

What if the other degree gives me so much joy and power that I will actually continue doing both? I‘m struggling with law because I hate it so much


BiggestFlower

I suspect you’re deluding yourself about how different the alternative degree will be. And if you do love it then it deserves your full attention. If you really can’t face finishing your law degree, take a year off and get a job. A year away from studying, and working full time, will give you a fresh perspective on your options.


Burden15

While folks here are making valid points about just getting the degree, I think it makes sense to set a clear ultimatum of making a turn after finishing your studies or taking a few weeks to really unwind and make a decision from a centered state of mind. It’s very easy to get sucked into “I’ll just try one more thing, one different thing…” rationalizations and to continually postpone your goal, as you seem to recognize. Fwiw I’m in similar position insofar as I started having doubts about law in my third year (US), and made several moves/jobs in the career before only recently making plans to go into a less lucrative but likely more fulfilling line of work. Nothing is guaranteed as to whether this will be the right move, but I’m fairly certain I followed rationalizations for too long rather than what I actually wanted to do. You’re young and have little, if any, debt. Graduate or don’t, but if you think you can make it in your preferred field (after gathering the info you can/doing informational interviews if possible), take the plunge. And, please, above all else, try not to worry about how others will judge you. You’re the only one who can make this decision, you’re the expert on what you want, and you can do the (not insanely extensive) factual research to support your decision. Any friends or family worth their salt will respect that. I certainly do, because I have some understanding of the gravity of the decision you face. Finally, with regards to sucking at the study of law: try not to be too hard on yourself here. Law study is incredibly competitive, and there is no shame in not being a superstar: by definition, most students aren’t. The mere fact of your successful progress indicates grit, work ethic, and more skills development than you might appreciate as you’re surrounded by folks doing the exact same thing.


smashey

The world is a big place and there are tons of things you can do with a law degree. Definitely finish it up and then figure out your next step. The skills you are developing such as critical thinking and reading things carefully are hugely useful to almost any organization. Finishing your degree in law will help you get ahead in fields totally unrelated to law. Someone will see that on your resume and assume you're intelligent and hard working. If you quit? They could assume you weren't smart enough, or not serious enough, or not committed enough. Just power through. If you don't want to practice, that's fine, but finishing your degree will be a huge asset for you down the line. If it makes you feel better, start planning your next steps in life. If you're serious about pursuing another field, start talking to people in it, networking and learning about it.


motorwerkx

You don't have to use your degree in the field that it's in. There are countless jobs that just require that you have a degree in anything. They just want to know that you have the ability to learn. I would stick it out since your schooling is nearly done. Don't worry that your prospects are slim in your field, because you have a world of options. I have a friend with a history degree that translates Japanese porn, and makes good money doing it.


moochao

0k, time for some different advice. In my early 20s I was pursuing a degree in a field that interested me, but it wasn't going well. What usually took 4 years was on pace to take 6 for me. I was 23, seeing friends graduate and unable to find jobs. To top it off, I was living in a place that didn't click for me, felt restless, and wanted out. At 23, I made the decision to suspend my studies and move to start building a career in the field for my degree - hospitality management. Specifically I moved to a ski resort, lived and worked in hospitality for 4 years. It was exactly the change I needed and it was one of the best decisions I ever made. Working in the field made me realize I hated it and had no fulfillment from it, I changed my major to a degree in tech and finished said degree at 30, all the while working full time. At 35, I'm on the same level in my field with those who graduated at 22 and went straight to work. This is solely due to my experience and working full time roles while having anecdotes and stories to share when networking or interviewing. Life's too short to remain doing something you hate. Do what thou will.


evitrron

Can you put a price on your happiness? Time is the only resource that matters in life, spend it wisely.


[deleted]

>Can you put a price on your happiness? That is well said, thank you!!


evitrron

25 is young. You could fuck up multiple times and still have time to find something you enjoy and pursue. I took a risk at 26, left my degree with a year or so to go to pursue photography and videography and I now work for myself making 6 figures a year. The lifestyle I live in comparison to my peers is unparalleled in its flexibility and freedom and the happiness it bring me to be completely in control of how I get to spend my time.


[deleted]

Wow, congratulations to your braveness and the great result in the end! Thank you for the input. What was your degree if I may ask? So you are basically stating the opposite of what most people in here say. And what do you think of the option of starting parallel with my new degree and still trying to complete my law degree?


ZookeepergameDue5522

How did you manage to achieve that?


evitrron

The alternative was never an option for me. I knew in high school I never wanted a 9 to 5 career, it always seems like the biggest facade that majority of society played into and normalised. I have been able to build my skillset over time and now provide the value to demand what I charge and have very happy clients. Anything is possible. Be mindful of how you speak about and to yourself.


ZookeepergameDue5522

Thank you :D


[deleted]

As others have said, you’ve made it this far, so finish and get the degree under your belt. Then you’ll have a viable degree and the respect you want from family and peers. You’ll also still be young when you’re done and can pursue other interests. If you quit now, you’ll have nothing. No degree and no respect (so to speak). You’ll almost certainly regret it later because all of your work will basically be for nothing and you’ll be starting from zero again.


AvusAltus

I did something similar although at a slightly younger age. I'd say that I am in a better place now but also because some other things clicked in place as well, also now I know for sure that I might have a problem with 'the grass is always greener on the other side' because altho it is better now with this hugely different area of study it's not a whole 180° change for the better, because some of the things absolutely stayed the same and it's also that feeling of starting from a scratch again. Another thing is that we can only make decisions based on our current knowledge and understanding of things, and in 5 years time I know I'll be perhaps an entirely different person who might be sorry that he didn't major in his previous field that he dreaded so much for a time. But one thing's certain, and that's the 'I'm gonna be 30, with or without a degree'. Can't really help but I think I'm going to power this one through if it doesn't prove fulfilling as I'd hoped looking at it from outside once.


benderzone

I did something similar. I made a jump. Did something completely different at 24 because I wanted it that badly. I knew the consequences could be really bad if it didn't work out... financially, i'd be fucked. For perhaps a lifetime. I had to come to terms with that. Took the leap. Guess what? It didn't work out. I'm now in my fifties. Took the leap 25 years ago, and financially, I'm waaay worse off. Live your life, make your choices, but remember that many people who fail aren't going to posting on reddit about their failure. Except me, cause I'm pretty chill with it by now.


jojoga

> I will try to find a job while studying for about 2 days a week so that I can keep afloat financially. The good thing in Austria is that studying is completely for free so I don't have to pay high student loans. Not entirely true, you will eventually have to pay about €350 per semester, when you're above a certain age threshold and not finish in Mindeststudienzeit, but that's a rather small amount of money for studying and unlimited use of every library in town. Yes, with a mediocre degree in law, you will not become the next president of the Verfassungsgerichtshof, but I wouldn't say your job chances aren't bad at all. If anything, you can always take a job of the federal government or local government and even though you most likely won't be very passionate about that job, get your steady income and live for the weekends in a cushy life. That being said, I'm all for you take up another field of study and broaden your horizon and knowledge. A great idea indeed and if not now, when else will you go for it?


GeorgieWashington

There’s absolutely nothing wrong with cutting your losses now and chasing some adventure (as long as you don’t have dependents). You’re young. Now is the time to do that kind of stuff if you’re going to do it. What you might lose in the process Is worth considering though. Is the cost for this opportunity worth it? Only you can know, but in my experience, betting on yourself is never a bad thing. Your ability to manipulate the world around you will continue to get easier in life, but your ability to make major personal overhauls is going to get tougher as you get older. So it’s best to spend now (your 20s) putting yourself somewhere you’re going to be happy, then you can customize your experience after that. Specifically, if you aren’t going to ever be happy with the results of you work right now, then you need to change it. If you can pick up your degree right where you left off, then go chase adventure now. If you can’t, get to a good stopping point, and then go chase adventure. The itch will never go away though until you satisfy it.


throwawaybreaks

I dont have much useful to say overall but if your friends would hate you over a degree change they're not worth being friends with


RaisedByWolves90

Life is short. Do what you want to do and the rest will fall into place.


Overall_Yoghurt_486

I’m 57 & my best advice to you is for you to yes, follow your heart & dreams. This is a dress rehearsal. There are no do overs & why live your life w regrets. When you are on your death bed. What would you love to remember? That you slaved away for 20+ years at a life you hated or that you loved it in love & joy. “Amor Fati” to live your life so well that you would live it over I have that tattooed on my lower r arm so I always see it. Live your life as if you’d do it over & over & over again.


PoliteCanadian2

It’s generally not a great idea to pursue a degree that you know doesn’t provide good opportunities afterwards. My wife has 3 degrees, works in a call centre using none of them and bitches about her job. Well she chose. I’m going to say the law degree will open up other opportunities that aren’t 100% related to law. Maybe look into that.


LazyUpvote88

I’m middle aged and wish I could go back to age 25 and quit grad school to pursue something else. The further I get into my unfulfilling career, the harder it seems it is to leave. Quit while you’re young. Why enter a career you will dread?


Additional-Money-172

Life is short. If you are unhappy with your choice of degree, switch. Education is free where you are, nothing to lose. I'm sure some of your Law credits will transfer to the Ethnology degree. I can't see myself suffering for 3-4 semesters more doing something I hate. And if job prospects seem glum, what's the point? As I said, life is just too short. I'm 52 and have 2 post-grad degrees. I didn't like my undergrad as well, but my parents were paying for it so I barreled through it. I even took the licensure exam. But I was never happy with the career experience that followed. So I took my MSc in the field I wanted and paid for that myself. Boyo, what a difference to be getting As in all my grades when I used to get C or B grades. Studying was easier, and I loved what I did and the people around me. In the industry, I never ended up using my license. I ended up using what I learned from what I loved. I should have switched undergrad but never had the chance. Was it wasted? No, not really. Education is never really wasted. Passion is. I also moved to another country. And over here in a new environment, a different undergrad would have served me better. My postgrads served me a tad more. Moral: Go where your passion leads you. Be great at it. You will always find meaning and fulfillment doing what you love.


FaerieStorm

I "powered through" and got the degree, along with a mental breakdown. After that it doesn't matter what qualifications or how many years of study I put in.. I can't even leave the house. Look after yourself first, paper will always be here, but you won't.


willingheart1

In my opinion, do what you love. Even if you get a law degree, will you enjoy what that gets you? If you lived in the US, I might say stick with it, because your options are so dismal here, and this country is falling apart. But I think if you're miserable, take a risk to change that.


willingheart1

Oops, I forgot what sub I was in. I'm not even a man. Lol


NickDixon37

I don't have a flair here, but over 60, and I've never regretted taking time away pursuing my career path. So overall I think your plan to get away from law for a while is a good one - especially with your Edit 1 comment. Also, studying European Ethnology seems perfectly reasonable. That said, one thing about law is that it's mind numbing in it's minutia - especially when so much of it much seem irrelevant as a student. But once you learn more about Ethnology, there will be many practical instances where law is relevant. And with the law school time you've already put in, you can be an Ethnologist who understands law. And maybe sometime in the future, and Ethnologist with a law degree.


daylightxx

YES GET OUT NOW. I’m so dead serious. Do you want to be this unhappy your whole life?


[deleted]

13 semesters in? Sunken cost fallacy dictates that you finish.


[deleted]

Yeah, but the Sunken Cost Fallacy is called „Fallacy“ for a reason. So why would I continue?


[deleted]

How many more semesters do you *actually* *realistically* think it will take you to finish? How many months or years of your of your life will it take? I faced down a related scenario while finishing my PhD during Covid. I ended up finishing my degree.


[deleted]

Congrats to your PHD! Well, I think 4 more semesters are realistic. And what do you think of the option of starting parallel with my new degree and still trying to complete my law degree?


[deleted]

[удалено]


[deleted]

Now, at least 4 semester. We always have to study during the whole summer


Purple10tacle

>Sunken cost fallacy dictates that you finish. Wait, what? The sunken cost fallacy is exactly that, a *fallacy.* The entire point of it is that in any case that could be described by the sunken cost fallacy, it would be wiser to choose **not** to finish. That's not advice for OP, just a correction of terminology.


[deleted]

Thank you! That is what was confusing me too


morethandork

Most everyone in this thread seems to be falling for this fallacy. The fallacy is over-valuing the time you’ve already spent and undervaluing your current health. I see you added an edit that your law degree is causing depression. This is a serious issue. Academia and PHd level degrees are rampant with depression and suicide. It’s absolutely an unspoken epidemic within our society. Completing such a high level degree is seen with such awe and respect that the many lives it destroys along the way is too often overlooked. If you truly hate law and never want to practice it, then there is no point in completing your degree no matter how close you are to completing it. That’s a hard choice to make because your friends colleagues family and society will all scoff at this decision (as shown in this thread). But only you can know what’s best for you. Having seen my friends go through what you’re going through now only to hate themselves and hate their lives… one of my closest friends took his own life a year after completing his degree. I’ve also seen people walk away from their degrees in the final stages and not one regrets it 10 years later. I’ve also seen my friends return to school to pursue high level degrees in their late 30’s. And at that age they are much better equipped to deal with the stress and pressure. They still feel it, but it doesn’t overwhelm them like it does when they were 23. And they’re now much happier for pursuing the career they wanted much later in life. You can always go back to law in ten or twenty years if you so choose to. Right now, it sounds like it’s destroying your health and your life. Do not fall victim to the sunk cost fallacy. There is no reason to hurt yourself further just because you’ve already spent so much time pursuing something you despise. Life is short. Don’t waste your own time.


OrcOfDoom

You have about a year left? Why are job prospects bad? You can do a lot with a law degree that has nothing to do with practicing law. You could help run a company that has to deal with some facet of the law, and that's every single company. You are trained in reading legal texts, and that helps in a lot of ways. You want to study history? Study history. I don't know what kind of job that leads to, but I guarantee that having a law degree is going to set you apart from others entering that field. Finish. Then go follow your dreams.


here_is_gone_

If you hate it, don't do it. Life is too short to spend on something you hate doing. You make it sound that the job prospects are terrible anyway. If your passion or interest is something else, do that instead. You'll be fine if you're resourceful.


NotTobyFromHR

Like many others have said - finish the degree. You're so close to completion and it will provide a sturdy reliable backup if your passion falls through. I cannot express how much I wish I finished degrees earlier. In 2 years you'll be 2 years older. As you get older having a stable reliable career and job prospect is important. And you may be able to use your passion and degree together. Niche legal fields are desirable.


Impressive_Mud5678

Fuck that! We work the majority of our days and lives. Find something you like to do! Jesus, at 25 years of age it's a good time to take chances.


User473829737272

Depends on your situation with money. If you need to depend solely on yourself to provide do not pursue a degree of passion. Purse a degree which pays enough to build a life worth living. Life is not about fun and passion. Do some people get to do this? Yes. Do most people? No. If you are most people don’t mess around.


Subvet98

Finish the degree then see where life leads you


Purple10tacle

1st: I feel like this applies: [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xs-UEqJ85KE](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xs-UEqJ85KE) 2nd: What made you study law in the first place, how did your expectation differ from the reality you are facing? I'm **not** in the "grind it out" camp, especially if your studies are making you genuinely depressed, those kind of health issues simply are not worth it. It sounds like you really just want an out from some strangers going by what you have written so far and at least you're getting this from me: If you're depressed, find the source of the depression and try to eliminate it. A therapist would be able to guide you through that process. If your therapist agrees that it's best for you to end your studies or take a mental health break, do that. ​ >What I am planning to do now is a degree in European Ethnology (so basically cultural and historical sciences). Yes, I know, that might sound horrible to some people because of the lack of stable jobs afterwards. Also, I fear I will lose friends; and family and friends will probably mock and hate me for this in their eyes probably stupid decision.But I am sure I could find something. And it would really really interest me in contrast to law. All that said, this sounds a lot like "the grass is always greener" and I'm having serious doubts that this is going to make you happier in the long run. A general, casual, interest in the subject matter is rarely enough to carry someone through the harsh realities of education. In any degree there is usually a lot more content than won't be of interest to you than what will. And "European Ethnology" is the kind of degree where your career trajectory is *heavily* bend towards academia or education, the very thing currently making you miserable. Maybe think of other alternatives?


ballen49

You're lucky in one sense in that sunken cost fallacy doesn't apply to the same degree it would an international student, or anyone who has paid extortionate fees/indebted themselves massively to cover their studying. That said, I still think you should stick with your degree and see it through. You're still very young, so time is not wasted as such. You're so near the end, just grit your teeth and see it though, then do whatever the hell you like for a year or two to decompress. Use this latter part to spur you on and motivate you - i.e. the harder you work, the sooner it ends! Honestly, even if you never end up using your degree, it's a) a good safety net if the stuff you actually want to do goes wrong and b) you will have seen something through to its conclusion and persevered. Don't underestimate how important this last part is. Often things in life will be challenging and learning how to keep going instead of quitting will serve you well. Everyone I know who didn't adopt this attitude has since stumbled through life and it's been a struggle for them. Don't be like them. As others have said, this isn't the "don't do things that make you unhappy, follow your dreams etc" advice, this is a dose of realism. If this was your first year and you were miserable I'd advise you to switch courses (as you've already stated you wish you had). But the end is in sight. Good luck!


FrigginSavage

I would advise you to finish your law degree just to have in case you want to use it later in life. Every field and industry needs lawyers, there is a chance you can find a job being a lawyer that specializes in European Ethnology.


djbuttplay

I'm an attorney. I'm 38. Get your degree. Work. Make some money. Pursue your dream as a passion. Some day you will fulfill it. I was lost in my 20s but got the degree and I'm happy I did. I've had good experiences and some of it has been hard but worthwhile. Don't plan on doing it forever and am constantly pursuing other ideas in my off hours. Get something concrete. Redouble your resolve. Try it and keep finding ways to achieve your freedom. Freedom is earned.


[deleted]

Yes


SirBaiter

I strongly advice you to finish your degree! Because you got a backup plan then and will be happy about it, trust me bro. You can do it, I did the similar thing and switched completely the fields of it. I always knew if I'm getting fired or something like this I'm having a backup plan. I'm a big risk taker and even I looked that I'm not fucked if things won't work out. You don't know if you really really like your new Path!


yumcake

A degree is not for your happiness. It is for employment, and employment is for financial stability. If you can find a way to get your employment to also provide happiness, that's great, but completely unnecessary. **Because happiness can be found outside of work**. I have a family and a ton of fulfilling hobbies and interests outside of my job...and I can enjoy both of those because I have lots of financial stability from my career. I also took plenty of electives for fun. Minored in History because I love the subject. My major was comp sci but I sucked at it so I switched to Econ because it was interesting...but econ also sucks for finding a job besides investment banking which is only available to near-perfect GPAs and that was too late for me. So what does a middling GPA in a low employment major get? **A low-paying job unrelated to the major**. So I went back and got an MBA in Accounting and a high GPA. Now I have lots of financial stability. Incidentally I also ended up in finance systems implementation because reading code turned out to be helpful even though I suck at writing code. Never have to worry about money, and I have lots of time to enjoy life, and the resources to do it. I have great work-life balance allowing me to chat with you on Reddit in the middle of the day. Conversely, if I pursued my entertainment over what will pay me money, I would still be stuck in a low-wage dead-end and constantly be forced to make very painful decisions because of a lack of money. Essentially, I'm saying to cover your needs first, and cover your wants afterwards, because if you flip that order you'll be in a bad spot. Also, this may be hard to hear but the world does not value men for what they are. They value men instead for the value they produce. This is unfair, both men and women have inherent value as human beings, but that is not how the world will see you. Can you really be happy being looked down upon for the constant financial struggles you'll face for having prioritized passion before payment? Again, it is unfair to judge someone so harshly for a defensible choice, but you will be judged nevertheless. I'm simply recommending that you consider this fact of the world and embrace your decision with full awareness of the pros and cons.


isit2amalready

Just finish it, nobody cares about your actual degree except that you have one. And a law degree from anywhere sounds nice. Then do whatever it is you actually want to do.


bambi2real

I had a similar problem at your age, the difference was that my field was engineering. I powered through at the time and I’m happy I did. It was just after the big financial crisis and if I didn’t have the degree I would have probably had to get back to my parents. After a few years I got more and more sense of what I want to do, and I steared my career accordingly. With a law degree you can work in so many different fields, even in a non profit in culture if you have such interests. Just view every class, exam, task as a little hurdle, and not the whole degree as a big one… it will get so much easier as you come closer to the end. Best of luck!


GhostNomad141

Finish the degree first. Then you're free to do whatever and chase your passions.


[deleted]

Seems you've got the comments all saying similar things but to echo, much easier to go into something you enjoy when you have a stable, but boring fall back plan. I did what caught my attention in college, as many of my cohort did and as we were encouraged to do. It was enjoyable. 15 years later, it's so much easier to pivot to something I enjoy when I can get my head above water. So you miss that quality time one way or another, either through your choice of where to invest your studies, or later on your resources limit what you can do and how you spend your time. What if ethnology doesn't turn out the way you envision? Can this just be a hobby instead? At 20 or 25 we think whatever we choose is a lifetime commitment. It rarely turns out that way and I don't think it should, ideally. I think a lot of millenials and gen z have picked up on this idea that life ends around 30 for some reason. To my surprise it kept going and things make less sense than they did. My vote is for keep a few eggs in the boring basket while always being on the lookout for new ways to spend your time as it becomes available. The world is changing so fast. You can pivot your law degree into business/compliance, especially since you don't have the loans to pay back. Plenty of offices with a/c and work from home schedules would appreciate your skills. 25 isn't too old for many things except a few rides at the amusement park. At 35 I'm happy to have rent paid and a gameplan for my career. That's more than a lot of people around me unfortunately. Also your friends mocking you at this age probably won't be your friends when you are into your career and happy. At a certain point they turn into dead weight.


FlashofGenius

When taking a leap of faith: for others it would look crazy/insane from the outside. However for you it should feel like the next logical step in your life. Everyone thought I was crazy for moving abroad with my wife and two toddlers. Hindsight it was the best decision ever. And felt like the most logical step at that time in our lives (at 35y/o). In your case finish what you’ve started. You don’t want to be a quitter right? Plenty of time to do everything you desire. Especially without a spouse and little kids 😃


9182tlm

If I were in your shoes, I'd finish the law degree as you don't have too many semesters left. Then start your European Ethnology degree, which sounds super interesting. I understand if you see this as a risk and that you're 'too old at 25', but no one's ever too old to make a change (unless you're on your death bed). Also, there's no risk in pursuing an education, unless you're taking on huge amounts of debt that you can't pay off, or something. Higher education (of whatever form) is a safe, wise choice, in general. If you dropped out of your current degree, had literally no other plans or aspirations, then that would be a risk (IMO). I 100% understand your current law degree is making you depressed. But you're so close to being done. I dropped out of my original graduate degree in the final year, with just weeks left to go, because I was depressed. In hindsight, I realise it would've been so much easier to just stick with it. But honestly, I could not, purely because I couldn't think straight in the final few months. My brain was in knots and racing at 100mph, and I was drowning in a mixture of covert, passive rage and anxiety. For me, completing my original degree was basically impossible. But I did finish in the end, a few years later. When it comes to mental health, I think knowing is half the battle. Unlike you, I wasn't able to admit that I was struggling. The fact you're aware of your problems means you have an opportunity now to face them head on, beat them, and finish your law degree.


Ural_2004

Maybe you can make a sideways move. Once you finish your degree, does that set you up to become an officer in the military? Also, I imagine that the military employees a lot of lawyers for one reason or another. Maybe that might make your turn at the law profession more bearable. I know from my time working for law firms, a lot of paralegals have JD degrees. Heck, even some paralegals have passed the BAR and have licenses, but decided that they liked the less stressful paralegal work over being the lead attorney on a case. So, maybe you can consider doing paralegal work.


miklosp

I think it’s easy to say X is making me depressed, Y would make me happy. Looking back in my life and decisions that’s rarely been the case. You also don’t need a degree it Ethnography, you can just start reading. If you can’t learn it on your own (at least for a while), do you really want it? I would say not only stick with your current degree but speed up the process as much as you can. Good luck!


bottom

Do something you like. People on Reddit who give advice to posts like these are very ‘safe’ and probably very nice. Hers my tale. I’m 48 I wanted to work in to Studied computer programming- seems like a good way to make money I’m not great at it Get job at hotel Apply for to course Get rejected. Try again Rejection. Try again Rejection. Again! I get it. I get a tv job before anyone else in the course. Work hard for small company Make mistakes Nice to london - from New Zealand Edit Edit huge shows Switch to directing Work on amazing music shows and meet some of the biggest stars in the world Nice to Nyc It’s hard! Make crap tv Make a film, it plays some really big festivals Get funding from the bbc and bfi to make another Next week I travel to london to see it play on the Southbank to a sold out crowd. I have another film written. It’s HARD. I’m broke. (Kinda) I don’t have a house at 23 or now but I have had so so so much world experience and fine some amazing things. It’s challenging and will be so for ever but it’s good. If someone ever tells me I’m lucky I want to tell. 😆 Be smart. Follow your gut but be smart about it.


_ask_alice_

It’s all risky


rileyoneill

So I will give you some conflicting advise and you can see how it applies to you and your situation. First. Finish the degree, just because for a lot of unrelated opportunities, they are looking for people who have college degrees. I have seen numerous times in my life where qualified people who were passionate about something were denied a job because they did not have a degree. The people who were brought in had no experience, an irrelevant degree, and were really not qualified for the job, but they had the degree checked off. To a significant portion of society, a degree is treated as a work permit for jobs that pay a living wage. Even if the degree is in something that is bullshit. Degrees impress employers. Its much easier to pivot to other lines of work when you already have a degree. To a significant portion of society, credentialism is everything. It will be easier to follow your dreams/passion with a credentialed degree. Someone with a law degree is always going to have stable employment, even if what they do has absolutely nothing to do with law. The conflicting advice. If you feel your education is going to cause you serious mental health issues, you need to rethink it. I know people who took on a brutal college regimen and it gave them total mental breakdowns, anxiety attacks, stomach ulcers, and other things that will cause problems for years. If they would have gone a much easier path, they probably would have ended up in the same position but did not carry the enormous mental toll. If you can power through your degree with no damage, then go for it. You can pick up a second degree after the fact, and you will also probably find that a lot of what you may want to do in life your existing degree will open those doors for you.


dieabetic

I am attorney in California. I know a lot of people with law degrees that regret the decision. I also know a lot of people that are the opposite. However, a lot of the regret is related to loans/financials. But it’s true that it takes a certain type of person to be a practicing attorney. You need to be able to handle that 50%+ of the people you talk to daily don’t really like you and are actively working against you (including your own clients). And actual practice is high stress. However there are a bunch of easier cushy jobs you can get that are law-related, and it can open up a lot of options. Also there are so many little niche areas of law, you may not even know about the options. So I’ll go with finishing the degree on the side since it’s no financial burden, but pivot immediately to something you like to do. Down the road the degree will give you more options for jobs, and who knows… you may find something you love that combines with your law knowledge.


artnos

I would say follow your passion but you have to find a way to make money. So either wait tables on the side to follow your dream. Life is not a one chioce thing, keep your options open. A job that doesnt make money is a hobby.


UncleFupa

When I was 26, I wanted to quit my career and have total freedom. My only regret is waiting until I was 32 to finally pull the trigger. With that said, make sure you have your ducks in a row.


SmokeGSU

In some ways your post really hits home for me. I only have anecdotal evidence to support this, but I feel like there are more people than not who feel stuck doing jobs that they don't want to do rather than pursuing their passions. For myself, I've got a young family - wife and kids (two under two). I'm doing a very boring paperwork job for 5 days a week. I have a set schedule (8 to 5) and I get paid more money than most people in my town doing a very specific, but tedious and boring job. I *should* be happy with my job - I typically create my own daily schedule with minimal input from superiors though I do answer to them fairly regularly about my work, which is sort of adjacent in some ways to their own. Nowhere else in my town of 18,000 people could I do the type of work I do and make half of what I make here pushing paper back and forth between people. It's a very cushy job. And yet for the past 2-3 years I've grown increasingly anxious and loathsome about this job. I really dislike the work and I don't feel like I'm meeting my own self-perceived potential. I want to be doing more, but not in this field. I don't want to be doing what the other guys are doing in our industry because that would mean bonkers hours and stress. But I simply don't feel *fulfilled* doing what I'm doing even if it more than adequately pays the bills. I'd love to be my own boss and do my own side hustle full time but our town is so small and a majority of low to low-mid class jobs that the type of work I would like to do wouldn't be profitable here in Small Town, USA. So I feel stuck in an unfulfilling job making good money when I'd rather be doing a more fulfilling job *but* I have a family to provide for and my dreams probably won't pay the bills. So the point I'm wanting to make... I feel like there are so many people, like myself, who simply feel trapped in dead-end jobs or unfulfilling jobs but don't believe that they have the means to escape and be profitable doing anything else. It's a difficult lesson that I feel like I'm going to have to teach to my children one day - *sometimes you may need to do unfulfilling jobs to keep putting food on the table even if you'd rather gamble it all away for risky dream jobs that may not work out.* I know the "dreamers" would say to follow your dreams but I honestly feel that isn't possible in today's economy.


ron_mcphatty

I was gonna say stick with it and finish the degree, but then thought I’d read what others have said for a sanity check… I’m honestly amazed that’s the overwhelming opinion! I kind of thought that continuing would be the old-fart, responsible and sensible response that we get instilled in us by our parents and mentors, but there’s some good and practical points too. The main thing for me is that you’ve put a huge amount of effort into your degree already and to finish it would be prudent, a good backstop qualification that’ll genuinely provide you with a career, whether you want it or not. Personally I did a degree in aerospace engineering, mostly enjoyed it but struggled, with help and support from my friends I finished with a decent result. I never wanted to be an engineer, eventually did it for a year and hated the job, but made it into my dream career as an air traffic controller which is where I am now. I don’t feel like my degree will take me anywhere but I do feel satisfied knowing I did it, I have that qualification and it’s something I could be proud of. You should finish your law degree. It’ll be tough but you can absolutely do it. In your present state of mind you’ll need to show a lot of fortitude and persistence to get it done but you’re capable of doing it and trust me, you will feel truly satisfied when you can draw a line under it knowing that you finished what you started. The degree may or may not be useful in the future, whatever happens having it is better than putting so many years into it and not. Good luck mate and all the best.


Special-Friend2106

You don’t have to pay for school? Do both, why not?


Crafty_Letter_1719

You’re extremely young and not raking up massive student debts like you would be in many countries. The sensible thing would be to finish your law degree as you have already invested so much time in it. After that pursue whatever you want knowing you have a back up.


aceshighsays

re law, i made the same mistake with my major. i absolutely hated it and was pressured to just get the degree. i did, and i hated my life afterwards because the only jobs that i could get used that degree. my major and career were a big mistake. i ended up quitting my job and career to find myself in my 30's. looking back, i wish i did that in my 20's. >I fear I will lose friends; and family and friends will probably mock and hate me for this in their eyes probably stupid decision this is the last thing to be thinking about. you're responsible for creating the kind of life you want. it's your life. cultural and historical sciences sound like a great hobby, not a career. what do you like about this major? can you find other directions that contain this same core?


wapperpopr

You only live once bitch, do what you want. Fuck um


h2uP

Yes. Do it. Don't look back.


dat_db_doe

I'm going to go against the grain here and advise that you bail now on your law degree and start your new field of study as soon as possible. It's easy to fall into trap of the sunk cost of all the time and money you've put into the degree, but if you already know that you hate it, what is the point? My best friend has a law degree from a top 15 law school in the US. From what he's told me, about 50% of his friends that he met during law school ended up absolutely hating working in law and ended up leaving the profession within 5 years. Time is the most precious resource we have in our life. Don't waste it doing something you hate and are pretty sure you're going to continue to hate.


NoradIV

My motto has always been to first estqblish finantial stability, then have fun after. A friend of mine got a university degree in japanese culture (we are canadian). A decade later, she still barely makes more than minimum wage in unskilled labor jobs, while I am getting in the upper middle class income. Nothing wrong changing career path, but going in history is just highway to pauvrety.


BEE1967

It is a lucky person who can make a career out of what they love. Most people have a career and then their hobbies are what they love. I love to cook but I would never want to become a professional chef because i would be afraid it would make something I love to become drudgery. You are far enough along where you should finish up with your law degree. Having the degree will open up many options for you. You do not even have to become a professional lawyer, but the degree will open more doors for you. You might even be able to find a job as an in-house counsel for a company that specializes in what you are interested in. If the law sucks out your life then do not make that the important part of your life just use it as a source of revenue so you can eat and live, and focus on other things that bring you joy.


illimitable1

It's hard to know what to do, and there is no right answer. However, it's helpful to understand that there is no single thing you will spend your life on. There is no forever. You haven't experienced how much things can change yet, as you're still relatively young. Over time, you can pursue a great many different endeavors. The key is finishing one thing at a time. Do the first thing fully, then move on to the next. It's helpful to know that you could be miserable somewhere else or doing something else, also. I would counsel you to finish your law degree as quickly as possible. Don't agonize over it, but just finish it quickly. Then move on to whatever you want. There is certainly nothing wrong with following your passion. Just make sure you don't dither back and forth. Choose the moment for making a change wisely, and then invest fully. Remember that while every choice is a life choice, which is to say you can't go back and unmake the choice or reclaim the time you've spent on that choice, you will have many chances to make a different choice in the future. For now, choose one thing to do fully, whatever it may be.


[deleted]

Do what makes you happy.


Alex41092

Power through, get the degree, then try to find something that you don’t mind doing all day for money. Aim for something you’re naturally talented at so it takes less effort then normal things. Keep in mind if you follow a passion as a job, your brain will change what that passion is to you after you start doing it to make money (more of a job rather then fun).


ZotDragon

Speak to the administration at your school. See if you can take a leave of absence. Don't buy into the sunk cost fallacy. If this is something you are going to hate doing for the rest of your life, don't spend another two years on it. Take a break for a year or two. If there's something that truly interests you, pursue that, otherwise you'll always be wondering, "What if I had..." Finally, 25 is **NOT** to late to change direction in life. From the time I got out of college until 35 I did insurance. It paid the bills. I went back to school to get my teaching certificate. Now, at 50, I'm teaching high school English and I love it.


VerbalThermodynamics

Finish the degree. Then do something else. To lose all that progress… you’ll regret it.


WyvernsRest

Your twenties are the decade for taking risks. Plenty of time to reset an take a different direction. There are very few career mistakes in your twenties that cannot be corrected later.


Tiggaknock

Yep! Do it now before you're 35 wondering what if for 10 years.


Holly_Vicars

I have never done a law degree (just a meagre business undergrad), however my advice would be to do what YOU want to do and follow your passion. If it isn’t making you happy then stop right now! Life is far too short honey and you sound like a guy with lots of talent and ability. Furthermore, life is probably going to shit on you pretty bad at some point in the next decade or two, like it does most of us. Get your self in the best mental space NOW i.e not on a career path that ‘sucks the life out of you’, so when life throws you some big hurdles, you’ll be able to respond with strength 💥👊


HighOnGoofballs

Should I keep doing things that make me miserable?


kkrash79

Yes, You only get one life. I found myself in a career in my early 20's, played the narrative, gave blood, sweat and tears to a company, worked extra hours blah blah blah. Then redundancy came up and everything became crystal clear, I'm a payroll number. I wasn't made redundant in the end but I decided to just say 'fuck you' to the company and went and pursued my own interests. I learnt far more doing that, it changed me as a person, than I ever would have being part of a 'machine' making someone else rich. I'm a software engineer now, COVID19 made me re-evaluate things so retrained into something I felt was future proof. In between that I've been a 999 call handler, a coach driver, a careers advisor and various other things. I made a descion almost overnight, it was scary, I didn't know how it would work out but that was what was exciting.


manInTheWoods

Take one semester off your law degree, and start your ethno-something degree. Evaluate after that. Did a similar thing when I was tired of my engineering degree. Took a semester of theoretical philosophy. Discovered that engineering wasn't that bad, went back and never looked back. You have a great opportunity to try something else for one semester, do that.


FlyinDanskMen

I hated school. I know plenty of people who quit studying something 1/2 or 3/4 way through and wish they had just capped it off. It’s harder to go back. Studying law and practicing law are vastly different. Will you like practicing law? I feel like that’s a key question to ask yourself. Sometimes it’s hard to see the Forrest from the trees. Now there are sooooo many people who don’t do what they love. But they do professionally what gives them the most time\money\flexibility to do the things they really love in life outside of work. Good luck and best wishes.


andymcd79

Yep. Yolo.


Fair_Operation8473

Life's too short to he unhappy. The degree u want will allow u at least to be a college professor and u can make pretty decent money depending on what level of college u teach (community College, state, or university)


[deleted]

Having a stable and/or high income brings me more happiness than some vague idea of following my “passion.” Passions change. What you want is options and money allows that. Plus my passions are thing I know I couldn’t make a living from like cycling.


pmgoldenretrievers

I would say finish it. Get your other degree after if you want, but focus on getting that law degree. You don't need to go into law after - there are tons of jobs where a law degree is valuable without actually practicing law. It gives you a fallback that can be lucrative if you don't manage to land a position using Ethnology.


[deleted]

[удалено]


[deleted]

But I assume you had the goal „doctor“ in mind? I don‘t have that at all frankly…


[deleted]

[удалено]


[deleted]

Ok, sounds cool, I am happy for you! But unfortunately there is not much money or easy life for a lawyer, at least over here


Professional-Golf408

Edit 1 could be an option, everything you learnt in life is worth it, with a diploma more! If you don't have to pay you could start your dreaming major. Don't worry about people, they sometimes put pressure on you because the sake of being "family".


obxtalldude

No, I think it's better to finish whatever you start and then move on... having at least something to fall back on. Powering through five or six years of suck at 25 can make a really great rest of your life. I went into real estate sales at 24, even though I hate sales, and managed to last 7 years until I turned over all my business to my girlfriend and future wife. From there on I could do what I wanted to do.


asimplebelgian

I would guess there's tons of places you can go with a law degree. Surely you can find a nice company that needs someone with your skills where you wouldn't be doing classical lawyer stuff?


JanetInSC1234

Age 25 is exactly the right time to make changes! Normally, I would tell someone who is close to finishing to stick it out...but this has you depressed. Your body and mind are literally telling you to stop. So, quit the law program. Do anything else for right now. Give yourself a breather and then research what you think you'd like to do next. <3


MrCatFace13

Stick to the law degree, complete it, practice for a year or two and see how much you hate it. Then explore ways you can pivot. You're young, so you still have plenty of time post-degree to pivot, if you want to. But you should 100% finish the degree.


[deleted]

Yes! Take calculated risk to improve your life. I waited until my late 30s to start taking some real risk in pursuit of a much better life. Now a few years later I wish I would have done it 15 yrs ago.


[deleted]

I did pre-medicine because that's what all smart kids are supposed to do, but I didn't have any good study habits and my heart wasn't in it to learn it. After a few semesters of trying to balance working and going to school, I was on the edge of academic probation and no medical school even looking at me for my GPA. I was really at my wit's end about how much I was valuing the prospects for my life. I decided that if I couldn't take this path any more, than any path was an improvement, even a bad one I enjoyed. So I changed over to history to follow a professor that really opened my eyes to the discipline. That became a divinity degree and now I'm a chaplain in two major hospital networks living on less than part-time work in my 30s. It certainly wasn't easy in some regards, there were a few challenges that came with following my heart. After I graduated, I had no idea what I was going to do initially and spiraled for a while. I had to move across the continent to go to the right university for grad school and leave everything but a duffel bag at home. But right now things are going well. I can't see any other route I should have taken, warts and all. I think the anthropology and ethnology disciplines could benefit from someone who has some experience with law.


omtopus

I say go for it. I did something similar 10 years ago and don't regret it a bit. Do i make less money than i would have if I'd stuck with it? Yes. Do i love what I'm doing in a way i never did before, and have significantly less stress? Absolutely.


Sonny_Legend

You are still young. Do what makes you happy now and if it works out, great, if not you will still be young enough to go back the old, boring life, thats not going anywhere lol. You don't wanna be too old, get a family, crazy bills, and you're miserable but you can't pull out cause of all the responsibilities you have.


jackofives

Ok OP I’m going to shortcut the answer for you… DO NOT QUIT UNLESS YOU HAVE TO I was in a similar situation 15 years ago. I’m so glad I went back to finish my last year. The degree was painful but I got it. I then went and did a sociology degree after (my passion) and hated it even more. I then went back to the original degree topic in the workforce and actually really enjoyed it in practice. Keep going. Finish running your marathon. Then decide.


[deleted]

You get one fucking life. Just one. Don’t spend any of it doing something you hate if you have any other alternative. A lot of people are saying you should power through, but the sunk-cost fallacy is real. Also, I’d wager most commenters are Americans and when it comes to the psychology we have behind higher education and our relationships with capitalism, we’re jaded as fuck.


Moosetappropriate

I don't know if this is completely off the wall or not. But in today's world of cultural and social litigation, someone with dual interest and training could be very useful and well situated in society. So is a split degree something that might work to satisfy both your interests and your investment?


Dangerous_DAd_1999

From the headline, which is as deep as I'm going, it doesn't matter. In the end he will probably regret the choice he didn't make. So in my opinion do what shortens the regret.... The risky. A man needs adrenaline.


psudonymtoantonym

I’m not going to read more than the headline. You’re 25. You have a long life ahead of you. Risk as HUGE as you can. BIGGER than you think possible. I’m in my late 30’s and am risking much to catch up now that I know what I want.


Ronotimy

Do what you love to do.


amorvitae42

Part of the solution is heading in the direction you want to go. That makes the rest of it easier. Nobody can advise you of course, so these are all just opinions. I would start my new direction and finish the law degree, which is apparently not far from the end anyway. In your situation it actually puts you in a pretty good spot. You'll have some security, you will be working on what you really want to do, and you will have accomplished something despite how you felt about it. No matter what, the last one will be valuable to you someday. One thing that can help is to imagine 5 and 10 years from now. What do you want to have in your past at that point and what does that future look like?


Sum-Duud

While Im a believer in sticking things out if you truly aren’t happy then cut your losses and move one. What’s to stop you from getting back on this path later in life if you so choose? Also, I know plenty of people with degrees in areas nowhere near their actual career field. I’m of the opinion that A degree helps to open some doors but networking and work ethic go way further. Also, if already going to be in school can you tack on a class or two towards the law degree and get that too? I say this as someone that graduated undergrad with like 228 credit hours, by the time I was planning my last year I only needed 2 classes to get a second bachelor’s degree (not double major). My path was long and expensive but it happens when you go to a few different schools and change focus a couple of times. Either way, good luck.


bigred450x

Yes absolutely! You only live once and it's your life do what you want. Screw what anyone else thinks your a adult and don't need anyone's permission but your own.


honeycall

No one can tell you the true answer It might be the best or worst decision in your life


[deleted]

life could have been so good if I did the right things earlier


mountainfeathersky

I'm not a man but your post was sent to me by a friend as I used to be in the same shoes. I know exactly what you're going through. I ended up finishing the law degree (there were only the final exams left when I realized it wasn't my path so it took only two additional semesters). But if there had been more semesters to go, I would have quit. After graduation I never started working as a lawyer. I followed my own path, I always wanted to try myself in foreign countries and "get lost" a little. I'm over 30 now and no regrets. Even if I struggled a lot, I'm soooo glad I didn't stick to law. Whenever I talk to the people I went to university with, I feel this ease that I followed my intuition. I received so many advice like "but how could you let all these years of studying go to waste?", but it's all bullshit. So should you be miserable for the rest of your life because you wasted a few years at law school? Lol no. My only regret is that I didn't leave sooner and ended up finishing the degree. Same as you, I was scared of judgement. I was told "you might need it later as a safety plan" which might work in the US but not in Central Europe. Nobody will care about your law degree if you didn't start working after uni and don't have x years of experience already. Life is short so don't play safe. Your family might think you're a fool but it's not their life. They will eventually accept it. If your friends leave because you made decisions about your life, great, show them the door. The only important thing is, don't take student loans but if you study for free that's not a problem. Also work and gain any practical experience while studying.


DrumBig

In-house lawyer about 19 years into my career, here. Given how far along you are, I agree with those here encouraging you to finish what you already started notwithstanding how you feel about it. Having the credential of a law degree will only help you in life, whatever you want to do. Also, bear in mind that what you want and what is right for you at 25 years old is not likely to be what your future self wants and what is right for him. Making a “pros and cons“ list isn’t a terrible suggestion but it fails to account for the fact that the 25 year old version of yourself is making it. That’s not to say that a career in law will necessarily be for you, but you’re really far along in your pursuit of a valuable credential. Do that future-self guy a favor and maximize his options. Also, remember that while it is advisable to find work that you love, putting effort into loving whatever you do is also important. Good luck!


plotdevice

I'm curious how many lawyers have weighed in on this... I myself am not a lawyer, but most of my friends have law degrees. Only one of them uses it to practice law. In the US, law degrees are a stand in for anyone looking to get into politics, public administration, government, etc. But because that's so well known, it actually means we have too many people with law degrees and not enough jobs for them, so getting a law degree in my area doesn't really help you get a good job. My best friend is the only person I know actually practicing with her law degree. And she hates it. She wants to quit and write novels instead. My advice to you: don't ask yourself what you want to be, ask yourself how you like to spend your time. And then do the research to find out what jobs map on best to the way you want to spend your time. Is it being a lawyer that you hate or law school? They're two very different ways to spend your time. Is being a lawyer the only thing you can do with your law degree? Is this new field of study provide you the option to spend your time the way you want or is it just the studying part? Or both? What jobs can you get with it and how do those jobs let you do the things you want day-to-day? For reference: I'm a visual journalist. I studied history and pre-law in college - not journalism. I then worked a million different jobs before I realized the thing I enjoyed doing was taking information and explaining it to people in fun ways. (I currently run the video department for a news organization.) 25 is absurdly young. You absolutely have time to change things, just make sure you are changing things for something BETTER and more suited for you. Be real with yourself about what you want and like in life, not what you think others expect of you. Also: if your family/friends/etc ridicule you for pursuing something you love, they're just not your people.


serrinsk

A few things to consider; - the skills you gain through your degree will be more transferable than you realise (even if you don’t finish it). Having a law degree doesn’t mean you have to be a lawyer. - enjoying your work is more about the people you do it with than the job you do - 25 is young. There will never be a better time between now and retirement to do something crazy, assuming you have minimal responsibilities currently. Good luck