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my decision

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  1. number1pen number1pen is offline

    Los Angeles, CA
    United States

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    Sep 27th, 2006 (9/27/2006 1:53pm)

    I feel obligated to post my decision about school with so many opinions, advice, and stories I received of which I am very thankful for. It seemed like a lot of people really did care about my decision and wanted to help, so thank u! Ultimately i dropped out, but with a few astericks...

    First, I read over everyones posts, and talked to people through PMs and AIM constantly over the last 2 days. I talked to my dad and other family members and close friends about it, everyone having their own opinion. I put alot of thought into it to weigh out all the factors and make sure that I wouldnt skip over something that would make me regret dropping out.

    I think some of the biggest factors that weighed into my decision was my dads surprising non-resistance to me dropping out. He said that he would support me either way and although he would hope that I get a degree, he understands where I am coming from and wants me to be successful in poker. Another fairly big factor was the amount of money that I will be able to make without school in the way of poker. I made double during the 3 months of summer of what I did during the 9 months of school, mostly due to having more free time to play bigger tournaments, so spread that over 2+ years of school, and thats costing me a lot of money. I also wanted to be able to play in wpts during the winter especially and 1 or 2 during the spring that school would simply not allow me to do. I know I have years of poker ahead of me, but I think it would be cool to perhaps be the youngest wpt winner ever or atleast participate in alot at a young age (not the biggest factor)

    As for the school aspects of it, I came to the conclusion that school just isnt for me at this point in my life. I have very little motivation to listen to lectures, studying and writing papers. I know that no one enjoys it, but i dont think its worth the time for me to put in so much time and come away with a history degree that I will never use.

    The toughest part about this was telling society that I had given up (temporarily) to complete school. My sister dropped out of school fairly recently with the intention of going back, so this wasnt a good academic week in my family and although no one said anything, im sure relatives and family friends are fairly disappointed that neither of us will be in school this quarter. I also havent told some of my best friends which will be difficult (theyre going to ucla with 3.8+ gpas and going to law school).

    The good news is that I went to the consiling office here at UCI and they said that I could potentially take 2 years off school, then jump back in like I was going to school tomorrow. I was very happy to hear this as I dont know if I will go back to school, but if I do, it will be back at UCI, a very respectable and tough college to get into, rather than starting back at a junior college.

    Anyways, I just wanted to thank the community again with all the responses as I took each one into consideration, and helped me make what I hope will be a good decision

    see u all on on the tables... alot more now :)

    Peter
     
  2. FerrariBoy FerrariBoy is offline

    Northville, MI
    United States

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    Sep 27th, 2006 (9/27/2006 1:58pm) in reply to number1pen

    Good luck with everything Pen, I'm sure everything will workout well for you.
  3. Sokpuppet7 Sokpuppet7 is offline

    Fort Worth, TX
    United States

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    Sep 27th, 2006 (9/27/2006 2:01pm) in reply to number1pen

    It always helps to have a supportive family... I know this decision will work out well for you, as you're one of the best players out there right now. You've made the decision that you feel is the best one for you and you shouldn't question it. You have my AIM, so drop me a line anytime you need anything. GL in life and w/ your career in poker. -Sok
  4. BKiCe BKiCe is offline

    Las Vegas, NV
    United States

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    Sep 27th, 2006 (9/27/2006 2:01pm) in reply to number1pen

    interesting... i'm not as successful as you yet but i have many of the same thoughts/feelings as you and am thinking about making the same decision. gl with everything, would love to hear/read updates - do you have a blog?
  5. Crazy Cypriot Crazy Cypriot is offline

    Lefkosia
    Cyprus

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    Sep 27th, 2006 (9/27/2006 2:02pm) in reply to BKiCe

    best of luck pen! be prepared and be strong for the tough periods
     
  6. mscheesecake mscheesecake is offline

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    Sep 27th, 2006 (9/27/2006 2:04pm) in reply to number1pen

    Good for you...I think the biggest regret one can have is not doing what they want to do what someone else wants. I'm glad to hear your dad was supportive too, that makes it a lot easier. Best of luck with everything.
  7. Jennifear Jennifear is offline

    Niagara Falls, NY
    United States

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    Sep 27th, 2006 (9/27/2006 2:05pm) in reply to number1pen

    I think your decision sucks....for most people.

    However, I think you will be just fine :)

    I'm glad you weighed all factors and didn't make a hasty decision.

    GL in all that you do!
  8. number1pen number1pen is offline

    Los Angeles, CA
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    Sep 27th, 2006 (9/27/2006 2:06pm) in reply to BKiCe

    no blog yet, but could see making one soon with more free time
     
    Thread Starter
  9. nowapowa nowapowa is offline

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    Sep 27th, 2006 (9/27/2006 2:15pm) in reply to number1pen

    "I know that no one enjoys it"

    Remember that learning is something that can and should be enjoyed. I agree that it would be a waste of money, time and education for you to be in school right now, but when you are ready to enjoy the experience, you'll be able to go back with motivation on your side.

    GL in the coming years, but don't forget about the potential to expand your brain in ways that aren't possible without reading and shared inquiry.

    -nowa
  10. delete4 delete4 is offline

    Tempe, AZ
    United States

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    Sep 27th, 2006 (9/27/2006 2:25pm) in reply to number1pen

    having family support is huge... my parents know i play recreationally but they despise me playing for large amounts of money so i have not told them that i have been playing pretty seriously for the last few months online... my goal is to be able to do the things i want to do when i want to do them (and to be financially secure to do them obviously)...

    i hope to get to the point where i can can approach them and have their support... i wont be doing that until i make more money playing cards than i do being a software engineer... but my game is on the rise and im confident that day is coming sometime in the near future...

    best of luck to u as a professional... from what ive heard u probably wont need it :)
  11. y0y0y0y0y083 y0y0y0y0y083 is offline

    Hong Kong

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    Sep 27th, 2006 (9/27/2006 5:28pm) in reply to number1pen

    gL pen, stay tough!!!
  12. timzc1 timzc1 is offline

    Vancouver
    Canada

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    Sep 27th, 2006 (9/27/2006 5:37pm) in reply to y0y0y0y0y083

    the fact that you can take 2 years off and jump right back in if you want / need to is great.

    best of luck in your poker career...

    --tc
  13. wavegoodbye wavegoodbye is offline

    Acme
    Canada

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    Sep 27th, 2006 (9/27/2006 5:47pm) in reply to timzc1

    Pen, congrats on going out on a limb and taking a risk, best of luck.

    Now the advice part...

    Don't just play poker all day. Get some good hobbies, do some investing with your money, take cool vacations, hey even a part time "Real" Job might help. Basically, don't make it harder on yourself than the game already is. You will have times when you question your decision, be sure you have more in your life than just poker (and hookers and blow should not be the answer to this question).

    GL
    WAVE
  14. Mr.Treadway Mr.Treadway is offline

    Spring, TX
    United States

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    Sep 27th, 2006 (9/27/2006 5:56pm) in reply to wavegoodbye

    My opinion may not mean much. But, my only similarity in my life that has to do with this is my aunt. My aunt and uncle built a multi million dollar company from nothing and then sold it to an oil company called Schlumberger. Of course she busted her ass to accomplish this. I talk to her now, and she says her only regret is that she never got a college degree. Obviously its all personal basis, and personal reasoning for some people finishing and others not. I just thought i'd give my .02. Also though, she is on a ton of "boards" and obviously while she is the most successful on these boards, she is constantly around people who went to college and got degrees. Therefore, i believe that is why she regrets it so much. But like I said, y'alls situations are different. I just thought I'd throw that out there because it's the only way I could relate, and just thought I'd share it.. Follow your heart. It will NEVER steer you wrong. College will always be there. If your the flashy type like myself, it doesn't hurt to pull up to college in your new Benz or what have you.... Of course i'm a struggling player like most.. I am trying to treat poker like college, studying and taking notes. Still need a lot of help.. But i'm working on it... I'm done rambling. Good luck in whatever you choose.
  15. Metric Eight Metric Eight is offline

    Rancho Cucamonga, CA
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    Sep 27th, 2006 (9/27/2006 5:57pm) in reply to wavegoodbye

    Although nice!
  16. Ari Ari is offline

    Toronto
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    Sep 27th, 2006 (9/27/2006 6:01pm) in reply to number1pen

    gg poker world, I mean, GL with your decision. See u more often @ the tables.
     31
  17. FinalTablle FinalTablle is offline Disabled account

    Baltimore, MD
    United States

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    Sep 27th, 2006 (9/27/2006 6:02pm) in reply to number1pen

    GL Pen. I just want to say that there would be nothing wrong with taking one or two classes online a semester. They really are easy and in two years you would be that much more ahead of where you would be now. That is a route I have taken and I am very glad I did bc now that I am back to full time I dont have nearly the amount of school left. It really only takes about two hours a week for that course load online.

    Either way best of luck with your decision...
  18. ShortStack3 ShortStack3 is offline

    NE
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    Sep 27th, 2006 (9/27/2006 6:03pm) in reply to Metric Eight

    Rank #1Pen!
  19. GambleAB GambleAB is offline 1. I'm awesome

    Las Vegas, NV
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    Sep 27th, 2006 (9/27/2006 6:29pm) in reply to number1pen

    Am I the only one who finds it amusing that at the end of a long post about how you are dropping out of school....you misspell "a lot"?

    Sorry, I couldn't help myself.
     
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