Bucket List #2 - Graduate college

Item #2 from my bucket list is complete. Here is the story:

On May 16, 2008 I participated in the School of Engineering Graduation Ceremony. Below is a lovely picture screenshot of a proof of me receiving my diploma. That day I thought, "18 years of school and I am never going back." I think one day in the (distant) future I may go back to school to get an MBA but not anytime soon.

 

It only took 5 years, but I graduated! I passed 136 credits and completed the requirements for a Bachelors of Science in Electrical Engineering from Virginia Commonwealth University. Sadly I was only 1 credit hour away from a minor in mathematics and 4 credits away from a minor in physics. My GPA will remain unpublished but it is safe to say it was not on my resume.

I am a first generation college graduate. For this I am very proud. Although, it must have been and act of God that I graduated. There were a couple classes that some friends really helped me through and I barely passed them. There was (maybe) one class were I was helping people through. Actually, that is probably because I was repeating it since I failed the first (or second) time. There was one class, in my final semester, that I struggled through all semester; After the final (which I am convince I bombed) I talked to the professor to inquire about extra credit or so something to ensure I would graduate. He told me not to worry. A week later, my grade was posted - I got a C!

Richmond... we have a love-hate relationship. As a student, it was great that everything was walking or biking distance. I never had a car in college so I bought groceries one backpack at a time. I love all the local restaurants; they have so much variety. I really enjoyed the river and the mountain biking trails near by. I don't think I would move back there. Numerous friends were mugged, robbed, and had car windows smashed. I always carried a knife when I was in Richmond. I am glad I never had to pull it (thank God) but I was always prepared to. I never felt scared when I was there but I didn't feel safe. I wouldn't want my family to feel that way on a daily basis.

 

If I were to do this again, what would I do differently?

This is a really hard one. I definitely enjoyed my time at college. I definitely matured and grew but at what expense? If I knew what I know now when I graduated high school, I don't think I would have gone to VCU or maybe even college. When I was a senior in high school the decision was pretty easy: I was accepted to GMU and VCU, the only schools I applied to. GMU was too close to my parents and I wanted to get away. Nothing else came into the decision making process. I did not know anything about finances or how I would pay for school but I was set on getting out of my parents house. Every month (when I pay my student loans) I am forced to remember how important and costly that decision was.
I think my life would be drastically different if I had gone to GMU (or no college at all) but I am so thankful for everything in my life (wife, kids, job, etc.) that I wouldn't change it.

Did you go to college?
Do you look back and think that is a huge decision for a 18 year old to make?
Do you plan to go back to school?