One year ago, I left everything and moved to Washington

GeekBoyChrisOnlySometimes

387809

7964

284

This is all I had for a bed, until 2 weeks ago. A sleeping bag on (practically) concrete. It was worth it though, as I finally got to pursue the college degree/career of my dreams.

I 'spoiled' myself and bought a bed for my birthday. It was used, but cost me $60. I can finally sleep.

I've had girls stop dating me because I'm poor/college focused, gone through weeks where I could truly afford nothing but ramen, and had days where I wasn't able to sleep if I wanted to finish my schoolwork with my 21 credit semesters.

But I don't care. I can finally sleep again. I'm even tearing up slightly because of this. It's a huge deal for me.

Good night, Imgur.

Time for an update! I woke up this morning with my inbox absolutely full! You guys have such a MASSIVE HEART it's blowing my mind. People from all over the world have been wanting to send me money, food, bedding... @cornedbeefhash even wants to send a quilt!
You all are literally too much. Thank you SO MUCH for your massive hearts and incredible generosity.

I'm gonna tag a bunch of people who wanted to send me things... PLEASE go be amazing upvote fairies and spread the love. There's only so much I can do to pay them back until I graduate.
@SassyKoala1
@Doubleschnell
@NeverNonplussed
@pmcd95
@sherlocklives
@FisterTherapist
@iamthescatman
@GermanCaveJohnson
@Casztiel
@cornedbeefhash
@nikkicarter11
@jbeeio
@trignitatres for the AWESOME doodle! :D
@Blackrabbi
@Ruchizzle
@Jilian

... SO many more names than I realized. I feel so blessed right now... I want to do nothing but give back to these amazing users and everyone else. Thank you so much. I swear, I only wanted to post a bed picture!!!

Desktopia

nighty night x

12 years ago |

Candymostdandy

It fits perfectly in the nook, very satisfying, I hope it serves you well in matters of sleep and other activities.

Idra

Sleep tight love

asil

Obviously I've never met you, OP, but I am insanely proud of you!

Thank you asil :) I honest to God want to make a post once I graduate, thanking everyone here. It's a weird feeling, but... yes :) Exactly.

SelesnyaInTheStreetsRakdosInTheSheets

Check the mattress for any bedbugs or mites or things. used mattresses are iffy in that regard. good job though!

ShakeZula77

Forget those girls! You're on your way to the top!

DefundIsraelTheGenocidalNation

Dude, work hard, do well in school, it will be worth it in the end, trust me.You'll be making bank, partying and drowning in pussy later!

stappystap

Proud of you. I've always taken 21 credits. Last semester I took 21 credits and had a part time job. Finally graduated. :)

Wow. Absolutely mad props to you. I've tried taking classes and working on the side. I figured, if I could do 21 credits, I could...

easily do 15 and work on the side. Nope. My grades tanked, and I had a 1.0 GPA that year. Never again. I wish I could have!

PenisOfDeath

Congrats OP!

Iplaythetuba

I don't know where in Washington you live. but the church I go to has a food bank every last Sunday. it's in the Yakima valley.

I hope your close enough. oh if your not comfortable with church you don't have to go to it. just show up to the foodbank.

strangeduck

I am just starting a most likely very similar path. Moving in a month to go to school. This scares me, but encourages me even more

krystyanatemple

What college are you going to? I'm at WSU in Pullman and can help you find some resources around.

Hi from Redmond! I'm still learning about Washington, looks like you're 4 hours east! I'm taking classes at the DigiPen Institute of Tech.

DrivebyViktum

I only wish I had more than one upvote for you.

rebelhead

Use Freecycle and post a wanted ad! People out there care man!

thatonechickwiththethingthatonetimeatthatoneplacewiththestuff

This. You wouldn't believe the stuff you can snag up from there.

somerandomgeochick

Freecycle?

https://www.freecycle.org/

Sheepiebeepie

When I didn't need my bed (id slept on the floor for a year prior) anymore I gave it away on freecycle. Check it out, it's a good site.

Berethian

As a 35 year old mature age student... dude. I understand entirely. I've been here. Still rough going. Stay strong.

No joke. It's awkwardly different when you're older! I'm 28, and it's SO DIFFERENT. Not bad, just... You know what I mean! Keep it up. :D

AlteredGhecko

My lack of compliment skills is showing. I proud you.

Smiles here.

MagnificentButcher

grats! ya driven mofo

ZOMGNO

OP, you are going to live a long life, and this is just a blip in it. Give it your all <3 Congrats on the bed! Sleep tight!!!!!!

Batshitgrotto

Godspeed, OP. I arrived in my current city the same way. Badass.

148

whooshby

Me too. Sleeping on the floor. No furniture but a card table & 1 folding chair. This was after college for my first job in another state.1/2

In debt, waiting for the pay checks to accumulate while I ate pot pies, mac&cheese, & spaghetti. Trying not to run the A/C in Miss. is hard.

Oh God. That sounds unbearable.

CompuGlobalHyperMegDotNet

Priorities are a bitch, congrats on the bed, sleep tight.

SillyJack

night buddy

InDogsWeThrust

ah-AH-aaaaah, fighter of the day buddy

koopaya

sweet prince

Nightley

Now, now, it's a little bit early for that.

TheBlackGuy

I'mstill FKing AWAKE! It's 7:38am and I have to be in class by 8.. Ain't this some shit? I hostest fell like if floating. (1/2)

Literally floating up and down as I type (2/2)

OneTiger64

I'm sorry that america is so corporate owned that you can't go to college for free like it should be. Debt sucks :(

Bagelz

People who have had a bed their whole lives don't understand what it's like to buy one and say "This is My bed,No one can take that from me"

171

Been there, spent 8 hours building the bed myself too I was so happy to finally have one.

If I did that it would end up being a waterbed, and by that I mean id just fill a large balloon with water and sleep on it.

RChrono

I slept on the floor for almost 9 months when I lived in Texas. Let me tell you, it really makes you appreciate the small things in life.

Yeah for a bit I was living in a closet, but even then I had an old mattress pad that I folded into a taco, I had a taco bed.

khora

I'm sure people can take the bed, if they really try.

Thems be fightin' words. They can try but I can't say they won't meet the dukes.

Good on you. I live in Washington myself. I moved out of my parents and had next to nothing. Was borrowing a futon when the owner told me th

they needed it back, so I bought a bed and just stared at it for about 20 minutes. It was the first thing that truely no one could take.

It's the best feeling in the world knowing something is truely yours and you are free from the things of the past.

FaceOfBeaux

"I've never had one of my own before" "What, you're own room?" "My own bed." -Blind Side

As pointed out, *your*.. I messed up. I'm sorry.

FlyingTigerRose

That's precisely what went through my mind.

I love that movie. So sad, yeah that line hit me pretty hard.

thatwilldopig

My last bf had never slept with a pillow because they were so poor growing up. I gave him one of my flat ones and he cried.

Ryvan

Aw :( that's so sad and sweet at the same time

When we broke up, he tried to give it back. I was like - dude, I have 5 pillows on my bed. Keep it. Do you want another?

Aww :( That's so sweet of you!

NIC0LANGEL0

Also... very sad :'(

As a Pillow enthusiast, I say thank you for your great service for that guy. Everyone deserves the cool side of a pillow.

One could say I'm a pillow enthusiast too. I'm down to *only* 5 pillows on my bed at night.

Haha yeah I used to have an upwards of that many, It made me sad to think of getting rid of them. I only have 3 now.

I use two for my head and one for either side of me to drape my arms over so my shoulders don't cave in. 5th between the knees to align hips

Drpurrpurrpurr

There is financial aid - if you can't afford a bed, you should qualify. It does NOT have to be this hard.

wooaly28

Definitely a great point. There are scholarships, grants, gov aid, fill out a fafsa for next semeste

You know, that's just it. I've been working at it for a while. I'm 28, don't work while taking the classes and my parents own their own...

business. So, I can't qualify for student loans (other than government ones). The school has given me grants and scholarships, but they only

even out what is needed for classes. Still trying to work out details for food and rent during the year! Trying to see if I can make enough

through work, to pre-pay 6 months of rent, which would help greatly!

engraced

If you happen to have an Amazon wishlist, you should post it. They do have non-perishable food on Amazon.

KittenWiggles

After 25, you should be considered an independent student and so your parents info wouldn't even go on the financial aid forms.

TheTrueChosenJuan

Mate, if half the people in our country had your sort of self drive and focus, we'd be set as a nation. Keep it up, and be well.

skyhook

Fuck bitches, get semester hours.

buttobviousfacts

..but but..he said the bitches aren't ready to be fucked.

SomeDetroitGuy

Check into government assistance. You likely can get food aid, at least.

821

rdrdtheta

Some folks don't want that. There are more than one account of people inspired by Thoreau's Walden.

boredgingerguy

They wouldn't give him shit. He actually works hard and is trying to improve his life.

AudreySingson

read "kool-aid"

neondemonn

Unfortunately he needs to be working at least 20 hours/week to qualify. It's stupid.

TARDVARK

In Illinois you are eligible if you qualify for Federal Work Study. Always visit a case worker to know for sure. The rules are complex.

And vary greatly by state.

VictoriaAakaVanellope

The government fucks students. When I applied for SNAP, I stupidly put that I was a student, and they said "well you should get student (1)

loans to pay for the stuff that you need" she seriously said that during my interview I was furious, I was like seriously so Im supposed (2)

to use the money the government is loaning me to get an education, to pay for my food and monthly bills, uhhh I think not.

leumasmc

Every college has free food somewhere, or better yet... become a president of a subsidised club. Our Uni had the waffle club.

107

ultimatejosh

You take 21 credit hours and try to do literally anything else. Not happening

MasterPrime

12 credit hours is generally a commitment of 20 hours in class and 20 hours of independent study. 21 credit hours is fucking insane.

They uaed their club stipend to buy waffles every Wednesday morning.

Here, each time you attend a club meeting, you get a free food ticket. Two slices of pizza and soda. Only way I manage! I 'attend' a club...

and do homework until I get my coupon :P

Enayla

I knew someone who fed themselves for their four years of college by taking food past the sell-by date from behind a Trader Joes.

OtakutiePie

Freegans are my favorite people.

hotfezz

you might be able to get a relationship going with local takeaways? Work for food or just beg the stuff they're about to throw out?

In the UK we have student unions whose sole purpose is supplying students with info and opportunities, can you reach for aid from the uni?

imtherealmvp

Female here. I respect AND find it much sexier that you are so invested in your education than your wallet or your home.

I'm sorry those girls you were with didn't see that.

Thank you :) But everyone in life have their own priorities and agenda. It's not their job to drop everything and care for me like that.

KacerRex

Which college in WA?

iamteaya

Probably Evergreen

atown1z

Are you in the Seattle area?

Just east of. When I've had a couple bucks, I've taken the bus over to Seattle and checked out the Seattle Public Market. Absolutely amazing

chromie

Most worthwhile tourist trap ever, Pike Place Market is. Welcome to Seattle. This is the place to be & you're in it!

Oh God. So many people wanting to know what college!

Whoops! Hit enter. I'm taking classes at the DigiPen Institute of Technology.

JenkHankins

My friend goes there!

electronicdr1p

I might be doing the same thing this fall! Its awesome that you've done this, and thank you for sharing.

Kosh3rBacon

I know a guy going there, and one who will be going there.

FlibbityFoobleBee

I know Claude!! Lol

BigguBampin

Woooow, I was thinking about going there, actually!

Don't get me wrong or misunderstand the post! The school is amazing and tough as nails, but 100% worth it. Without a doubt.

Oh, I didn't take away anything but good approval. Not sure I'm qualified to get in atm though. :p I had simply found it captivating.

KNaph

I too would like to know.

Haha! I'm taking classes at the DigiPen Institute of Technology.

Very nice. One of my friend's sisters is about to go there. I've heard a lot of good stuff about DigiPen. How'd you hear about DigiPen?

[deleted]

12 years ago (deleted Jun 21, 2015 10:53 PM) |

seastarontheseashore

A lot of American college kids are living below the poverty line just to afford an education.

You know, I'm surprised more people didn't question it, but no. I swear it's 100% legit.

iBoughtThisUsernameOnEbay

Your lack of attitude in response to my scoffed remark makes me warm. Good on you OP. For real. Phenomenal attitude. Love it. Surround (1/2)

Thanks, friend :) I couldn't muster up an ounce of sarcasm right now. Which I swear isn't also sarcasm! Ignore the downvotes, you absolute..

did the right thing in questioning OP. We all see too many pleas for attention and such to not be worried here and there.

my sincere apologies for no second comment. Basically you rule. Keep on keepin on. Drunk poster

IGotItDude

21 credits? you are insane. Mad respect though

1538

vadge

I have no idea what any of you are talking about

theinternetisascaryplace

2 majors and a minor with lots of service courses included I averaged 22 credit hours a semester. Its more normal than you think.

ZombieEinstein

Going into my fifth year, I've never done fewer than 19 credits a semester. Dual engineering major and mathematics minor.

And during those 19 credit semesters I've wondered what am I supposed to do with all my "free time"

TransverseHomoclinicPoint

I had that too because I wanted to finish a Math&Physics double major in 4 yrs, which is how long my scholarships lasted.

IGotLostAtDildos

I wanted to do a Computer Science/Math double major but it's going to be hard enough to do Comp Sci in two years. (Transfer) (1/2)

Smugfish27

Holy shit math and physics? RESPECT

It's not that it's hard or a lot, it's mainly due to the way computer science classes work. All of my electives will be my second year.(2/2)

MoreWatermelonLessCrack

Physics is brain murder... At least for me.

BrohannSebastianBach

Gotta do what you gotta do. I came into school taking 20 per semester while working weekends. Needless to say, social life wasn't an option

TisNagim

And to really mess up your perspective, at my US college, the average credit load per semester was 4.5

teaismylife

My Canadian uni was 5 per year max 6. 1 credit=one full year course. Most courses were 0.5. 20 credits was what I needed to graduate.

TheSisko

Same. I attended a private college. Typical class was 1 credit, class with lab or service learning component was 1.25.

MadamPuddifoot

What? Average of everyone I know was 12.

1 credit per class, and 1/4-1/2 credit for labs and non-semester long classes

CanIHaveOneOfYourFriesNoLikeJustOne

Average load here is 15! 3 credits per course

1 credit per major course, no matter the difficulty level

FartedWhileMakingUpName

You can't just post that and NOT explain yourself!

my college was kinda messed up and every class, no matter the level was given 1 credit, with .25-.5 given for labs and half semester classes

with an ideal yearly class load of 9-10 credits

ItBuildsCharacter

It builds character

lordjesustheresafire

I usually did 19-20 when I was in college, but I was also a double-majoring over-achiever and didn't sleep much.

anotherrainydayinmylife

I did 22 once in college, thought it was bad until vet school. 22 was nothing.

InboxMeWhatYouLove

In India we have 35-42 credits in first two sems. The load reduces though. I had 27 credits last sem..

myohmy

My last semester of college, I was taking 24 credit hours and working 37 hrs a week.

And I graduated a semester early with Honors. So it's possible if you put your mind to it.

Onyxhammer

I did +20credits every semester with accelerated/compressed with a full time job. Work 8-5, class 6-10 for 2 years.

Laycaris

The most I ever tackled was 19 with a double major in Education and Welding Technology. Oddly, I work in neither field now.

obvious2679

I did 22 credits for a semester. I was miserable. Scaled back to 18 for the rest of school, which was ok.

alaskanfirebunny

Completely depends on the school; attended 2 colleges and first 2 yrs had 5 credit classes for everything but next 2 were 1-3 credit max

thismademefailmyfinals

My last semester I did 24 credits. I made it through and passed everything. Sure most nights I had to sacrifice sleep but it was worth it.

dudeface

That's really not that terrible. Not trying to put him/her down, but really. It's not.

valentinevar

I did a few 22 cr semesters and they were a breeze. Did a few 12 cr semestees that were ridiculously hard. It all depends on the classes.

mialynneb

I took 21 credit my last quarter of college to avoid having to take summer classes. 10 years ago, and I still feel tired from it.

Arceus

Average is 16 units a semesters. For myself, I had to push to get 25.5 units. Bitch to do but 3 years of school work in 2 years. ^_^

Though I'm in a better situation than OP since I still live with my parents, I could manage. In his situation, I'd just cry in a corner.

Keep it up OP! The money is at the end of the tunnel!

Scientificevidence

Assuming 1 credit = 27h, that's about 9 and 1/2 weeks of working 10h days, for 6 day a week kids. A regular semester is 8h, 5 days per week.

iliketokeepitsimplestupid

That sounds so easy...

AvelineVallen

I think this is using the ~4 credits = 1 class system, so it'd be more like fiveish classes while the standard workload is four.

InhibitedCurve

Depends on the course and the school. Classes with labs were 4 where I went and others, unless they were 400 or 500 level always 3.

acidfart

I had 24 credits before. Good times

telinagaming

I had 30 one semester, but I'm from germany so I guess its different? (I also know people which are doing 40)

saxophone

I'm a music education major and I had to take 21-22 each semester.

bitchinmona

Agreed. Did a 24-credit semester once (plus working part-time) & nearly went legitimately crazy. This was 6 classes. OP's doing 7, I think.

ithinkmycatisbatman

is it really a big thing on america? we take 24 credits every semester.

TheFenceJumper

And semester for me are 6weeks

PuzzledBunny

That's normal for my school.

Ringshadow

I carried 24 credits for a few terms at DeVry. The lightest term was 14 and it was also the worst. Fuck DeVry man.

What are credits here? The uni I went to 1 credit=1 full year course 0.5 credits=1 half year course full course load 5 credits with a max 6

Kimiroko

We have different classes per half year. 1 half year class is usually 3 credits. Labs are usually 1 credit. For me, max is 18 credits/sem.

vehagn

What's the normal workload? In Norway the normal workload is 30 credits each semestre, so it's obviously different.

175

12 is considered full-time, for financial aid purposes. 4 classes is average. Some schools use 3-credit system, some use 4.

suihcta

at my US school, 12 was the minimum for "full-time" and you had to pay extra tuition if you took more than 18.

it worked out to more-or-less the number of hours in the classroom per week. most classes were 3 cr.hrs., and they were either 60 minutes...

MWF or 90 minutes TH. that's for ten consecutive weeks, plus final exams.

younotbigshit

At my university, 21 credit hours (which I am doing next semester) is 6 full classes, a lab and three half credit "intern" classes.

Each of the half credit classes are 40 hours of student teaching.

FilthyHobbitses

12 credit hours in minimum to be a full time student. (4 classes 3 hrs a week.) I usually take 15. (5 classes at 3 hrs/week.)

danknugget

In the UK it's 60 per semester, all these different systems...

UK credits are worth ~15h, so divide by 2 for ECTS.

ThatDudeRightThere

Same in Romania. 240 credits by the end of year 4th = diploma.

kanybal

Won't Romania "join" the European system? 180 for licence, 300 for master's degree

BaconCompletesMe

in the philippines my credits for my BS Psychology 1st year 1st semester is 42 units...

Engineering/compsci is about 18 a semester.

Justinicus

Architecture studio was a 4cr class... 12hrs of class time/wk, plus another 20hrs min of additional work. Should've gotten WAY more credit!

GaelicGiraffe

American college student here! It depends on the school but a full load is typically 13-15 credits, or approx 4-5 classes.

We go more by what the class is worth (usually 2-4cr each) rather than hrs. For an associates degree you need 60+ cr. my 4cr classes are 3hr

ILikeCoke

Had a 1 credit hour lab that took 6 hours to finish, not counting for homework. Ugh.

That's typical of lab credits...

COVERMEPORKIN5

In Portugal the normal is also 30 credits

dorksided

full time is considered 12 units. at a semester-based school, most classes run about 3 units unless it's science or math, than 5 or 6 units.

noxdracoria

in both Canada and the USA one course is roughly 3 credits/units. A typical semester is usually a max of 5 classes of 15 credits/units

therefore 21 credits is roughly 7 courses in one semester... which is crazy.

VrryBurntpork

Full time is 12+, a full load is 15+. Does one credit = 50-60 minutes of lecture in Norway like it does here? If so, holy shit...

annerbananers

American here! At my school, 12credits are required to be "full time", but a full lead is considered 21credits.

TheGayPenguin

At the schools I've gone to, you had to ask a department head if you wanted to take more than 18.

Oops...full *load

GeneralWho

At our school, 12 was full time and 18 was considered full-load. Anything above that required an advisor signature to avoid student overload

Interesting...we're allowed to go above 21, but you're required to pay $300 for every credit over. :/

beerlady

http://studyabroad.sc.edu/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=194&Itemid=1211 ... chef the conversion chart

Check.....

VodkaReindeer

1 American credit = 2.5 ECTS credits. Source: https://www.insa-strasbourg.fr/en/ects-equivalences/

When I was in school, 1 credit hour was supposed to be one hour in class, 3 hours of studying per week. A serious class was 3 cr, or 12hr/wk

By definition at least. Most kids didn't spend 9hrs studying for a 3hr class though. Definition of full time is 12cr, 15-16 is normal.

tatertowninhabitant

My Canadian school had an average of 2.5 credits per semester but that even varied within the same city

ImAHumanSpeederIBumpIntoTrees

Fellow Canadian here :) I think 5 credits is a full semester here in ON. My brain cannot comprehend some of these other countrys systems 0.o

sighnomore

fellow canadian here. at my university 15 credits per semester is considered a full course load so like you said, it definitely varies.

omgwhatamidoing

normal workload at most schools for a full time student is about 32 hours a year so 16~ a semester. 21 would be about two classes extra.

mylifeforhire

I'm from Australia and just completed a 50 credit semester so I'm curious about the credit system in the US too!

groversleeves

The average class is usually considered 3 credits, I had a few 5 credit classes which had 4.5hrs of lecture and a 6hr clinical weekly.

4.5 hours of lectures weekly? for one subject?! that's insane.

It was critical care nursing, there is a good bit to cover.

evergreen22

How do you have a 50 credit semester? I just graduated from UWA (engineering) and one semester is 24 credits (i.e. 6 credits per unit).

each unit is worth 12.5 credit points at Swinburne in Melbourne with a minimum of 24 units over 3 years (300 credits total)

Geckolegs

*unimelb

Our years are 100 each.. Then you need 300 to get a 3 year degree. An average class is 12.5, you do 4 per semester.

That's the same as me (I'm at Swinburne myself)

The average class is 3 credits and science and math are 4 a piece. My first semester will be 19 credits. My school has a 20.5 credit limit:(

SpicyCanadian

The max I can take at my university is 15/semester. unless you're in Engineering, then you can take 18.

ajsber

In Croatia it´s 30 per semester, but with different programs, you can get up to 45 (approx 10 classes), not optional.

My uni doesn't even allow more than 25 credits per semester.

ickaickaickaptchanggggg

my school (in the u.s.) just does one credit per class. so a full course load is 4-5 "credits" or classes. there are also some classes = 1/2

battlestargingerpubes

30 creds/semester in Spain too.

I did a couple of 18 credit semesters. There is really no sleep if you want to do well at that point.

Seems kinda backwards. There are plenty of studies indicating the importance of adequate sleep for academic performance.

Worked out for me, I got 4 -6 hrs a day. I was also working 40 hrs a week 3rd shift. There was nothing apart from school and work that year.

I can see that. I'm the kind of person that needs 8hrs minimum or I'm a zombie. I wonder why we all differ in that way?

Dunno. I've been a six hour a day guy as long as I can remember.

how many credits per course? This is crazy to me, 1 full year course= 1 credits one semester long course=0.5 credits.

quite a few american colleges have 3-5 credits being a one semester long course. with more credit going to more advanced classes

See to me that is weird. The only courses given more than 1 credit were thesis courses. No matter the level. I graduated with 21 credits.

which is similar to mine, but mine was 1 per class per semester and I graduated with 38

2 @ 4 credits, 3 @ 3 credits and 1 @ 1 credit. The 1 credit course was the most work, it was an independent study of neutron star dynamics.

Comments (811)