Canadian Colleges are similar to American Technical Schools. It is significantly different from a University

This is when you realize that you are going to school for something you don't want to do, or that you began the wrong path.

I'm in college to be a chemical technician. I stuck with it for the first few weeks of this year (year 2) and have hit the point where I have no will to go to class anymore. I can do the work, but not easily and have almost no idea what half the equations are for. It's beyond just getting a tutor or something, it's a matter of wanting nothing to do with the same repetitive, patient (I hate titrations and waiting for that damn autoclave) work each day. So I want to escape.

When I first applied, I flipped a coin as to whether I would take Electrical Technician - Automation, or Chemical Engineering Technician as I couldn't really decide (found both interesting). It's just too late to switch programs (deadline was a week and a half ago) so that's out, and there is no winter enrollment. I kinda just want to try to get picked-up for an apprenticeship to be an electrician, but don't know what the chances are without any real background (nothing formal outside highschool physics, but real a lot about currents, magnetism, PLC, etc).

So really, I'm here:

-Finish Chemistry and end-up with a diploma and a wasted 7 months for something I have no real interest left in

-Try for an apprenticeship, which I may not even get

-Drop out and re-enroll next year in Electrical (no idea how I'd support myself until then, hard to get a job here)

I'm not really looking for an answer, just some input. I'm not swimming in money, so coming back AFTER finishing Chem isn't really an option. Has anyone here hit this kind of situation?

EDIT: I'm in Canada, btw. College is a bit different here than in the US (or so I've been told)

1. A bachelor's degree will help you in general in your job search. A LOT of people end up working in a different field than their degree. The degree just signifies that you can commit to something and follow through

2. Why drop out? Most likely there are classes you are taking now that could apply to Electrical technician. Talk to your advisor about how you can switch (maybe this is something different, but I've never heard of a school requiring you to drop out to switch majors).

What the devil is a bachelor's degree? You don't even get degree's in college's around here, you get diploma's. I think you may be thinking of US colleges. I wont / can't get a bachelor's degree in science, or arts, or english here. That's just not a thing that happens.

Drop out, save money on next semesters tuition (about 4K). Already past the deadline to switch, as noted. Would have to wait till next september to enroll. I REALLY think you're thinking of American schools now. There are no majors or minors here. It's a straight-up program. Stuff like Culinary, Biotechnician, management, that sort of stuff.

not the school I'm at, but this is an example: http://www.cambriancollege.ca/Pages/Home.aspx

Bachelor's is the basic collegiate diploma. There's Associate's, which is only two years, but if you go to a fully accredited university, you go for four years and get a Bachelor's. It means you have a generalist education with a limited focus. It's followed up by a Master's, which allows you to work in most academic disciplines, and a Doctorate, which means that you are an expert in your field.

Personally, I'd say stick with it. I've dropped out before and always regretted it. Put in your time, force yourself to attend lecture, and next time the chance comes to transfer to a different program, do so. That said, I have no idea how Canadian college works. Are you on a semester system? Can you take classes that aren't a part of your program?

I've just switched myself. I was in Anthropology, but I discovered that I kind of like having a bit of money and a steady job (as well as just being disillusioned with Anthro on the whole), so I switched to PoliSci with a focus on international relations. I'll be starting that next semester, as well as getting the ball rolling with the state department. I'd say work in what really gets you going. I love politics, so that's where I think my passion will help me out. See if you can't find a program that does the same for you.

To me, what you are describing is a technical school, not what I would call a university. Reading the wikipedia article on your school along with the one titled "List of colleges in Ontario" which mentions "Institutes of Technology and Advanced Learning" suggests that, to me, indeed you are in what would be the US equivalent of a technical/trade school and that colleges in the Institutes of Technology and Advanced Learning section would be the equivalent of the Jr Colleges in the US.

Edit: just looked at your profile, you're 19 years old. Totally natural to not know what the heck you want to do in life. Drop out if you want, but my suggestion is take a few more general ed classes and learn some stuff on your own time as well to find out what you want to do.

When I was 19 I was just going to Jr College (to find out what I wanted to do while saving money by not going to a university) with no real aim. Still dazed and confused what I was supposed to do with my life post-high school.

That's immediately what I thought of as well. Sounds like he's attending the equivalent of a tech/vocational school here in the U.S.

Most of those are designed to put you in a specific career path or job. So I'm not exactly sure what advice to give about that. Perhaps speak to some sort of program adviser at the school about your concerns?

I've never heard of the first bit you wrote at all, so I don't think it applies here (I really have no idea)

IDK, thinking I'll stick around while I look for either someone to learn under, or a company that'll hire me. Whichever happens first. :/

Here, technical schools are referred to as colleges and they are a step below university. The former is typically more hands on and specialized, whereas the latter is more broad and theoretical.

I'd recommend adding that distinction to the OP so American's (who make up a good amount of this board) are less confused. I also suggest reading my edits in case you missed them.

noted and done.