<prompt> Human: So, after trying basically everything else I can think of to get where I want to be personally and professionally, I realized that the only feasible option is to go back to school. My chances of getting what I want out of life otherwise are slim at best, if for no other reason than earning potential. Moving to a major city on a wing and a prayer otherwise is asking for trouble, and I kinda hate where I live right now.Ive actually known this for a while, but Ive been putting it off because I really didnt know what I want to study economicsfinance, and the more Im learning about actuarial work, the better it sounds and Im really not a big fan of school in general. But, Im even less of a fan of being nearly-broke, bored, and lonely, which is the future Im currently looking at if nothing changes. So the choice seems pretty obvious for me.I know that working and going to school simultaneously is the most economically sound option, but I really dont want to do that unless ABSOLUTELY necessary. I also want to spend as little time at a community college as possible. I know larger schools are more expensive, but there are more social, professional, and other general life opportunities to be gained that I feel its worth paying for.Sparknotes:High school diploma. Have one course on my college transcript that I got got a D in way back in 2008.Making 11 an hour in social work. Thought Id love it, turns out most of our clients dont really want to be there and my boss is more concerned with being right than doing right. I never planned on doing this forever to begin with, but these factors are accelerating my desire to gtfo and find better employment.Single, no kids. No relationships keeping me tied to the area.Ive got a car payment. 323mo. Insurance, 60 and change for insurance. Yes, I know this is ridiculous, but I was commuting to work for the better part of a year and my previous car died about a week after I started my job, and I needed something reliable. Have 16k left.Gas is about 40 a month.Living rent free with family. Pay for most of my own food, though. Roughly 250 a month.Netflix, spotify, hulu subs. Willing to cut Hulu after Arrow and Flash are over for the season. Spotify too. Roughly 40 a month for all of these.Phone bill. Between 40 and 55 a month depending on usage.Around half my post-tax income is going out, leaving me with 700 a month to save after bare essentials.Im seriously considering knocking out a remedial math class or two at the local community college while still working, im fucking awful at math. Ironic, I know. Then, once Im confident I can handle the course requirements, using a combination of loans, grants, and scholarships, if possible to pay off the car, quit my job, and get something part time to cover the rest of my expenses that year.After that, I would transfer to a state school for my sophomore year and finish my degree. Im aware that this could get expensive really quick, but like I said, I think its worth the costs. Plus, as far as I understand, financeeconactuary majors have some relatively high earning potential right out if school if you didnt fuck around, so im not overly concerned with paying off the debt afterward. Please correct me if Im wrong, though.Maybe this plan comes across as a bit desperate, it kind of is, but I really really really dont want to spend any more of my life in a desert backwater where the average population age is 60, the primary social outlets are meth, casinos, and crappy dive bars, that I cant go to anyway because half my clientele can be found at one any given day of the week. I know its a lot to ask, but would someone mind helping me hash this out so I can come up with an actually good plan that helps me get out of here with my sanity intact?  <response>: You should make sure any community college classes you take will transfer to the universities you are considering. Even if they are in the same state, same city, sometimes they dont transfer. If they dont, it will be a major waste of your time and money. If youre really serious about school, save as much money as you can for it - there are a lot of unexpected expenses. You said you dont want to work while going to school. Different factors can make this a great or terrible option for you. If youre going to go full time, a job on the side may affect your performance and grades which in turn makes it more difficult to get internships, scholarships, get into grad school down the road, sometimes even get a job. If you take out government loans to cover your finances, you will have to start paying them back plus interest 6 months after you graduate. It might not seem like a big deal at the time oh Ill have enough money at my new job then, but you have to consider the possibility that life will happen. You may not get a job right out of college. You may find a job, but may be unable to afford the move to take it out of your area youd have to start paying rent, for example. You may get a job but the entry level salary is poor, despite what you read on the internet. The economy and demands for certain jobs may be different by the time you finish school. Speaking from experience :Sorry I dont have more advice for you! I think if youre terribly unhappy in your situation you should definitely look into changing it, but you do have to consider the worth vs cost of every decision. I hope you consider these things carefully and I wish you the best of luck! 