Good advise guys! Gotta keep the chin up. Think of it as you have a good oppurtunity to start fresh. You don't have to put so much pressure on yourself. Too much pressure will get you depressed and frustrated. Too little and you won't push yourself to do anything. Just have to sit down and start making a plan.
As HemiDog said also, I too was in a, "What do I do situation" before when I was 20. I too was doing engineering (mechanical), dropped out in the middle of the 1st year. Also at the time the girlfriend of 2.5 years I found out was cheating on me, I was stuck working in a restaurant that my parents managed and thought that I would still be there when I'm 65 years old. I said to myself, "what kind of life is this???"
That's when I made a plan. Like HemiDog, I asked myself what interests me. CARS! I always loved cars so I said why not make my hobby into a career. I went to automechanic school, graduated top of my class. Got started as a lube guy at a Texaco, moved to an Acura Dealership doing oil changes and prepping cars, then in about 9 months I became one of the service department foremen.
I got "bored" as I didn't want to get into management. (plus my back and knees were starting to hurt!) I used to bring in church member's cars on shop night to fix them for just the cost of the parts, the I decided I wanted to not only help people with thier cars, but help them directly.
So at age 25 (your age) I went back to school to get my bachelor's degree in Nursing (Tried Pre-Med but it was really tough to get into school). Graduated, got a good job at Massachusetts General Hospital and now I'm in Home Care.
I'm just telling you this to show you it's not to late but it needs to take some planning. You may have to make some sacraficing, though. I sold a convertible '68 Pontiac Lemans to help pay for school. (State school, it was cheaper!) I still regret it but at the time I said to myself, One day I can get a car all fixed up or won't need as much work. Ta Da! Got my Challenger now! I said I had to get rid of some of my "toys" to pay for school and to help me focus on school. (Focusing helped a lot, as I graduated as President of my Nursing Class. And yes I'm a guy! All 225lbs of me!)
Can you sell your ex's Ram?
Also, at age 25, I met my now wife, of 11 years, at the church I go to. I thank God always for all my blessings!
I have a friend that is only child that has a very controlling and bitter mom also. Success doesn't have to do with it. You MAY not have to do with it. It may have to do with how your mom was treated as a child. My friend is a succesful, good looking Physical Therapist, drives a $33k Acura TL, but his mom still treats him, and his dad, poorly. It had to do with the way her mother treated her. It doesn't justify how she treats others, but sometimes if you understand why people are the way they are it makes it a tad bit easier.
I explained to my frien that his mom wasn't just his mom. She is her own humanbeing that hurts and bleed like him. As a child, often we are always looking for the parent to be the nurturing one, but sometimes the parent needs to be nurtured and understood too. That's when the child becomes the adult of the family.
Separating from your mom distance wise doesn't always cure the problem. Do you live at home now or will you have to/can you go home for a bit to get back up on your feet? Do you have friends/relatives outside of North Dakota that you can stay with for school? Any scholarships?
Best wishes, hope all goes well!
