Hello, fellow Druids. :) I just made a little video explaining my involvement with gaming throughout my life, and I also teach the basic rules of a druid-themed board game I designed, and announce that I'm going to be making a digital version from the ground up.
Hopefully it's interesting to some of you. Have a nice day, everyone. :)
The book is "C++ from the Ground Up", 3rd Edition, by Herbert Schildt. I have pretty limited programming experience.
Learned some Java in high school, but that was extremely basic looking back - variables, basic control flow, functions, etc. During my 2 years of college I had one course on C++, and we did some object-oriented stuff like polymorphism and inheritance, but I honestly wasn't the best at it (got a B iirc), and it has literally been a decade since then.
Since then I've learned a little more about computers on my own. I daily drive Debian 13, learned the absolute basics of Python, Git, and some Bash, though I have yet to actually write a script.
I intend to finally finish my associates in computer information systems next year, and my classes involving computers are Computer Organization this semester, plus Data Structures and Algorithms in C++ and a SQL course next semester.
I know the book I have is pretty outdated, but I'm going to read it cover to cover, take my classes, and then read some other books on Bash scripting and system administration.
I'm just wondering, once I finish my C++ book, how to get "caught up" to more modern C++. I know there's a new version coming out this year. Just wondering how, once I learn the older stuff, I can see about incorporating the newer features.
I might know more about computers than the average user, but please keep in mind I'm still quite inexperienced. With that in mind, thanks in advance for helpful replies.
EDIT: Welp, that was fast, lol. The book's going in the box in my apartment where I barely touch stuff, and I'll start looking at the website. Thanks, everyone.
The machine's an old Dell Optiplex 9020 MT with a 256 GB SSD, and a 2TB HDD I intend to use for backups and other storage. Also, I currently have USB DVD and 3.5" floppy drives connected, more on that in a second.
I'm running Debian 13 stable, which is installed on the SSD. My DE is KDE Plasma Wayland, though I decided to start using X11 in the hopes it'll help, though I don't really understand the differences except that X is much older.
Might look at lighter DEs in the future, too. Just an aside.
Besides that, there's two small issues I'm encountering:
But, I'd rather just have my normal user already own the drive, and have it accessible when I sign in. I know there's commands like chown, chmod, mount...but idk exactly how to do what I want.
Thanks for reading this post. :)
An old college friend with a bachelor's in computer science stopped by my apartment yesterday after receiving a tower PC from his old professor. My friend said he didn't need his old Dell Optiplex 9020 Mini-Tower anymore, and gave it to me, no strings attached.
I have him a cheap retro handheld in exchange just cause I felt like he deserved something for giving me a free tower PC. Up until now I've never owned my own tower, and have been doing all my computing on laptops, including a ThinkPad T480 I purchased last year.
I plugged the Optiplex in, installed Debian 13 on it, and it seems to work fine, apart from Discord freezing in i3 for some reason and a particular Steam game not launching, so I've been sticking to KDE Plasma for now. But I was thinking of upgrading this "new" computer once I get a little money.
I'm not super experienced with hardware...but I figured this Optiplex could get me to learn the basics. I looked online and saw that apparently the max amount of RAM is 32 GB, which is fine for now, though I'd prefer 64 GB one day, if it can be done.
The HDD is 2 TB, which is 8 times the storage of my other laptops...but it's a hard drive, and I'd prefer an SSD because I don't want the drive to just unexpectedly fail on me. I figured even a relatively small SSD would be better to (re?)install the operating system itself on, and I could still use the HDD for extra storage anyway.
The processor, I don't know anything about, but I'm wondering if I can even upgrade it...even on my "upgradeable" ThinkPad, the processor is apparently soldered to the motherboard. But I figure it should be upgradeable...
Apart from the storage, RAM, and processor, what else would you recommend a middling computer science/cybersecurity student upgrade? I'll look on this sub for ideas, but any answers or advice is appreciated. Thank you.
I've lived off of SSDI for the past 3 years, unemployed. My work history is awful, honestly. I've been fired, a lot. I've quit 2 jobs, too.
​
I've worked in retail, as a cashier and stockboy...didn't really enjoy it, felt meaningless to me. Food service is just a no-go. It's stressful, and whenever I get into a food rush I just freeze. I did a year of casino dealing in 2019. I was just getting decent at it when I had to quit due to disability. Tried getting back into it recently but had my job offer rescinded at the last second for a dumb reason, but I digress.
​
I found a way to attend college full-time for basically nothing using federal and state grants. I have 2 years of college under my belt from 10 years ago, and I just want to start with an associates degree in computer information systems, and possibly earn a bachelor's from there, or take a cybersecurity course my caseworker recommended to me.
​
But practically everyone in my life - my mom, stepfather, my cousin, my friend in the tech industry, and my partner - say that a degree is useless if I don't know how to work effectively.
​
I'm just wondering, what part-time jobs would you recommend for someone who can't drive, can't see out of one eye, and has a shoddy work history? I tried applying for a local bank teller position a couple years ago. Was their second choice after the interview.
​
Keep in mind, I'm living off of about $9 an hour from SSDI and EBT. If I make more than $10.50/hr full-time, I risk losing my benefits after a year. I could make more hourly part-time, I suppose...
​
I'd like to say I'm alright with computers, math, etc. I want a job where I can use my mind instead of my body, given the latter is...well, not the best.
​
Thank you in advance for any useful advice or support.
I'm 29M, been living on SSDI and food stamps for 3 years now. No job, just coasting, basically.
​
I have about 2 years of an old Computer Science degree I never finished complete. Idk how many credits will transfer to the community college I plan to attend, but probably 30-45.
​
I just want an associates in computer information systems for now, and from there I can see about transferring to another online college and finally earning my bachelor's.
​
I filled out the FAFSA, got maximum Pell Grants, and if my State Grants go through, because of my financial situation, I'd basically be getting paid a refund check of $3k+/semester to attend college full-time. I could pay for my books, buy a new computer setup, save the rest, or give a little to my partner, even.
​
There's more to it than this, of course, but I know with AI and the current job market...I'm just wondering if an associates degree from community college (and some small projects) would be enough to even get me an internship at a tech company, I don't even know about a job yet.
​
Lots of people, including my Mom, stepfather, and an acquaintance who's been in the computer industry for over 20 years, say I'm wasting my time and to get a "real" job.
​
Idk. What should I do?
I'm 29M, been living on SSDI and food stamps for 3 years now. No job, just coasting, basically.
​
I have about 2 years of an old Computer Science degree I never finished complete. Idk how many credits will transfer to the community college I plan to attend, but probably 30-45.
​
I just want an associates in computer information systems for now, and from there I can see about transferring to another online college and finally earning my bachelor's.
​
I filled out the FAFSA, got maximum Pell Grants, and if my State Grants go through, because of my financial situation, I'd basically be getting paid a refund check of $3k+/semester to attend college full-time. I could pay for my books, buy a new computer setup, save the rest, or give a little to my partner, even.
​
There's more to it than this, of course, but I know with AI and the current job market...I'm just wondering if an associates degree from community college (and some small projects) would be enough to even get me an internship at a tech company, I don't even know about a job yet.
​
Lots of people, including my Mom, stepfather, and an acquaintance who's been in the computer industry for over 20 years, say I'm wasting my time and to get a "real" job.
​
Idk. What should I do?
I'm 29M, been living on SSDI and food stamps for 3 years now. No job, just coasting, basically.
I have about 2 years of an old Computer Science degree I never finished complete. Idk how many credits will transfer to the community college I plan to attend, but probably 30-45.
I just want an associates in computer information systems for now, and from there I can see about transferring to another online college and finally earning my bachelor's.
I filled out the FAFSA, got maximum Pell Grants, and if my State Grants go through, because of my financial situation, I'd basically be getting paid a refund check of $3k+/semester to attend college full-time. I could pay for my books, buy a new computer setup, save the rest, or give a little to my partner, even.
There's more to it than this, of course, but I know with AI and the current job market...I'm just wondering if an associates degree from community college (and some small projects) would be enough to even get me an internship at a tech company, I don't even know about a job yet.
Lots of people, including my Mom, stepfather, and an acquaintance who's been in the computer industry for over 20 years, say I'm wasting my time and to get a "real" job.
Idk. What should I do?
I'm 29M, and have been unemployed for about 3 years straight now. I've just been living off of SSDI in my own apartment, and my mother and I are currently in an argument about me finding work.
I have about 2 years of a computer science degree completed from about 10 years ago, though I had to drop out numerous times due to mental health reasons (I'm diagnosed bipolar I, anxiety, depression). I can't see a board easily anymore due to glaucoma causing loss of vision in my right eye, and can't really drive anyway - I somehow have a clean legal record, but have caused a number of accidents/crashes, and eventually decided to hang up the towel in 2020, but keep my license, just in case.
In 2024, I decided I wanted to go back to college online and finish my bachelor's. But the university I attended was for-profit and predatory, to say the least. I did well academically, but after only 8 months of online college I racked up $15k in debt via loans.
A friend in the computer industry for 20+ years convinced me my degree wouldn't be worth it, and to drop out again. I did, and we (mostly he and his girlfriend, if I'm being honest) spent the next year filing paperwork for Total and Permanent Disability loan discharge, which was approved in November last year.
As a result, I can't take out federal student loans for the next 2.5 years without reinstating my old loans. I found another online university recently, Western Governors University, that's non-profit and competency-based, which means they charge a flat rate per 6-month term, and I basically dictate the pace I go at.
I filled out another FAFSA, received max Pell Grants ($7.4k), and am still about $600 short per term. I tried asking my mother if she could spare $100 a month for 2 years so I could finish my degree, but she just got mad and told me to find a "real" job, contradicting her previous words from childhood that I should attend college because I'm "smart".
I did well in high school, but that means nothing.
In terms of computer knowledge, it's pretty limited by most standards. I know some basic Python and Bash syntax, run Debian 12 on a ThinkPad T480 with 256 GB storage, 24 GB RAM (16 of which I installed myself), plus I know a little bit of Git from my friend helping me build a basic website with Netlify to try and sell my little board game ideas I had.
The game was apparently alright, but the prototyping publisher went under after we only had 10 shoddy copies made, so I let the domain expire. But, in addition to Python/Bash/Git, I have books on C, Linux/Unix, math for programming, even programming for the original Game Boy in its assembly.
I want to learn how to develop my board game idea into an indie game, then sell the ROM on \[itch.io\](http://itch.io), plus perhaps manufacture cartridges one day, but that's still a ways away, obviously, and more like starting a business again anyway than finding a job.
I always wanted to use a CS degree to get into game/software development, but after self-studying a bit in the past year or so, I figured I could also go into system administration or embedded systems.
But, again, I can't afford college without help. I called my old caseworker at Blind and Visual Services, who told me to find more info about WGU before he'd consider helping. I'm going to apply for scholarships, but those aren't guaranteed.
Meanwhile, I'm just now finding out about running small AI models locally using Ollama. Got simple chat and Python code generation working, but I obviously still want to know the material I want to know, by myself.
With the job market in the toilet, though, am I just sounding crazy, wanting to finish my degree?
Luckily I have a partner now who loves me for who I am, but I have no way of supporting them or being able to move in with them, after losing a job opportunity for a local casino that would have paid $25/hr. I can tell finances and not moving in with them are putting a strain on our relationship, and I don't want to lose them.
I talk about The American Dream with my therapist and how it's increasingly out of reach for my generation. But yeah...any advice you guys can give would be greatly appreciated. Thanks.
I'm 29M, and have been unemployed for about 3 years straight now. I've just been living off of SSDI in my own apartment, and my mother and I are currently in an argument about me finding work.
​
I have about 2 years of a computer science degree completed from about 10 years ago, though I had to drop out numerous times due to mental health reasons (I'm diagnosed bipolar I, anxiety, depression). I can't see a board easily anymore due to glaucoma causing loss of vision in my right eye, and can't really drive anyway - I somehow have a clean legal record, but have caused a number of accidents/crashes, and eventually decided to hang up the towel in 2020, but keep my license, just in case.
​
In 2024, I decided I wanted to go back to college online and finish my bachelor's. But the university I attended was for-profit and predatory, to say the least. I did well academically, but after only 8 months of online college I racked up $15k in debt via loans.
​
A friend in the computer industry for 20+ years convinced me my degree wouldn't be worth it, and to drop out again. I did, and we (mostly he and his girlfriend, if I'm being honest) spent the next year filing paperwork for Total and Permanent Disability loan discharge, which was approved in November last year.
​
As a result, I can't take out federal student loans for the next 2.5 years without reinstating my old loans. I found another online university recently, Western Governors University, that's non-profit and competency-based, which means they charge a flat rate per 6-month term, and I basically dictate the pace I go at.
​
I filled out another FAFSA, received max Pell Grants ($7.4k), and am still about $600 short per term. I tried asking my mother if she could spare $100 a month for 2 years so I could finish my degree, but she just got mad and told me to find a "real" job, contradicting her previous words from childhood that I should attend college because I'm "smart".
​
I did well in high school, but that means nothing.
​
In terms of computer knowledge, it's pretty limited by most standards. I know some basic Python and Bash syntax, run Debian 12 on a ThinkPad T480 with 256 GB storage, 24 GB RAM (16 of which I installed myself), plus I know a little bit of Git from my friend helping me build a basic website with Netlify to try and sell my little board game ideas I had.
​
The game was apparently alright, but the prototyping publisher went under after we only had 10 shoddy copies made, so I let the domain expire. But, in addition to Python/Bash/Git, I have books on C, Linux/Unix, math for programming, even programming for the original Game Boy in its assembly.
​
I want to learn how to develop my board game idea into an indie game, then sell the ROM on \[itch.io\](http://itch.io), plus perhaps manufacture cartridges one day, but that's still a ways away, obviously, and more like starting a business again anyway than finding a job.
​
I always wanted to use a CS degree to get into game/software development, but after self-studying a bit in the past year or so, I figured I could also go into system administration or embedded systems.
​
But, again, I can't afford college without help. I called my old caseworker at Blind and Visual Services, who told me to find more info about WGU before he'd consider helping. I'm going to apply for scholarships, but those aren't guaranteed.
​
Meanwhile, I'm just now finding out about running small AI models locally using Ollama. Got simple chat and Python code generation working, but I obviously still want to know the material I want to know, by myself.
​
With the job market in the toilet, though, am I just sounding crazy, wanting to finish my degree?
​
Luckily I have a partner now who loves me for who I am, but I have no way of supporting them or being able to move in with them, after losing a job opportunity for a local casino that would have paid $25/hr. I can tell finances and not moving in with them are putting a strain on our relationship, and I don't want to lose them.
​
I talk about The American Dream with my therapist and how it's increasingly out of reach for my generation. But yeah...any advice you guys can give would be greatly appreciated. Thanks.
I'm 29M, and have been unemployed for about 3 years straight now. I've just been living off of SSDI in my own apartment, and my mother and I are currently in an argument about me finding work.
I have about 2 years of a computer science degree completed from about 10 years ago, though I had to drop out numerous times due to mental health reasons (I'm diagnosed bipolar I, anxiety, depression). I can't see a board easily anymore due to glaucoma causing loss of vision in my right eye, and can't really drive anyway - I somehow have a clean legal record, but have caused a number of accidents/crashes, and eventually decided to hang up the towel in 2020, but keep my license, just in case.
In 2024, I decided I wanted to go back to college online and finish my bachelor's. But the university I attended was for-profit and predatory, to say the least. I did well academically, but after only 8 months of online college I racked up $15k in debt via loans.
A friend in the computer industry for 20+ years convinced me my degree wouldn't be worth it, and to drop out again. I did, and we (mostly he and his girlfriend, if I'm being honest) spent the next year filing paperwork for Total and Permanent Disability loan discharge, which was approved in November last year.
As a result, I can't take out federal student loans for the next 2.5 years without reinstating my old loans. I found another online university recently, Western Governors University, that's non-profit and competency-based, which means they charge a flat rate per 6-month term, and I basically dictate the pace I go at.
I filled out another FAFSA, received max Pell Grants ($7.4k), and am still about $600 short per term. I tried asking my mother if she could spare $100 a month for 2 years so I could finish my degree, but she just got mad and told me to find a "real" job, contradicting her previous words from childhood that I should attend college because I'm "smart".
I did well in high school, but that means nothing.
In terms of computer knowledge, it's pretty limited by most standards. I know some basic Python and Bash syntax, run Debian 12 on a ThinkPad T480 with 256 GB storage, 24 GB RAM (16 of which I installed myself), plus I know a little bit of Git from my friend helping me build a basic website with Netlify to try and sell my little board game ideas I had.
The game was apparently alright, but the prototyping publisher went under after we only had 10 shoddy copies made, so I let the domain expire. But, in addition to Python/Bash/Git, I have books on C, Linux/Unix, math for programming, even programming for the original Game Boy in its assembly.
I want to learn how to develop my board game idea into an indie game, then sell the ROM on [itch.io](http://itch.io), plus perhaps manufacture cartridges one day, but that's still a ways away, obviously, and more like starting a business again anyway than finding a job.
I always wanted to use a CS degree to get into game/software development, but after self-studying a bit in the past year or so, I figured I could also go into system administration or embedded systems.
But, again, I can't afford college without help. I called my old caseworker at Blind and Visual Services, who told me to find more info about WGU before he'd consider helping. I'm going to apply for scholarships, but those aren't guaranteed.
Meanwhile, I'm just now finding out about running small AI models locally using Ollama. Got simple chat and Python code generation working, but I obviously still want to know the material I want to know, by myself.
With the job market in the toilet, though, am I just sounding crazy, wanting to finish my degree?
Luckily I have a partner now who loves me for who I am, but I have no way of supporting them or being able to move in with them, after losing a job opportunity for a local casino that would have paid $25/hr. I can tell finances and not moving in with them are putting a strain on our relationship, and I don't want to lose them.
I talk about The American Dream with my therapist and how it's increasingly out of reach for my generation. But yeah...any advice you guys can give would be greatly appreciated. Thanks.
29M, living off SSDI for 3 years straight. Advice on finishing a CS degree or finding work?
I'm 29M, and have been unemployed for about 3 years straight now. I've just been living off of SSDI in my own apartment, and my mother and I are currently in an argument about me finding work.
I have about 2 years of a computer science degree completed from about 10 years ago, though I had to drop out numerous times due to mental health reasons (I'm diagnosed bipolar I, anxiety, depression). I can't see a board easily anymore due to glaucoma causing loss of vision in my right eye, and can't really drive anyway - I somehow have a clean legal record, but have caused a number of accidents/crashes, and eventually decided to hang up the towel in 2020, but keep my license, just in case.
In 2024, I decided I wanted to go back to college online and finish my bachelor's. But the university I attended was for-profit and predatory, to say the least. I did well academically, but after only 8 months of online college I racked up $15k in debt via loans. A friend in the computer industry for 20+ years convinced me my degree wouldn't be worth it, and to drop out again. I did, and we (mostly he and his girlfriend, if I'm being honest) spent the next year filing paperwork for Total and Permanent Disability loan discharge, which was approved in November last year.
As a result, I can't take out federal student loans for the next 2.5 years without reinstating my old loans. I found another online university recently, Western Governors University, that's non-profit and competency-based, which means they charge a flat rate per 6-month term, and I basically dictate the pace I go at. I filled out another FAFSA, received max Pell Grants ($7.4k), and am still about $600 short per term. I tried asking my mother if she could spare $100 a month for 2 years so I could finish my degree, but she just got mad and told me to find a "real" job, contradicting her previous words from childhood that I should attend college because I'm "smart".
I did well in high school, but that means nothing.
In terms of computer knowledge, it's pretty limited by most standards. I know some basic Python and Bash syntax, run Debian 12 on a ThinkPad T480 with 256 GB storage, 24 GB RAM (16 of which I installed myself), plus I know a little bit of Git from my friend helping me build a basic website with Netlify to try and sell my little board game ideas I had.
The game was apparently alright, but the prototyping publisher went under after we only had 10 shoddy copies made, so I let the domain expire. But, in addition to Python/Bash/Git, I have books on C, Linux/Unix, math for programming, even programming for the original Game Boy in its assembly.
I want to learn how to develop my board game idea into an indie game, then sell the ROM on [itch.io](http://itch.io), plus perhaps manufacture cartridges one day, but that's still a ways away, obviously, and more like starting a business again anyway than finding a job. I always wanted to use a CS degree to get into game/software development, but after self-studying a bit in the past year or so, I figured I could also go into system administration or embedded systems.
But, again, I can't afford college without help. I called my old caseworker at Blind and Visual Services, who told me to find more info about WGU before he'd consider helping. I'm going to apply for scholarships, but those aren't guaranteed.
Meanwhile, I'm just now finding out about running small AI models locally using Ollama. Got simple chat and Python code generation working, but I obviously still want to know the material I want to know, by myself. With the job market in the toilet, though, am I just sounding crazy, wanting to finish my degree?
Luckily I have a partner now who loves me for who I am, but I have no way of supporting them or being able to move in with them, after losing a job opportunity for a local casino that would have paid $25/hr. I can tell finances and not moving in with them are putting a strain on our relationship, and I don't want to lose them.
I talk about The American Dream with my therapist and how it's increasingly out of reach for my generation. But yeah...any advice you guys can give would be greatly appreciated. Thanks.
I'm 29M, and have been unemployed for about 3 years straight now. I've just been living off of SSDI in my own apartment, and my mother and I are currently in an argument about me finding work.
I have about 2 years of a computer science degree completed from about 10 years ago, though I had to drop out numerous times due to mental health reasons (I'm diagnosed bipolar I, anxiety, depression). I can't see a board easily anymore due to glaucoma causing loss of vision in my right eye, and can't really drive anyway - I somehow have a clean legal record, but have caused a number of accidents/crashes, and eventually decided to hang up the towel in 2020, but keep my license, just in case.
In 2024, I decided I wanted to go back to college online and finish my bachelor's. But the university I attended was for-profit and predatory, to say the least. I did well academically, but after only 8 months of online college I racked up $15k in debt via loans. A friend in the computer industry for 20+ years convinced me my degree wouldn't be worth it, and to drop out again. I did, and we (mostly he and his girlfriend, if I'm being honest) spent the next year filing paperwork for Total and Permanent Disability loan discharge, which was approved in November last year.
As a result, I can't take out federal student loans for the next 2.5 years without reinstating my old loans. I found another online university recently, Western Governors University, that's non-profit and competency-based, which means they charge a flat rate per 6-month term, and I basically dictate the pace I go at. I filled out another FAFSA, received max Pell Grants ($7.4k), and am still about $600 short per term. I tried asking my mother if she could spare $100 a month for 2 years so I could finish my degree, but she just got mad and told me to find a "real" job, contradicting her previous words from childhood that I should attend college because I'm "smart".
I did well in high school, but that means nothing.
In terms of computer knowledge, it's pretty limited by most standards. I know some basic Python and Bash syntax, run Debian 12 on a ThinkPad T480 with 256 GB storage, 24 GB RAM (16 of which I installed myself), plus I know a little bit of Git from my friend helping me build a basic website with Netlify to try and sell my little board game ideas I had.
The game was apparently alright, but the prototyping publisher went under after we only had 10 shoddy copies made, so I let the domain expire. But, in addition to Python/Bash/Git, I have books on C, Linux/Unix, math for programming, even programming for the original Game Boy in its assembly.
I want to learn how to develop my board game idea into an indie game, then sell the ROM on itch.io, plus perhaps manufacture cartridges one day, but that's still a ways away, obviously, and more like starting a business again anyway than finding a job. I always wanted to use a CS degree to get into game/software development, but after self-studying a bit in the past year or so, I figured I could also go into system administration or embedded systems.
But, again, I can't afford college without help. I called my old caseworker at Blind and Visual Services, who told me to find more info about WGU before he'd consider helping. I'm going to apply for scholarships, but those aren't guaranteed.
Meanwhile, I'm just now finding out about running small AI models locally using Ollama. Got simple chat and Python code generation working, but I obviously still want to know the material I want to know, by myself. With the job market in the toilet, though, am I just sounding crazy, wanting to finish my degree?
Luckily I have a partner now who loves me for who I am, but I have no way of supporting them or being able to move in with them, after losing a job opportunity for a local casino that would have paid $25/hr. I can tell finances and not moving in with them are putting a strain on our relationship, and I don't want to lose them.
I talk about The American Dream with my therapist and how it's increasingly out of reach for my generation. But yeah...any advice you guys can give would be greatly appreciated. Thanks.
I recently lost out on a job that paid $25 an hour with no degree. So I decided now might be the time to take another crack at earning my bachelor's degree.
Background. 29M. I graduated high school in 2015. I went to a satellite Penn State University campus for my freshman year of my CS degree, did alright academically despite a nervous breakdown (more on that later). They wanted me to transfer to the main State College campus to finish, but I didn't want to go for financial reasons ("I'll end up in debt!" *rolls eyes*), so I transferred to a local university instead.
I developed bonafide anxiety and depression my sophomore year, and dropped out. Went into the workforce for a bit, a little retail and a year dealing cards at casinos, before more health problems hit and I had to stop.
Due to glaucoma, my right eye quit working. Moved back home in 2019. Because of overuse of medical marijuana during covid, I was diagnosed with bipolar disorder. I went to rehab for a bit, it didn't really work, but that's irrelevant now.
I've been fired a lot. A casino (technically 2 now), an escape room, a restaurant, a grocery store...I quit working at a McDonald's due to high stress in the kitchen. Then I decided that I'm just not cut out for work, and coasted off of SSDI for the last 3 years in an apartment.
In the years since rehab, I've also tried going back to the local university from 2016 and another online university. Took a couple computer engineering courses, and the professor said "you understand the theory, but struggle in practice because you're dealing with such small components". Dropped out again.
Found an online university in 2024, went to it for 8 months doing well academically, but it was predatory, questionable in its academic rigor, and I racked up $15k in debt with a third or so of my "degree" completed. A friend in the computer industry for 20 years convinced me to drop out because the degree wouldn't be worth the paper it's printed on, and helped me get my loans discharged due to disability.
I tried a bit of self-study since. Been using Linux Mint on my IdeaPad 5 and Debian 12 on my ThinkPad T480, though I've been primarily using the ThinkPad in recent months. I didn't even know how to touch-type, so I learned to do so at a rudimentary level. I know a liiiiiiitle Python, but honestly not much, and still struggle with OOP, tbh.
My friend helped me start a website for a now defunct board game business idea I had. I tried developing a board game, but the publisher we used to make prototype copies went under, so I let the domain expire. I know a little about Git, but again, not much. Just what I needed to know to update the site, and I still had to ask my friend for help from time to time.
I tried looking into the Linux Essentials exam, and am glad to see it's on the curriculum for WGU. But I only really know a few basic commands, what piping and redirection are...and that's it. Still use nano for text editing, Vim scares me.
I discovered WGU after getting my latest job offer rescinded. It sounds nice, even if I'm not the greatest at self-study yet. But I have several books to read on my own. Python Crash Course, The Linux Command Line, Math for Programming (No Starch Press), plus the K&R C book, and Unix: a History and Memoir.
The issue is, I filled out a FAFSA for WGU, received max Pell Grants for my financial situation...but it's still not enough. I talked to a WGU rep on my own, and I'd be about $600 short a semester, $1200 a year.
I literally tried asking my mother for help, but she's been fed up with me for a while. My father might be able to help, but I haven't asked him yet. There's scholarships, but idk if I'll even get one...and there's OVR/BBVS, but my case with them was closed recently. I called my old case worker, left a message, and am waiting for a reply.
Trying to find work to help cover it, but no luck so far. And I can't drive, have a bad track record, and need to find a non-stressful job. My local library I frequent said they already have max staff, so that's out.
Just, given everything I've said, any advice would be appreciated. Thank you.
I'm getting a new job dealing at a casino on Tuesday. I know I have to report my income, but how do I do so?
Also, a few other questions:
The Trial Work Period is for 9 months, I believe, but with tips I'm going to make $25ish an hour or in the realm of $52k yearly before taxes. I checked the Substantial Gainful Activity limit for non-blind people, and I'd easily beat that.
So, I work for 9 months, then there's an extra 3 month period before I lose my SSDI benefits, correct? So I could work for a year before I lose my SSDI benefits, correct?
What about food stamps? When can I expect to not qualify for/stop receiving benefits for that?
Finally, I have $15k in student loans that were discharged due to disability, but I'm pretty sure they'll be reinstated once I lose my SSDI. Though, I'm not certain. Can anyone here tell me whether or not I can expect them to reinstate my loans?
Should I talk to a case worker? If so, how can I contact one? What about a lawyer, do I need one?
Thanks for any advice. Just trying to get things in order by myself, but apart from a little searching I have no idea what to do.