I think I'm going to college.....wait a minute...should I?

[Fishie]

For a while, I've been thinking about my future. College is a big part of it and well even though everybody says that its really important and it can really make a difference in your life and so on, but I mean is it really that important?

I mean I know that college is something that I need to go through in my life. Especially knowing that my parents didn't go to college or graduate high school for that matter makes me want to go to college and be the first and set an example for my sister gives me the drive to go, but at the same time I feel like I'm taking on so much pressure.

I have a year and a half left of high school before graduating and as each day passes by I realize that in a way I'm afraid of leaving my life behind. I'm afraid of leaving my family and my friends behind for that matter. There is so much that makes me not want to go, but at the same time I just want to go far away from them and just grow as an individual and become independent. Overall I guess you could say that I'm confused at this point about school and my future. Has anybody ever felt this way before?

[Novacrash]

Lessee...

Well, my mom didnt go too college, and were having some bad times..which isnt really a shocker, shes had too take 2 jobs (scrub-tech and a Realtor) realty is having a mjaor dry season like it does every year at this time, and were barely cragging along, shes had too ask her relatives for money (alot), if it wasnt for them we wouldnt have any food..


So...If thats how you would like too live life ok, but going too college is a really, REALLY good idea.

You get a nice job which leads too nice stuff which if you have a mate can lead too a nice happy family, without always having too wonder if you can eat tonight.

[CLOUD]

I'll have to go for Nova.It's my first year in college & even though we have kept them shut down for the past 2 months.During last summer,i had to decide what i'd do with my life after graduating from high school.I got a high grade in the exams,so i chose the path of an Electrician Mechanic of Computers.


At first i thought i couldn't live on my own,leave everything behind & start over.The fact is that that's only an illusion.Living a new life during college is great.It's a 100% sure way that,throughout the experiences you'll live,you'll mature,sooner or later anyways.Din't worry about the friends you'll leave behind,since you'll make new ones fast.I was lucky enough to be in the same city with most of my friends,but i made also new friendships & acquaintances,which is strange because i'm bad at making friends with.


To summ up,college is a great experience,the new life might be hard but it's also fun & some sort of satisfaction.Furthermore,it's "mandatory" if you want to do something with your life in the future.I'm not saying that this way you'll snap your fingers & get a job & tons of money,but it's far better than nothing.The minimum request at the "market" is a degree,a diploma with a good grade.


Nothing can ensure a wealthy life in the future,but throughout college,you'll make odds better for you.I love the collegeboy's life & i think you would do too.Just consider carefully what you want to do in the future.

[Angantyr]

I was going to make the exact same topic just later on as it gets closer. See this is my 3rd year since I left school and I could not do anything because I had a lot of payments, yet again right now I am $4000ish in debt and without a job. Also I must note I have some of the worst luck ever so I wonder if going would help me get out of it or just make it worse.

Also I am not sure what to study, I had average marks when I went to school but I feel like that was mostly due to the fact I was not interested and only at school for a pass time, if I did go I would have to be dead serious about it. I have been talking to Gorath about what he is doing to get a fair idea.

[Chez Daja]

Go to college.

Why? The chances of you making a comfortable lifestyle without college involvement somehwere along the lines is more likely to fail than be a sucess.

Now, I left school at age seven and taught myself until I was fifteen.

Do I regret not going to school? Sometimes; I wish I'd taken GSCE's and actually done something with myself.

I have an "above average" IQ, but that doesn't mean shit without a college education.

Do I plan on going o college? Yeah; I've had offers and whatnot. I really want to do art, graphic design, architechture and mechanics.

I'd study each of them over an amount of time, but those subjects are the ones I feel I should really be learning about. I know a lot about mechanics already, and I'll fix your car if you need me to, but I'd like to get that slip of paper saying "you rock because you've grauated this course, sexfully yours, Carshalton College."

Besides, I want to travel the world someday -- it's a dream that I hold very close to my heart, and it consumes a lot of my thinking time.

I think you should look into college, but make sure you don't have a lot on at the time. Don't stress yourself. You're still young, waiting half a year or so wouldn't be the end of the world.

Good luck with whatever you decide.

[Malahk Musashi]

You have to be incredibly lucky to make it in life without a college education. Yeah, you can live on a meager job for the rest of your life, but if you wanna live comfortably, get a degree. It doesn't really matter what school you go to, as it's been shown that standard schools produced more Fortune 500 CEO's than all of the Ivy League schools combined.

[Casanova[OCAU]]

Go to college. And not just 'any' college. Work your ass off and struggle and make it to the best one you can. It's the harder choice but it will pay off.

I am now in my final year for my B.Comm and have done an internship with Apple Computers Asia in their marketing division. What I have found is that my college provides me with the basic foundation for my learning, just like how primary school gives you the basic foundation for your SATs or HSCs or whatever.

It's a much harder uphill struggle if you want to get somewhere/are ambitious in life if you dont, because, even with my education, I have had many sleepless nights working, while I was doing my project and I can't imagine how anyone who hasn't attended college can do an assignment of that scope in that deadline.

A good college teaches you how a mode of thinking. When you're majoring in finance, it teaches you how to think like an investment banker. Not how to punch numbers into a calculator. An engineer is taught how to be analytical and meticulous in finding solutions, not how to do maths or write software.

Moving out and leaving that comfort zone behind isn't a bad thing. It matures you and you learn a lot more about life. So Toughen the **** up and stop suckling on your mom's teet! (I felt like saying that word for some reason)

Edit:- your profile says you're 'interested in new experiences'. You'll have a ball!

[Govinda]

I'm in the same position as you, Fishie. As things stand I'm going to University in September to study a Masters in French and International Relations.

Being where I am, I know a lot of people who're feeling like you are; like they're going to be leaving their lives behind in a very short time.

But herein lies the rub: you will not be leaving your life behind. Yes, you won't be living with your parents or seeing your friends as much anymore, but they're not going to die when you leave. By that, I mean that you will see them again on a regular basis, and the Internet and mobile phones make that communication even easier.

You won't be leaving your life at all; you'll just be starting a new chapter of it, one controlled by you alone. You'll meet a whole host of new people, enjoy new experiences.

I felt the same thing as you, for a very short while. My mum doesn't live with us just now, and I do miss her terribly; but I know that she's no more than a phone call away if I need her, and she knows the same about me. You'll find out the exact same thing in a year and a half's time.

Plus, there's the economic side, but I get the feeling that family and friends and the here-and-now matter more to people our age. I could be wrong, but there you go.

So go. Life's an adventure if you make it one, and University is a good place to start. Most of all; good luck!

[Tifa]

Life changes and you just have to take that in stride. Those who can't adapt to change are the ones who fall behind and can't keep up, no matter how smart they are. Before, you could pass with less educational merit and just rise through the ranks that way, but that was decades ago -- now even basic jobs require proof of some type of academic accomplishment.

Also what was said about the name of the college / university -- it is more important now, actually. I'm pretty sure they screen just by college name alone on some parts ... But what's more important are your college GPA and extracurriculars (the ones you have a major role in anyway). Getting a 3.0 at a decent school is okay, but getting a 4.0 at something a bit lower is a lot better. Lol, at least that's what my dad said to me-- he always talks about one of the people he hired who is the most hard working, and got a 4.0 at University of Deleware, I think. (Had to go there because of money issues.) That being said, community college isn't really a good idea ... lol. It's just unfortunate that college tuition is on the rise.

Anyway, the majority of us have no idea what the hell we're doing ... either that or, we're probably going to change our minds within the near future. So it's not really unnatural to be worried. Honestly, I thought college was a great change-- despite all the really ****ing weird people I've met (just my luck really lol) -- and I still keep in touch with my good friends, and hang out when I head back home :]

Uhh. Just try not to get into too much debt. 8D

I'm rambling and should be studying Econ. Holy shit. Lol.

[~FANTASY-ENDER~]

Hey Knox go to college, what do you got to lose, and besides a lot of jobs these days aquire more than just a high school diploma. For me once I'm done with my year over seas, I'm going to try to get in to a college for crimmal justice. But before you worry about college, first get your high school diploma and then worry about what college you want to attend. And once you get that chance, then just keep fighting for your dream and don't anyone say that you cant do it or can't make it.

[Fishie]

Thanks for the opinions guys. Its good to know that I don't feel alone about this in a way. I know that college is really and its a big step in my life. It will give me a chance to grow as a person and really change the way I see things. I think the reason why I question of going to just having fear and taking a risk towards that. I know that it can help me financially. I know that I can get nowhere if I don't go to college and I've thought of either attending UCLA, Chico State, Cal State San Bernandino, or Pepperdine. These are some college's I've thought of recently.

All I just know is that I have to go and mature.

[.EcKS.]

its been almost 3 years since ive graduated high school..i did a semester of college. then stopped going. it just wasn my time for it, College is definately a great idea, you learn tons of new things,meet tons of new people. It's an overall positive experience. i have finally found a school that i'll be attending in the fall. it's only a year, and ill have a nice portfolio to get into a better school afterwards, and make a decent career.

I'm not saying YA go straight into college, i did a bit of travelling, well for two months. and it's amazing, i'd also suggest takeing a break then going back to school. you can find alot about yourself just by seeing new places on your own or with friends. Make sure your doing what feels right to you, if that means maybe not going to college right away, then dont. You have your whole life ahead of you. Choose what in your eyes is "best
" for you.

[kingdom_hearts]

yes you should go because if you dont you cant really make alot of money and it kinda sucks so ide go if i was you...