I remember two weeks ago when I told my friend's mother my uncertainty about going to college right away. I admitted that I had no clue about what I should do with my life, and that maybe the military was a better option for now. She proceeded to tell me how wrong I was, and that I couldn't be successful without college. That reminded me about the eight grader in this article who said, "College is like your life. If you don't go to college...you can't live a successful life." I feel like so many students are being pressured into attending college, that they don't even consider their alternatives. They don't understand that success can be achieved without a college degree.
Many times I've asked my friends, "What are you going to do after high school?" Almost all of them answered that they will be going to college. Then I'd ask what they want to major in or do long term; almost all of them are uncertain. Maybe they'll chose a major, but then end up switching it for another one because they're unhappy with what they've chosen. Some students will end up dropping or failing classes, and then eventually dropout. Then, they end up finding a job that does not require a college degree, only now they're in debt. If there wasn't so much pressure to attend college in the first place, perhaps all this time and money would not have been wasted.
I feel that if you have a plan of where you want to go, how you'll pay the tuition, and what kind of career you want to make for yourself long term, then go to college. Someone without a plan should at least consider their other options, and not listen to the lies that say only a college degree can equal success.
I can really relate to this. I used to worry about so many things last year. I was only an 11th grader! Well, I finally came to a realization that I did not need to worry about the tuition, or what kind of career I needed. I personally just decided to give/devote my life to Jesus. I know I may not be able to post that on here, but that is my personal realization. Trust me, my life is way better than ever. I just believe that whatever you choose to do, you will do fine. Because you are a great gal Melinda:)!
ReplyDeleteYou can SAY it, Aissha. Gosh.
ReplyDeleteLOL Ms. Fletcher, I didn't mean to sound rude, lol. Sorry. :) It came out wrong lol!
DeleteAt a point in all of our high school lives I'm sure we've all debated on taking other paths other than college and I have been one of those people. I keep debating on if college is worth my time. If I would be able to do it. I'm taking a risk, I'm going to college because I want to see if its for me. I want to take a path that not one of my family members have ever tried and just maybe it'll turn out to be one of the greatest decisions I have ever made. This path is a good one so why not take a jump and see if I can fly.
ReplyDeleteOnce again, Mel, good post. This is extremely relevant to so many people, including myself, because it really is something worth deeply thinking about. The future is a foggy thing, whether one has plans or not, and I feel as though no matter how prepared we all become, we won't know what it will all be like until we're in the thick of it.
ReplyDeleteI'm one of those people who is undecided, but I have decided to attend college because I feel like I can really find myself there while also learning what it is to be truly self-sufficient. I look forward to figuring out what it is I'm good at, what it is I'm not good at, what it is that works for me, whether that's getting a part-time job while attending college and looking for open-mike nights for my musical compositions or whether it's just going to school and working hard to earn straight A's in want of a master's degree in some useful sector. I look forward to becoming MORE than just another statistic, another number, another name written in dust, another automaton marching their way through hoops instead of burning and cutting them all and making them into some unique art piece of a path etched by my own passions. I recognize my other options. I recognize that nothing is permanent also, that I can change my mind at any point. Move, transform, shift, alter. I recognize also that I am not the only one. I am one among so MANY. All of you understand what it is to be a confuzzled emotional teenager, whether you admit to it or not (: We are all under pressure, and although we all have different ideas as to what the future will be like, it's coming either way, and we are so very lucky to be educated enough to know that there are more than ONE option (:
So, no matter what we choose, we must be sure that it is indeed that: A CHOICE.
ReplyDeleteWe ought not to "wait and see".
We ought to ACT, to DECIDE on something, be it risky or full-proof.
Melinda, I know you wish to go into the Marines at this point in time, and you know you have my full support. Even if you change your mind, even if you don't, it will be a choice, and I am one among many who is excited for such prospects.
I'm sorry if I'm rambling. I just have so much within me. So, let me ask you all a few questions:
Do you have a plan? If so, what is it? Are you scared? Are you confident? Why?
Last but not least, Do you think you can become an important figure, and what exactly makes something important and purposeful?
Jezz Ashley! Melinda, you have the right to remain silent! Ashley is just being a little stalkerish. Hahaha :D
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