Do you remember playing hopscotch as a kid? Jumping from one square to another trying more challenging moves, lifting your leg up and attempting to keep your balance as you continued playing what you thought was the most difficult game ever? Or losing your balance stumbling out of the whole hopscotch area, realizing you lost the game? That same sensation is what I felt when I realized college wasn't for me.

I wasn't really a huge fan of school in the first place. I don't know why. I mean everyone hates homework and studying, but they grin and bear it, work hard, and get the grades. I, however, lacked motivation, and the school didn't interest me. I had no future dream job I really thought about and had no clue if I even wanted to go to college. But alas my guidance counselor in High School wanted to help me ‘find my niche’ or more honestly wanted me to further my education in any way possible. The path she took was convincing me to go to community college. At first, I hated the idea but eventually warmed up to it. Just like that, I was enrolled in community college. I got through registration and was all set up to attend when it hit me. I realized there was no part of me whatsoever ready for this huge change-- I didn't even know when the first day of classes were! I called their offices and spoke to someone to find out when they started. She was a bit rude on the phone, and because of it I conjured an idea that everyone there was like that. It was then that I made my decision and told her "actually, I've decided I do not want to attend college anymore, so please take me off of whatever list you have marking the incoming students”. After hanging up, I thought wow now my life can just begin. I began working for two years at a minimum paying job thinking I could save enough money for whatever the future held. Boy, was I wrong.

I began feeling like my life had no purpose. I was working two part-time jobs and hanging with friends occasionally but felt like I was lacking something I never knew I needed. After those two years of thinking about my life, I realized I might be ready to go back to school. I'm sad to say it, but I didn't even actually take the first steps in filling out my applications to the school I was thinking of, my friend did. (And stealthily I might add too. You’d think you would start to wonder why your friend was asking about your ambitions and hobbies while typing on her computer.) But it was only at the end she fessed up and I helped her with the last part saying "I'm not going to get in. After all, it's after fall and I'm applying for the spring semester." That spring I showed up for the second semester of school, miles away from home, living in a small dorm. I felt like my life was beginning, and in a way it was. I met countless people that I still treasure to this day, and I had some great teachers that inspired me and showed me I had more interests than just writing. However, even though I was having a great time, I still had not picked out a major and had no idea how to pick one. After about a year and a half there, I moved again to a larger university. It was there I realized I was almost back to square one.

Almost three years of education and I had no idea what I wanted to do. I had almost finished all my general education and had enough to minor in something. After a year there I realized all of that schooling wasn't necessary. I was blindly paying for school even though I wasn't working towards any goal or career. I'm sorry if the title confused you, this is not one of those "help you decide" stories. It's more along the lines of life. I could go on and on about how life is like a roller coaster or life's like a yoyo with so many ups and downs, but in reality, I will say it in the simplest ways life is a story. It's being crafted and written right as you read this. So many things happen in life that you don't expect; it's full of happiness and disappointment. Most people act like they know what they're doing, but nobody knows what's actually going to happen. No one can actually be certain what the future will hold, and that's why you should do what's right for you. You are the one affected in the end.

I am so happy I went to school, and who knows, maybe I will find my way back to that place. But right now, I'm at a place in my life where I know taking some time off is the right choice for me. Sometimes you fall, and you just have to pick yourself back up. To make the decision to go to school is a difficult one, especially in this day and age when it is expected, and when if you don't, people expect you won't get a good job. Even after telling friends, family, and strangers you’re not going to college right after high school, you feel a certain disappointment and almost pity hanging in the air. In all honesty, though, the future is never certain. So if you feel school will be good to further the career you have chosen, then go do it! If you don't know why you're going to school but just want to get it over with, take a step back and think what would be best for you. We're all just playing hopscotch with one leg, hopping around, missing a square, and falling over, but trust me, you'll come out on the other side fine, no matter what happens.