We all remember the hectic process we went through our senior year of high school. We had to decide what we wanted to do after graduation, which personally for me was to let my brain relax and run away to a beach. But, instead we are left with making a decision that will affect the rest of our lives. It seems a little crazy to me that we are given that burden at the mere age of 18, but here are some of the great things we have all heard during that time period:
1. "College will be the best time of your life!"
Don't get me wrong, I love college, but the stress that comes with it sometimes overpowers that love! I thought I had it bad in my AP high school classes, but little did I know it could actually be worse. You have to learn how to manage working (sometimes full time), being a full time student (AKA loads of papers and procrastinated assignments), how to keep up a social life/make friends and figure out your place on campus. Sometimes, its just not the best time of your life.
2. "You have to pick a major, you cannot be undeclared!!!!"
We are 18 making a choice of a career path, which also requires thousands of dollars, so I think this decision is extremely difficult. We don't need people telling us we HAVE to choose right away. In all honesty, most people switch their majors anyways. If you are going for a bachelor's degree of any sort, you need to take core classes which are the same for just about any major. So, relax. You do have some time to switch from undeclared once you get there.
3. "College is a waste of money, you should just go straight to work after graduation and save!!!"
I agree, if you don't know what you want to do with your life, take some time off! There is nothing wrong with not going to college right away. But, when you have decided to go, there will always be that person who tells you college is the wrong decision. Since when is educating yourself wrong??
4. "If you take time off of school, you will never go back."
Yes, you are so right!!!!!!! Just because I took time off to save money, or take a break, or because I medically had to, or even to reevaluate what I want to study, that means that I want to waste all the money I just spent for the degree I won't complete. It is truly awful to tell someone that chances are they won't go back to school, everyone has a different clock for their life.
5. "If you go to *insert big school/school known for partying* all you will do is get drunk and do drugs!!!"
Well, believe it or not folks, you actually can only stay in college based on your GPA and not based on how many beers you shotgunned last night. I think we all know that we have to go to class and cram from finals, but that also means since we did study we deserve to go out and celebrate! There is nothing wrong with making the most of your college experience. Sorry parents and family, contrary to your beliefs it is impossible to be able to stay in college without putting in some work.
