Stop Asking Teenagers If They're Going To College
Start writing a post
Student Life

Stop Asking Teenagers If They're Going To College

It's Not For Everyone.

8
Stop Asking Teenagers If They're Going To College

For a long time, I thought I would be a kid forever. High school was probably the slowest period of my life so far. Getting up at 7:00 a.m. just to go to school for roughly seven hours and then doing four more hours of homework was just not my scene. Honestly, I think many would agree with me on this. High school classes were much more rigorous and stressful than many of my college courses. So why is this? Why do those who struggle so hard in high school usually do so well in college? I've always asked myself the question over and over and I think I've finally found the answer: In high school, it's not really about the learning. It's about the grades, the reputation of the schools, and the credibility of the teachers (or lack thereof.) When I finally made it to college, it all clicked. I love college because you walk away with more than just the memorization of a subject. You walk away from a class with real information that you can cite without even thinking. It's not all about the test scores. Public schooling is in need of a serious makeover, no doubt. People need to understand the one thing that all high-schoolers are thinking--COLLEGE IS NOT FOR EVERYONE!

When I was in elementary school, there was a poster hanging in the lobby of a little girl in a graduation cap and gown. There it read, in large white lettering: "It's never too early to start thinking about college." Now, in kindergarten, I didn't really think anything of this. I was just a five-year-old in a frilly dress thinking about which Barbie I was going to play with after school. But even though I didn't realize it at the time, that poster was mentally scarring. By the time I was in middle school, teachers were telling me to start taking up extracurriculars so that I could be a well-rounded student by the time I started applying to college. They didn't even ask me if I wanted to go to college. None of the teachers, faculty, or staff ever asked any of us if we actually wanted to go to college. In society today, parents start saving for college before the stick even turns blue.

By the time I was a senior in high school, every relative, neighbor, and family friend started asking me what schools I was applying to. They asked me what I wanted to major in and what college I wanted to go to and I always thought, "What if I wasn't planning on going to college, what would I say then?" There was a good amount of anxiety implanted in each question I was asked. I always just wanted to answer, "I'm seventeen years old! I have absolutely no idea what I want to do with my life!" Really, though, what seventeen-year-old isn't confused about their future to some degree? Especially in the modern era, when everyone already expects you to have it all figured out?

After high school, not going to college is probably the bravest thing you can do. It's like swimming against the current. Your whole life, you're pretty much expected to go to college so that you can get a well-paying job. But if you're good at something technical, why would you go to college for $80,000 a year when you can go to technical school for much less? You can get paid straight out of training, make enough money to support yourself, and most importantly, live debt-free!

So, if you're going to take anything away from this article, it's to stop asking teenagers about their future. As someone who will be a sophomore in college and still has little idea of what she's doing, I'll answer that question for you: "I don't have any idea."


Report this Content
This article has not been reviewed by Odyssey HQ and solely reflects the ideas and opinions of the creator.
Student Life

Waitlisted for a College Class? Here's What to Do!

Dealing with the inevitable realities of college life.

57554
college students waiting in a long line in the hallway
StableDiffusion

Course registration at college can be a big hassle and is almost never talked about. Classes you want to take fill up before you get a chance to register. You might change your mind about a class you want to take and must struggle to find another class to fit in the same time period. You also have to make sure no classes clash by time. Like I said, it's a big hassle.

This semester, I was waitlisted for two classes. Most people in this situation, especially first years, freak out because they don't know what to do. Here is what you should do when this happens.

Keep Reading...Show less
a man and a woman sitting on the beach in front of the sunset

Whether you met your new love interest online, through mutual friends, or another way entirely, you'll definitely want to know what you're getting into. I mean, really, what's the point in entering a relationship with someone if you don't know whether or not you're compatible on a very basic level?

Consider these 21 questions to ask in the talking stage when getting to know that new guy or girl you just started talking to:

Keep Reading...Show less
Lifestyle

Challah vs. Easter Bread: A Delicious Dilemma

Is there really such a difference in Challah bread or Easter Bread?

37072
loaves of challah and easter bread stacked up aside each other, an abundance of food in baskets
StableDiffusion

Ever since I could remember, it was a treat to receive Easter Bread made by my grandmother. We would only have it once a year and the wait was excruciating. Now that my grandmother has gotten older, she has stopped baking a lot of her recipes that require a lot of hand usage--her traditional Italian baking means no machines. So for the past few years, I have missed enjoying my Easter Bread.

Keep Reading...Show less
Adulting

Unlocking Lake People's Secrets: 15 Must-Knows!

There's no other place you'd rather be in the summer.

958805
Group of joyful friends sitting in a boat
Haley Harvey

The people that spend their summers at the lake are a unique group of people.

Whether you grew up going to the lake, have only recently started going, or have only been once or twice, you know it takes a certain kind of person to be a lake person. To the long-time lake people, the lake holds a special place in your heart, no matter how dirty the water may look.

Keep Reading...Show less
Student Life

Top 10 Reasons My School Rocks!

Why I Chose a Small School Over a Big University.

191342
man in black long sleeve shirt and black pants walking on white concrete pathway

I was asked so many times why I wanted to go to a small school when a big university is so much better. Don't get me wrong, I'm sure a big university is great but I absolutely love going to a small school. I know that I miss out on big sporting events and having people actually know where it is. I can't even count how many times I've been asked where it is and I know they won't know so I just say "somewhere in the middle of Wisconsin." But, I get to know most people at my school and I know my professors very well. Not to mention, being able to walk to the other side of campus in 5 minutes at a casual walking pace. I am so happy I made the decision to go to school where I did. I love my school and these are just a few reasons why.

Keep Reading...Show less

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Facebook Comments