Whether someone went to college or not, stop bashing their choices!

I remember exactly before my senior year of High School what I wanted my plan to be. I wanted to start at a two year school before going to a four year. I'm glad that it all worked out because in the end all the hard work and motivation definitely paid off. However I would hear throughout some of my peers that they just wanted to skip college and go straight to employment. Of course I never had a judgmental bone in my body when I would hear that, it's just the basis of the facts. College is simply just not meant for everyone. Some did not want to attend for multiple reasons. Not everyone wants to get the 'college experience' the same way that it is traditionally meant to be. But those should not matter because as long as you're receiving an education that is really all that should matter. The mentality that we have when we're younger certainly changes as we get older. I used to think that every college was set up in a traditional dorm setting whether it was community college or a regular university. I also thought that the ones that are in Greek life are the only ones that are allowed to be on off campus housing. Boy would I learn the complete opposite. Being in college over the past couple years has definitely taught me the ins and outs of life that I never would have thought I would have to go through. I'm thankful and grateful for the experience, at the same time I'm proud of the decision that I made amongst myself.

I will never forget one time where someone was coming in to visit a teacher that has given them guidance and inspiration all throughout high school. They were talking about their work experience and how grateful they we're to have gotten what they needed. At the time not being aware of the situation that he was in, I was asking him if he was eventually going to continue his education. He flat out told me 'Pfft, college? Who needs THAT?' That would not be the last time I would hear that. I would get that reaction from many upon several occasions. Of course there would be the 'good for you' comments that I would receive once in a while, but it still got me thinking. What I was thinking about is with all the doctors, lawyers, and teachers we have in the world why would some have the intention to think that it would be a waste of money or time? This is because everyone is different. Not everyone is meant to go to college just how it is not meant for most people to have a job. Some simply want to go into employment or even the military for many reasons. One is debt. No one wants to have the burden of having student loans. They are not the best nor are they fun to pay back. That is 100% understandable. The second is the cost. College is expensive and is even more expensive than it was many years ago. It's tons to save up for and tons to pay back. The third would certainly have to be the workload. Once again, it is not meant for everyone. There are people out there in this world that would rather learn something from someone else rather than learning it from a textbook or reading assignment. I get it, they are boring and it's almost compared to watching paint dry on the wall. If the reading is not for recreational reasons, no one enjoys doing them. Also, if the person just did not enjoy school as a whole, why waste time going somewhere they just truly do not belong at.

Everyone is allowed to make their own decisions, but one thing that someone should not do is that they should not bash someone based on the decisions that they made. If someone voluntarily did not decide to continue their education so be it. If someone decided that they want to get a further education for the next couple of years, let them. Life has a plan for everyone. It is not meant to be the same for a reason. If we were all meant to do and say the same thing how boring would that be? If you are someone that went to college the last thing someone who did not go wants to hear is 'At least I go into college!' Not only is that disrespectful and rude, but it also takes an in note on how insensitive you are to that person's decision. Maybe they were not financially prepared. Maybe they went and could not finish due to unfortunate circumstances. Or maybe the current job title that they hold was the only thing that was saving them from drowning. By just assuming why someone did not go to college shows awful character on you, and for what that person is going through. The same goes for those that did not attend college to make those that went feel awful about themselves. By throwing out insults such as 'College is such a waste' or 'Is THAT what you want to do?' is unnecessary and hurtful. There are billions of people who attend college simply because they want to get their future careers started, and because education is something that they truly value. By putting people down just because you made a choice not to go just spews out hate and makes you look envious. Nobody should be put down for trying to receive an education. Behind that, some also may be the first in their family to actually get to attend college.

Regardless of what you may think, everyone has different opinions as to what they want to do with the rest of their lives. There is always a story behind everything. Just because someone has a different education opinion than you does not mean that they should be bashed for it. Whether you went straight to employment or straight to college, you had a goal regardless of what anyone says.