You don’t “need” to go to college.

Let me provide a little backstory for you: I grew up and did everything “exactly as I was supposed to.” I went through the motions of attending elementary school, middle school, high school and started university straight out of high school with the assumption that right after college I would get a job in the field I spent 4 years (give or take) studying.

I wasn’t exactly so chipper about that plan though. Although I engaged in extracurricular activities, I thoroughly enjoyed in high school, I still didn’t exactly have any idea of where I wanted my life to go. I had some hobbies that I was sort of good at, but I didn’t stick to them as much as I could’ve, so they weren’t exactly things that I could use to “make money.” I heard about this idea of a gap year, a.k.a. a short break students take between graduating high school and the start of their first semester of college that could allow them to explore other interests and “find themselves," so to speak. The idea seemed like it was the perfect thing for me. I pitched the idea to my parents but they immediately shut me down.

I was a little stunned… what parent wouldn’t want their child to have a better sense of who they are and what they’re passionate about, so they can go forth and share their gifts with the world? So as I normally do, I asked the simple question, “Why?” To this they responded, “It’s too expensive," which is something I never want to argue about with my parents, so I dropped the idea. I was very disappointed, to say the least, but somewhere between the stress of my senior year of high school and the (early) start of my first semester of college, I let it go. I tried to muster up the excitement for all these new adventures that people promised college would hold and hoped that somewhere in that time, I’d figure it all out.

But I didn’t. I can honestly say that I have never felt more lost, out of place or confused about everything I thought I stood for, than I did during my entire first year of college. I spent the majority of the year stressed beyond belief because I decided to pursue a major that I have never previously considered at any point in my life, and it drove me borderline-crazy.

However, as much as I can I talk about how utterly stressed and miserable I was this year, I personally found that it was important for my growth into the person I am today writing this article for you. Because I went through that stressful situation and tried a lot of options that strayed far from my typical interests, I was able to find reassurance that my interests and passions were authentic. I believe I matured more than I ever thought I could, and I feel more confident in every aspect of my life.

So, maybe taking a year off could have helped me, but I suppose it was God’s plan for me to go through what I did. Honestly, I’m glad he did this for me because I don’t think I would’ve listened to him if I had had a year to relax and do things at my own pace. Sometimes (i.e. almost every time) I need to be put to the test to learn anything new about life.

It sounds as if I’m contradicting my original intentions for this article at this point, but I think I’m changing my point as I continue to write. What I want to say to you all is; follow what you think would be best for you. Trust those little urges you get in the back of your head telling you to take a leap towards something, because most of the time, it will be worth it. If that means attending a university that intimidates you, starting off in a major that you’re not entirely sure about, deciding not to attend university at all or just taking time off to allow yourself time to figure things out without the unnecessary stress of college classes, go for it. I know some people worry that not starting college immediately gives off a certain impression that you aren’t smart enough or you screwed something up, and if that’s the case, then I say don’t worry about what others think because your time off is going to help you and only you. All those other people have no actual effect on your life.

I wish you all the best of luck in your endeavors.