We live in this world where we are told that college should be the only option, where all students should focus on being college ready, but I’ve been really thinking: is that really the best option for everyone?
What if we really struggle in school and don’t want to go through another few years of it? What if our goal is to be happy?
I refuse to listen to all the talk about how we can only be successful if we get a degree, get a job, and make lots of money. Sure, if that’s all you care about, then maybe that does sound like a success story. But if anyone is like me and has different values and moralities than those encompassed by the “college-experience,” then maybe I’m right to say that we shouldn’t let people fill our heads with the idea that college is a necessity.
There are other options, so let’s not disregard them. Success in the eyes of an American patriot may be serving their country in the armed forces, and not attending another 4 year institution where they don’t feel adequate. Maybe someone else’s idea of success is to travel around the country and to do odd jobs to get by because they don’t want to be held down in classrooms and end up behind a desk for the rest of their life.
Don’t get me wrong, I respect and even admire those who have the audacity to take on post-secondary school. I just don’t think that we should all be pressured to follow that path.
Gal Shoffet • Dec 6, 2013 at 1:07 pm
Zak couldn’t have said it better. As a post gap year college student I can definitely say that I had the best year of my life, learned a lot about myself and what I want to do with my future, and took opportunities that many people who went straight into college never had the chance to take. There is no rush in going to college immediately and for some, taking some time to catch a breath may turn into the experience of a lifetime.
Zak Newbart • Dec 5, 2013 at 8:07 pm
Take a gap year! It’s really fun, obviously, but it shapes and transforms you in ways you could never imagine. And then you come back with a better sense of what you want to do with your life.
Jessie Neuhaus • Dec 3, 2013 at 7:38 am
Love this! I can’t stand when people say they don’t want to go to college, and get that look like their life is going straight into the garbage..great piece Jake!
Sara B • Dec 2, 2013 at 10:05 pm
I love the concept of this article! Maybe you can discuss more specific options for people who don’t want to go to college right after highschool such as different types of trade schools, paraprofessional jobs, gap years, etc!
Jacob Kaufman • Dec 2, 2013 at 10:11 pm
The point of the piece was a quick, biased rant on the concept-an editorial.
Maxim Belovol • Dec 2, 2013 at 10:04 pm
Great article, Jake!
Sally Alvarado • Dec 2, 2013 at 10:02 pm
And why does college have to follow immediately after high school? It doesn’t, but that’s what tends to be stressed. I find it ridiculous that we spend the first 18 years of our lives in school, and then we’re expected to do more? In my opinion, we should have the freedom to explore our options once we graduate high school before college…there’s a reason why so many students go into college “undecided”.