But what if I don't want to go to college? Options

[radhikaeatsraman]

Throughout my life, it has been hammered into my brain that I absolutely must go to college or else I will end up homeless and die and god knows what else. So what did I do? I started worrying about my GPA, my extracurriculars, the awards I "should" get, what I "should" do over the summer, etc. But I have been asking myself this seemingly simple question: Why do I want to go to college?

And I can't answer it. It depresses me, because I've been taking Pre-AP/"higher-level" classes since middle school, (I'm a freshman) thinking all the while that this would help me to obtain something that I thought I wanted.

Sure, you could say that I don't need to worry right now, I'm a freshman, yada yada yada, but high school goes by FAST. I can't be a freshman forever, sadly. (Actually, more like "thank god," but that's not the point. :P)

I have two questions for you, members of createBlog: Why do you want to go to college & what do you think of people who turn down the opportunity to do so?

[fragrance]

I was THE WORST high school student ever. I showed up to class for attendance's sake, but I went to sleep anyway. Didn't take it seriously.. just slacked off.. etc. The thought of college was scary to me, especially when my senior year came..when all this talk of what university to go to and majors and minors, etc. I had no idea what I wanted to.

Anyway I ended up going to a community college. It's not as bad as everyone make it out to be. It's cheaper for me, since I'm not financially well-off. I have to pay for my own tuition so I have to take what's available to me. I learned sooo much even if it's just undergrad stuff. I don't even care about all that shit about fitting into society or whatever: I go to college because I want to expand my horizons. I go to college for myself only. Not to compete with everyone else, not to look "cool" and "mature". Not for superficial reasons that a lot of college students have.

I go simply to become a better person for myself, to learn about things I've never gave a chance to in the past. I find myself still immature and ignorant at the age of 20, but I believe through knowledge I'll be able to grow and mature more. All the career hoopla and benefits come last. College keeps me out of trouble, allows me to have some self-restraint and discipline, and I can be among intellectual peers. Still, I went into college not knowing what I wanted, but after taking some undergrad courses I realized I wanted to become a Nurse. So.. I found my calling in the midst of all the chaos.

College isn't for everyone. Some people don't have the time (they have kids or need to make a living); some people simply don't have the resources (money, information). However. if it is available to you, perhaps if your parents are willing to pay for your education, by all means TAKE IT. Don't let opportunities like this pass you by. Even if you never find your calling, having a little education will never hurt.

Living in this society, you also have a higher chance for success if you are a collegiate. Think about it.