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?

[kimmytree]

Well, I'm going to go to college (next year) mostly for a backup plan. I figure I'll be married soon after finishing, so I may never need the degree. But what if me and my future husband have financial problems, and need another income? Or what if my husband is injured and cant work? Or what if I'm divorced/widowed with children to support? That's when having a college education really pays off. It's like a saftey net.

It's ultimately you're decision, and no one elses. It just depends on what you want to do in life. There's definately nothing wrong with not going though. If you dont go to college, what are your plans after graduating? Living with your parents for a few more years? If that's the case, then I'd definately go to college. You seem like a smart girl... I'm sure you'd get enough scholarships to pay for public college. That's what I'd do, unless you plan on getting married straight out of high school.

Or, if you dont think college will be your thing, what about going to a community college for a year or two, for an associates degree? That wouldnt take too long. You'd make a nice living, especially if you go into something health related. I wouldnt stress about it too much though, you still have three more years. I worried too when I was a freshman. Heck, I had everything planned out. From what I originally planned, the "plan" has changed a bajillion times.